What is teletherapy?

Teletherpay simply means you can receive counseling services from the convenience of your own home without having to drive to a therapist’s office. I use a secure platform to connect with you and all you need is a web link to access our session. 

 

Why would teletherapy sessions be of benefit to me?

Teletherapy may be helpful for those with very full schedules who still want to access therapy services but want to do so in an efficient and convenient manner. Teletherapy may also be helpful for those who live in a remote area and have access to limited quality therapy services.

 

Does it feel strange or awkward to have virtual sessions?

It is actually quite similar to having an in-person session as we are still able to make eye contact and see one another's body language.  

 

What do I need to have a teletherapy session?

It is important that you locate yourself in a secure and safe place where you have privacy and internet connection. You will need a standard computer or a mobile device. No special hardware or software are necessary. I incorporate mindfulness in my therapeutic work so you may want to have aromatherapy, a refreshing drink such as lemon or cucumber water, or tea nearby. I utilize our five senses to help calm and stabilize the mind and body. 

 

5 Tips for eliminating barriers to an online therapy session and improve call/video quality:

1.  Restart your computer before a call.  Other software might be using computer power or interfere with your video or microphone. Restarting your computer will assure your computer is refreshed and ready for video. If you don't want to restart computer, at least restart your browser and close unused programs.

2.  Use fast internet with ethernet cable. Video quality adapts to internet speed, so the faster and more stable your broadband connection (or mobile signal), the better the video quality you will receive. If you share internet with others, your quality could be affected if they are also streaming movies or downloading huge files at the same time. 

3.  Use a newer computer with plenty of speed. Sending and receiving encrypted video takes a lot of computer power. Old or slow computers will have a harder time processing the video, which can cause choppiness. Use a new or more powerful computer if possible.

4.  Use headphones. Typically your computer will automatically eliminate echo or audio feedback so you don't hear yourself talking. But if it happens, use headphones to prevent the issue.