Online Therapy
Video or telephone therapy refers to counselling conducted over the internet or by phone. Many find online sessions via video conferencing particularly helpful, as the option to see each other can enhance communication. If you’re new to video therapy, starting with a reliable platform like Zoom can help ease the transition, and I’m here to answer any questions you may have.
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​​​What is Online Therapy?
Online therapy allows clients and therapists to meet remotely, often via video calls, and provides a flexible alternative to in-person sessions. Through online therapy, you can speak to a professional in the comfort of your own home, ensuring privacy and accessibility while still receiving quality support.
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Can Zoom Be Used for Therapy Sessions?
Yes, Zoom is widely used for therapy sessions. It offers high-quality video and audio capabilities that help create a connected, private experience, making it suitable for effective therapy.​​
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Benefits and Challenges of Online Therapy
Benefits
Convenience: Access therapy from your own home, reducing time and stress from commuting.
Comfort: Wear what you like, enjoy a cup of tea, and focus on feeling at ease in your environment.
Flexibility: Online therapy often allows for more flexible scheduling, especially around work or family commitments.
Continuity: This format ensures you can continue therapy during times when in-person sessions may be challenging.
Proven Effectiveness: Research shows online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy.
Challenges
Technical Issues: Internet connectivity can sometimes be a challenge. Using an Ethernet connection or closing other programmes can help with quality.
Limited View: Video conferencing may restrict us to the top half of our bodies, making eye contact less natural. We may rely on more verbal communication as a result.
Screen Fatigue: Spending extended time on screens can be tiring. We can work together to create a self-care plan that includes breaks and strategies to ease the strain.
What is HIPAA Compliance?
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliance is a U.S. standard ensuring that medical information is kept secure and private. While not a requirement in the UK, many therapists choose HIPAA-compliant platforms, such as Zoom, to provide clients with an added layer of security. These platforms use end-to-end encryption and secure connections, meaning your therapy session remains confidential.
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​​Creating a Private Space
A quiet, private place is essential for effective online therapy. Whether it’s a home office, parked car, or a corner of your room, try to find a comfortable space with minimal distractions. Use headphones to keep the session private and improve audio clarity, and put your phone on silent to reduce interruptions.
Technical Instructions
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When you book an appointment, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to join your session. You can use Zoom directly through this link without needing to download an app, though installing the app may improve connection quality. Typically, if your internet connection is good enough to stream videos smoothly, it will be suitable for video sessions.
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If connectivity issues arise during our session, I suggest trying to reconnect up to three times. If the signal is still not stable enough for a video call on Zoom, we can switch to WhatsApp to continue the session. For any other questions, feel free to reach out by email, and I’ll be happy to assist.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your internet connection is secure and capable of supporting a video call. A stable and private connection helps maintain the confidentiality and effectiveness of our sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I lose my connection during a session?
If you’re disconnected, try reconnecting or switch to an alternate method of contact. Most therapists have a backup plan in place.
How secure are online therapy sessions?
Platforms like Zoom, when set up with HIPAA compliance, ensure that your sessions are private and secure.
Can I use a mobile device?
Yes, you can use Zoom on a mobile device. Just make sure to have a stable internet connection and close background applications.
Technical Instructions
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When you book an appointment, you will receive an automatic confirmation email from my scheduling system followed by a reminder the day before our session. Both of these emails contain the link for you to join the session at the scheduled time.
You may like to download Zoom/WhatsApp prior to our session in preparation, however, no prior download is necessary and you may connect directly from the link provided in your confirmation/reminder emails.
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Video Conferencing Platforms
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I use a video conferencing platform called Zoom in order to protect our privacy and confidentiality. Our calls cannot be intercepted or recorded.
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When Zoom is not available, I use WhatsApp.
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Bandwidth Requirements
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The call quality on Zoom is usually very good. It can be improved by you using an Ethernet connection as opposed to Wi-Fi, however, Wi-Fi or 3G/4G will usually work well too. Our first session may involve trying a few of these options. Usually, if your internet is good enough to stream YouTube or Netflix, it is good enough for video conferencing.
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I recommend closing all other browser windows and programmes running in the background to make the call quality as good as possible.
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Troubleshooting & Reconnection
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In the event that it is not possible to connect using a video conferencing platform, I suggest trying to reconnect three times and then communicating via WhatsApp in order to decide whether to reschedule or try a different method of communication. To use WhatsApp you need to have my number added to your mobile contacts before the initial session.