I have been exclusively working online now since the country went into lockdown in March 2020. I have maintained working online despite restrictions lifting as I personally don’t feel safe working face to face, as I am clinically vulnerable to Covid-19. If anything this move online has helped me develop my specialism of working with those who are in chronic pain and those experiencing long term illnesses. I have been able to work with people all around the country, without the distance between us being a problem. Also it has helped bring therapy to profoundly disabled people, who might struggle to leave the house.
One of the things I’ve learnt to do, as the therapist, in supervision and during my own therapy is to prepare the environment I am about to work in. I thought I’d share by top tips and things to consider when working online with a therapist.
Step 1. Lighting
It’s important to consider the lighting in the room you are working in and any light changes that might happen during the session. Sometimes the room might look bright, but then you start the camera and things look a bit gloomy, especially during the evening. I also consider if the screen is going to be affected by natural light changes- which impacts me personally around sunset- so when I am working then, I will shut the blind in my office.
Step 2. Privacy
You’re in your own home, it might not be possible to be home alone. It is important you feel you can talk freely and in order to do this it is important to make sure you feel you can’t be over heard and make sure that others know not to enter the room you are in during the work. A simple do not disturb sign might be considered.
Sometimes being in your home isn’t an option. I have worked with some people who decide to sit in their cars for therapy. From a safety perspective, I would never work with someone who is driving, but would be happy with sitting in a stationary car.
How I personally overcome this is to make sure nobody comes upstairs, where my office is and communicate when I am working, so there are no disruptions on my end.
Step 3. Tissues
Therapy can be a time to have a good cry- your therapist won’t mind and there is no need to apologise for tears, they are very welcome. When working face to face, I’d always have a box of tissues on hand. I can’t do that online, but a quick reminder that they might be needed.
Step 4. Internet connection
Check your connection before the appointment. Make sure the room you are in has good signal from the router or if you are working on 4G that there is sufficient signal. Theres things we can do during the session if the connection drops- such as turn off the video and as a last resort talk on the telephone. It happens! The internet is an unpredictable element sometimes, but its always good to have a backup plan.
Step 5. Technology
Think about the technology you are using, does it have the right software (if relevant)? Will the power on the device last for the duration of the session? Do all the features work (such as mic and camera)?
Essentially you can work on a mobile phone, which is fine, but it might hurt your arm to hold the phone in selfie mode for 50 minutes. Maybe consider something to hold the phone, or use a device such as a tablet or computer resting on a table in front of you. You could consider using some headphones if you wish. Personally I choose to use Apple AirPods.
Step 6. Drink
Talking for 50 minutes can dry out the vocal chords. You are very welcome to have a non-alcoholic drink at hand. If we were working face to face, I would always offer one. There is nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable because you need a drink.
Step 7. Comfort
You are going to be sitting in one spot for 50 minutes, choose somewhere you are going to be comfortable, including temperature. This is more of a challenge during the summer months, as opening a window might mean privacy is lost. Personally I use a fan to keep me cool during the summer months, so I don’t have to open a window. I also use cushions to support me, so I am sitting comfortably.
Step 8. Distractions
In todays society it is easy to get distracted, particularly by a mobile phone or another screen. I tend to put my do not disturb button on my phone. There is also deliveries to consider- try and make sure that there is someone to accept a delivery on your behalf, or schedule the delivery for another time.
On a different note- children. They might be in another room playing, but are you being distracted by the noise? Maybe consider scheduling therapy for when they are not around to create background noise.
Step 9. After the session
Consider what you are going to do to leave therapy. You are in your space, but it might be important to get up and move about- leave the room you were working in for a bit, go for a short walk, do whatever feels right for you, so you feel like you have physically left the therapeutic space when the call ends.
Conclusion
So there we have it! My 9 tips to preparing your environment for online therapy! When I started working online, I wouldn’t have thought about how important some of these things are, but it is the little things that can make a big difference for therapy going smoothly.
