Telecouseling, also known as telehealth or virtual counseling/therapy, is a great way to experience mental and emotional health and healing. This is especially essential during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Below are a few things you, as the client, can do to make sure you get the most out of your online counseling sessions.
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Scheduling
Be sure to schedule your therapy sessions at a time that you can give the therapy session your fullest possible attention. If at all possible, schedule it for a time of day when you are usually well-rested and refreshed. Try to avoid times when you are more likely to be interrupted, increasingly worn out, additionally stressed, or feeling pulled in different directions.
For the parent with kids home all the time now with online schooling and the like, consider nap time, or even very early in the morning before they get up. For the person who works a more traditional job, maybe lunchtime would be a better time for you to schedule your session before you’re worn down at the end of the day.
Ask your therapist about session options that work well with your schedule.
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Take notes
Have you ever wished you had written down that “thing” that you can’t seem to remember the very next day? While in your session, it’s okay for you to take notes too! Maybe your therapist shares an insight that is particularly helpful for you, or you realize a trigger that you need to consider more. Maybe something in the discussion makes you think about your situation with an all-new perspective. Whatever strikes you as helpful or insightful, keep a notebook for your sessions, write them down, and use your notebook as a reference as you progress toward your mental and emotional health.
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Be honest
We often censor ourselves when talking with others, for fear of what they might think about what we’ve said, done, or the thoughts we are having. Your therapist is here to help. Your honesty helps them to have a more full picture of your actual thoughts and experiences, which allows them to more fully assist you. Seek to be transparent, even if it is intimidating or embarrassing.
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Do the homework
Most therapy sessions include homework, often collaboratively determined by you and your therapist, to help you achieve your therapy goals. Take time right after the conclusion of your session to schedule your homework into the week(s) ahead, so it doesn’t get forgotten or put off until the last minute. Homework is a very helpful aspect of your therapy, so it is something you will want to prioritize.
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Establish measurable goals
After discussing with your therapist your struggles, work together to establish measurable goals for your healing path. This helps you have a clear direction of what you’re aiming for and allows you and the therapist to check in about your progress through the therapy process. Remember, it is a process, which takes time. Measurable goals along the way help to establish healthy checkpoints and reasons to celebrate, which often spurs more positive growth and healing.
At New Horizon’s Center for Healing, we would love to be a part of your healing process. Although we are located in the McKinney/North Dallas area, we are happy to serve clients throughout Texas, regardless of their location, with our telecounseling services. You can contact us at (972) 607-9650 to schedule your appointment and begin your healing journey.
