Telehealth.
Therapy just got a whole lot easier.
Research has touted its effectiveness.
Consumers of therapy are starting to catch on.
No more travel time, worrying about parking, or sitting in waiting rooms. Less time commuting means greater flexibility in scheduling. Now you can easily meet on your lunch break, while the kids are napping or organize your workday around your appointment all while wearing your go-to yoga pants and drinking coffee from your favorite mug.
While there are essential elements to ensure our success (say that 3 times fast), they are not typically prohibitive and can be easily remedied.
Essential Elements
Your Mindset
Equip yourself with paper and pen to take notes if desired. Have a hot or cold drink nearby, and of course comfortable seating.
Limit your distractions. Leave your phone on silent and out of sight. If possible, turn off notifications on your computer.
Get situated, and log on a few minutes before we meet, It never fails that your computer decides to update at the most inopportune times.
Close your eyes and breathe deeply and slowly. Eventually, you’ll hear me admit you to our session.
Your Meeting Space
Creating a space that feels absolutely private is key. If needed have your phone or Bluetooth speaker playing music outside the door of the room you are meeting in. Some prefer to wear headphones so they can hear what is being said.
It will be important for me to see your beautiful face. If you can, make sure your face is well lit and avoid having bright light including windows behind you.
If it is a viable option, you can sit outside, throw some pillows in a closet or sit in your car (as long as you still have good internet or cellular connection, you are safe, have privacy and your children have appropriate supervision).
Comfort, safety, and privacy are non-negotiable.
Your Technology
If possible, connect with me using a computer, laptop, or tablet and set up the device that allows me to clearly see your face and to hear you. Connecting to your internet via an ethernet cable (CAT 5) will be your best bet.
Streaming music and videos will use bandwidth so ask others in your household to avoid these activities.
If needed, download playlists of music or movies for your children beforehand. Close apps on your computer or tablet and unlink your phones from the wifi.
If you’re concerned about your connection speed you can check it by visiting: https://www.speedtest.net/. Ideally, you’ll want an upload speed of 3.2 Mbps and a download speed of 2.6 Mbps.