[ticperson500]

Hello everyone

I've recently transitioned to remote therapy sessions because of COVID-19.

As I'm sure we all know, telemental health— namely, live therapy sessions through technology/services like Zoom — has been on the rise in recent years, but is currently spiking because of COVID-19 and the need for everyone to stay indoors.

From what I've heard, many therapists are adapting quickly and transitioning to remote sessions via apps like Zoom, including my own therapist. This is fantastic and is working for a lot of people, but, as I'm sure other patients and therapists on this sub are experiencing, many important parts of our usual therapy is getting left behind at the office.

For example, my therapist and I usually make use of an Oculus VR headset or actual physical objects/things for my exposure therapy. Now, we have to do things verbally or by sending links of images/videos. Additionally, my therapist usually gets a close-quarters view of my reaction and state of anxiety during our sessions, but this is significantly more difficult over video call (webcam quality, lag, etc.)

I'm really interested to hear what others have to say about this. Particularly curious to hear about the ways in which therapists are getting around these issues!

[zoiecat]

I agree. I do EMDR with my T and use the hand buzzers. With virtual therapy I have to tap my own legs for EMDR. My T also cannot judge as easily when I am dissociating. While virtual therapy is not ideal for my issues, it is all we have right now. I'm sure my T will be as happy as I will be when we can go back to in person sessions. It is not easy on either of us. That being said, I guess it is better than no therapy at all even though I would prefer to just take a break until the whole virus thing is over.

[Skeezyks]

Hello ticperson: I can't comment with regard to experiences related to teletherapy. But I noticed this is your first post here on PC. So I simply wanted to welcome you to Psych Central. I hope you find PC to be of benefit.

[autonoe]

My own therapist has said that teletherapy is not as effective as an office visit, in her opinion. Based on my experience so far, I would agree. I feel more self-conscious during online visits because I can see and hear myself, and I tend to say less than I normally would. It's hard.

[nottrustin]

My T and I have used teletherapy a few times over the last couple of years before this whole thing so we have a little bit of experience. For me I can't really get in full therapy mode. When I see her in person and am in her office it is like Instep out of the rest of the world and I leave it there. It is like it is just us.

With teletherapy, I know my family is still in the house plus her family is in the home. I can't imagine actually going into anything deep.

[smmath]

Teletherapy is not my preference for therapy and have found the transition to be challenging. I really miss feeling truly connected with my therapist since we are not in the same room together., however I do think it is getting better for me. I find allowing myself to act in the same ways I do in person to be helpful. For example, today my therapist reassured me that it's okay to break down and cry if I needed to. When I did, it felt similar to being with him. The more I remind myself that we are the same people, the more "normal" this feels. I think it helps to hold onto the fact that he is the same person even though we are apart. He is somewhere else, but in the session, he is still present with me.

I hope this helps!