[Pennster]

My therapist and I use Skype really frequently. If one of us is sick or out of town, we usually just switch to Skype. Usually I find this quite close to an in-person session, although once in awhile it doesn't seem enough. Just wondering how other people's experience has been. Overall, the Skype option has been great for me, because it means I have continuity even if we would otherwise not be able to meet in person. For me, being able to have a session every week is important. There have been one or two times where I had something it felt important to discuss in person, but it was rare that I edited myself because we were skyping instead of in person.

I am just curious about other people's experiences. Have you used Skype and has it worked for you?

[stopdog]

I have not tried skype/facetime. I found just using the phone to not work well for me.

[atisketatasket]

I don't like the phone, or at least not doing therapy on it. The way No. 3 did it, there were loooong pauses just like there would be in the therapy room, and it didn't work for me.

I did Skype with No. 3 too. I'd say it was fine for most therapy things, but there are a couple issues where for me it's better to do it in person.

I did phone sessions with t for over 2 years while she lived out of state. Initially we had talked about Skype but she's not real techie and we never tried it. Phone sessions worked really well for me overall. There was quite a bit of stuff that we worked through over the phone, that I would have had a lot more trouble talking about in person because on the phone, she could not see me and more importantly, I could not see her seeing me. I'm comfortable enough with her now that closing my eyes and talking does the same thing.

[junkDNA]

i usually do phone if needed. we skyped one time. i showed him my new apartment and showed him that i still have the moose he gave me. he noticed its antler was missing and he siad to bring it next time. i told him i had saved the antler even tho it fell off like 3 year ago. i brought it and he sewed the antler back on for me

[Luce]

I skyped with ex t for the first time about a week ago. It was weird, but much better than not skyping (we live in different cities, so can't meet face to face). For me it was a poor second to a face to face meeting, but the best of current available options.

I do phone sessions with my therapist quite often when I travel or am on a very tight work schedule and want to save commute time. I never did this with previous T and thought it would not work for me, but my current T offered to try once and I was surprised how well it went. Since then, we use it whenever necessary.

I never did video chat with a therapist and I don't like it with others either, the video part can be more negatively distracting for me than something I like or think is helpful. Skype or FaceTime audio works just as well as the phone though if the line is good.

In general, I prefer face-to-face sessions but the phone can also be good when I am in a mood that I don't want to get out and see anyone or be seen.

[Cinnamon_Stick]

I do online therapy and we have video sessions sometimes. I like it because I can be home for my sessions and I can talk with my therapist daily on top of video sessions. We tried a live text session and I much prefer the live video sessions.

T and I currently live in different countries. we talk mlstly on the phone, sometimes on skype. in session is much much better together, of course. but its all we have for now until she can move back home. shes been gone five years.its hard. but better than nothing,

[therapyishelping777]

I have skype sessions with my life coach who is a T.. and it works really good, I think its personal enough, and it helps to see him, not just hear him. I wouldn't like not being able to see someone in therapy. I like my in person therapy the best, it feels more personal and challenging for therapy. Coaching is a different purpose like coming up with routines that work for life, accountability for growth and practical things, new ways of looking at areas I'm stuck in. I would definately see my coach in person if I could but he's in another state.. I can say however, if my T left to another state and was willing to skype I would in a second because there is no one as good as him.

[musinglizzy]

At my last session with T1, she told me she is going to be gone for a week in October, but that she intends to keep all of her scheduled sessions and either skype or phone. I told her I'd probably just skip therapy that week, but she encouraged me to give it a try. I said I would do a phone session if I needed one, but I have no interest in skype/video chatting. It's kinda stupid, I wouldn't want to "see" myself, or be seen on video. So I told her I would consider a phone session that week. It would be interesting.... sometimes I have a hard time talking to her, and there can be a lot of dead space during my sessions..... but on the phone I'd obviously have to talk. I think it might be easier, actually, so if I need it, I'm willing to give it a try.

[KitKatKazoo]

Originally Posted by artemis-within

I did phone sessions with t for over 2 years while she lived out of state. Initially we had talked about Skype but she's not real techie and we never tried it. Phone sessions worked really well for me overall. There was quite a bit of stuff that we worked through over the phone, that I would have had a lot more trouble talking about in person because on the phone, she could not see me and more importantly, I could not see her seeing me. I'm comfortable enough with her now that closing my eyes and talking does the same thing.

I wish my T would do sessions over the phone for exactly the reasons you cited. I would probably even write down what I wanted to say and then read it--without feeling like she was sitting there watching me read it! I think I would be so much more comfortable--but unfortunately, she won't do it.