Online Therapy: Discussing Hesitancy
The use of online therapy is not new.
However, with shelter-in-place orders being issued like Oprah’s showering of gifts (everybody gets a shelter-in-place order), telehealth is swiftly becoming the new norm.
The coronavirus has caught a lot of people off guard - therapists and clients alike. I’ll be the first to admit that I LOVE connecting with clients face-to-face. I’ve also had amazing experiences with strictly online clients. Nonetheless, the sudden shift from the known to the unknown can be unsettling. The thought of learning something new while juggling working from home, being out of work, homeschooling kids, or all of the above might seem a tad bit overwhelming.
I get it. I prefer to ease into things. I like my transitions to be slow and steady, so I have time to shift and adjust without feeling hurried. And yet, at this moment, we’re all being asked to go with the flow of an ever-changing landscape in an experience none of us willingly have signed up for.
And so here we are. The good news is that this will not last forever. Good times and bad times always come to an end...at some point. The bad news is that we have no idea right now when the end is coming.
We’re all doing the best we can with our varied and individual situations.
I’m not writing to convince you that telehealth is the way to go or that you must like telehealth. It’s definitely an individual preference. Instead, I’m going to try to address some of the common responses other therapists have shared with me.
I don’t have time to learn how to use an online platform.
Right. I’m going to guess that a few of you are already learning how to log in and use your company’s online process while also learning how to use your child’s online platform for school work. That’s a whole lot of learning curves already. In my experience, learning curves can be frustrating and stressful. I’m not a fan.
Thankfully, most of the telehealth online platforms have you click on a single button. A few have you download an app if you’re connecting via phone or tablet. Also, your therapist will know how to use their system. I agree to meet with my clients 5-10 minutes before our session via phone so I can talk them through the process and make sure they’re comfortable with the process. Ask your therapist if they can do the same.
Online therapy sessions are impersonal. I’m not going to get anything out of the session.
This is subjective. I will venture to say that for some people, the first session online if previously meeting in person, will seem different. This is for many reasons. But the main one is that it is different than what you’re used to doing. By the second session, you’ll have the hang of it and know what to expect. Here’s the good news. If you like in-person sessions better, you can resume those when this is all over.
It’s not safe to talk about my problems online.
Good news here. The same rules for in-person therapy apply here. What we talk about in therapy stays between us. Therapists are required to use online therapeutic platforms that are HIPAA compliant. This means that your online sessions will be provided over a secure and encrypted connection that is in accordance with the law.
I’ll be distracted at home, or there’s no privacy.
Totally understandable. Not everyone has the privilege of multi-space locations free of others. This is especially true if you and your partner or roommate are home at the same time, if you have kids home from school, or all of the above. It can be equally true of partners who are not supportive of the therapy process or if you don’t feel comfortable discussing your concerns at home with your partner or kids present.
Each situation is unique. My suggestion is to speak with your therapist on how to work around your specific situation. Ultimately, if your safety is a concern, it may mean taking a break from therapy.
Other suggestions include (and if possible) attending the session sitting in your car, going for a walk during your session, asking your partner to take the kids for a walk or bike ride or to play in the yard during your session, schedule your session during nap time, or provide a specific activity that your children do only during your session.
Also, just in case, the Cincinnati Zoo is streaming a live video of a featured animal on its Facebook page every day at 3 p.m. EST. The zoo also provides a children's activity. This may be a good time to schedule a session if your children are fans of the zoo.
And you may get interrupted. Distractions may happen, and that’s okay. When I’m working at home, I give a disclaimer that my dog, Louie, may bark at some point during the session. When it happens, we often have a good laugh and then quickly return to the topic at hand. I’ll say it again. We’re all doing the best we can, and that’s all we can do. Honestly.
I’ll just pause my sessions until this pandemic stuff is all over.
This is definitely an option. We also have absolutely no idea when this is going to come to an end. And I’m going to challenge you a little. Does it feel like you’re at a good place to pause therapy while continuing to do the work on your own? Or is there resistance to online therapy? Or is it financial?
If you’re in a good place, great. Know that your therapist is available to offer support when and if you need it. If you’re having resistance to online therapy, that’s good to know. Reread the above, and possibly reconsider giving it a chance. Also, have a chat with your therapist about your concerns. If it’s financial, again, have a chat with your therapist. They may be able to temporarily work out a reduction in fees or other options so that money isn’t an obstacle to your well-being.
I’m sure there are many more reasons online therapy may not be your first choice for meeting with your therapist. Keep in mind that it’s not forever unless you discover you prefer this way of meeting. Also, please talk to your therapist about your concerns. They will be able to shed light on some of the uncertainty you’re experiencing so you’re better able to make a decision if telehealth will work for you on a short-term basis.
Want to learn more about telehealth or have questions? You can contact me at https://www.heart-mind-soul.com/contact/. I’ll be more than happy to answer your questions.
