Making Telehealth as Impactful as In-Person Therapy

The shift to telehealth (online therapy) has opened up incredible access to mental health support, often from the comfort and privacy of your own space. But if you’re used to the shared room, the comfortable couch, and the physical presence of an in-person session, you might wonder: can these virtual sessions truly feel as impactful, connected, and meaningful?

The answer is a resounding yes. The heart of therapy is the relationship—and connection isn't limited by a screen. Here are a few ways you and your therapist can intentionally nurture that therapeutic impact.

Setting the Stage for Connection in Virtual Therapy

While your therapist is responsible for maintaining their professional setting, you have agency over yours! Creating a physical environment that promotes comfort and focus is the first step toward deep work, especially when addressing issues like anxiety.

• Prioritize Privacy and Quiet for your Virtual Sessions:

  • Find a spot where you genuinely won't be interrupted or overheard. Use headphones if you can. Knowing your conversation is confidential allows you to drop deeper into vulnerability.

• Create Your Telehealth Comfort Zone:

  • Just like a therapist's office is designed for ease, make your therapy corner intentional. Sit in a comfortable chair, have a glass of water nearby, and ensure the lighting is good. Avoid taking sessions in bed or while multitasking—this sends a signal to your brain that this time is secondary.

• Check Your Tech:

  • Log in a few minutes early to ensure your camera, microphone, and internet connection are stable. Reducing technical friction means more time for emotional connection.

Maximizing Engagement for Relational and Communication Therapy

In a video session, the camera becomes the primary vessel for your relationship. Small intentional actions can bridge the physical distance, making relational therapy and work on communication deeply effective.

• Focus Your Gaze (and Your Energy):

  • It can be tempting to look at your own face on the screen. However, try to look at your therapist when you're speaking. This mimics the experience of actual eye contact that helps you feel connected to your therapist and your therapist attune to you.

• Embrace Pauses and Non-Verbal Cues:

  • Don't rush to fill silences. In fact, pauses can feel more powerful online. Be aware of your body language; even small shifts in posture, hand movements, or facial expressions transmit important emotional information. Your therapist is watching these cues closely!

• Communicate the Vibe:

  • If you're feeling a lag in connection or a barrier due to the technology, it’s okay to mention it! Saying, "I feel like I'm having trouble connecting today," can prompt a discussion that actually deepens the relationship, strengthening the very communication skills you are there to work on.

Using Your Home Environment as a Therapeutic Tool for Anxiety

Telehealth offers unique advantages that in-person therapy simply can't match, especially when it comes to integration and managing intense feelings like those related to anxiety.

• In-the-Moment Grounding:

  • If your therapist teaches you a grounding technique to cope with anxiety, you can use physical objects in your immediate environment—the texture of your blanket, the scent of your tea, the colors on your wall—to practice it immediately.

• Family Sessions Made Easier:

  • Getting all members of a family or couple in the same room for relational therapy can be logistically challenging. Telehealth allows everyone to join from wherever they are, making timely sessions for improving communication more accessible.

• Seamless Transition Back to Life:

  • Telehealth allows you to end your session and then take five minutes right there in your space to process, journal, or practice a coping skill before fully re-engaging with your day. This can be especially helpful for mitigating post-session anxiety or allowing time to integrate what you learned or how you want to further the insights from your session into the rest of your week.

The most vital ingredient in successful therapy—online or off—is your vulnerability and your therapist's attunement. By preparing your space and engaging intentionally, you can ensure that the screen acts as a window to profound change, not a wall.

Ready to try making your next telehealth session for relational growth, anxiety management, or better communication even more intentional? You can learn more about how to contact us here, schedule a call with our Care Coordinator, Jalisa to find the right therapist fit, or schedule a call directly with the therapist that you’d like to work with by clicking the button below.