[*Beth*]

I'm getting used to teletherapy! I've been fighting it like a tiger for about 6 weeks (12 sessions). Yesterday seemed to be a breakthrough. The teletherapy kind of feels like my therapist is visiting me, plus I don't have to drive to the clinic in scorching summer heat. Our video/audio is pretty smooth. I've had fun watching some youtube videos about how to be creative with video conferencing and such.

How are others of you doing with teletherapy?

[Merope]

My teletherapy sessions are also better than I initially thought they'd be. The connection is usually good and he's close to the camera, so I feel like the distance between us is smaller than when we have in-person sessions.

That being said, I do feel like a lot of non-verbal communication is lost and I really miss being in the same room as him. Before the pandemic, I had a whole routine of sitting in a cafe and going for a walk before my appointment, which I really miss. With video sessions, the transition between therapy and life is too abrupt and I feel like I have less time to process what we talked about before having to get on with normal life again.

I'm really glad you're finding it better--I do think that on the whole, teletherapy is less bad than I initially thought it would be. It's certainly much better than nothing. And I'm also glad I got to experience it for a while...I think part of me may miss the simplicity of it when we go back to face-to-face sessions.

[The_little_didgee]

I don't mind it all.

I've been doing therapy via OTN since I moved two years ago for school. My appointments were usually 4 or 5 weeks apart, but since the pandemic started they have been biweekly.

The online appointments sort of remind me of talking on the phone. There is very limited nonverbal communication even with the video, but that is okay. We are able to communicate well.

I have had a few breakthroughs via online therapy.

[nottrustin]

It is has gotten somewhat better. There are still topics I cant discuss because of being home and fear my kids would hear me. The connection is not the same and I struggle because literally all I see is her face and if she moves at all I only see part of it. I love one hour away from her office , the drive time is really important to me. It gives me time to think and process.

However, I am thankful that it is an option. The last few weeks my life has been really difficult. I am thankful she is able to help me work through this. So there is definitely a lot of benefits.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Merope

My teletherapy sessions are also better than I initially thought they'd be. The connection is usually good and he's close to the camera, so I feel like the distance between us is smaller than when we have in-person sessions.

That being said, I do feel like a lot of non-verbal communication is lost and I really miss being in the same room as him. Before the pandemic, I had a whole routine of sitting in a cafe and going for a walk before my appointment, which I really miss. With video sessions, the transition between therapy and life is too abrupt and I feel like I have less time to process what we talked about before having to get on with normal life again.

I'm really glad you're finding it better--I do think that on the whole, teletherapy is less bad than I initially thought it would be. It's certainly much better than nothing. And I'm also glad I got to experience it for a while...I think part of me may miss the simplicity of it when we go back to face-to-face sessions.

I definitely understand the pre-session routine. What I've been doing lately is helping me. I set up my environment to feel like a sacred space. Close my curtains, turn on a soft light, burn incense, and have everything set up well before my session. That routine does help by bringing some control, creativity, and spirituality into the video sessions.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by nottrustin

It is has gotten somewhat better. There are still topics I cant discuss because of being home and fear my kids would hear me. The connection is not the same and I struggle because literally all I see is her face and if she moves at all I only see part of it. I love one hour away from her office , the drive time is really important to me. It gives me time to think and process.

However, I am thankful that it is an option. The last few weeks my life has been really difficult. I am thankful she is able to help me work through this. So there is definitely a lot of benefits.

Having your kids (or anyone else) in your home during a session must be challenging. I really give you credit for making your therapy happen, I'm sure it can be stressful with the kids there. There's no one in my home except me and my cats, so I feel fortunate in that sense.

[Merope]

Originally Posted by BethRags

I definitely understand the pre-session routine. What I've been doing lately is helping me. I set up my environment to feel like a sacred space. Close my curtains, turn on a soft light, burn incense, and have everything set up well before my session. That routine does help by bringing some control, creativity, and spirituality into the video sessions.

Thank you for this! Strangely enough, I didn’t even think of the things I could do to create some sort of routine.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Merope

Thank you for this! Strangely enough, I didn’t even think of the things I could do to create some sort of routine.

You're welcome! I was desperate to make teletherapy easier, so I read some stuff and watched a few youtube videos about how to cope with teletherapy. I learned a lot. Creating my own therapy space has made a huge difference.

[nottrustin]

Originally Posted by BethRags

Having your kids (or anyone else) in your home during a session must be challenging. I really give you credit for making your therapy happen, I'm sure it can be stressful with the kids there. There's no one in my home except me and my cats, so I feel fortunate in that sense.

I am fortunate my kids are young adults. They stay out of the rooms surrounding me. The problem is I often hear them talking which reminds me there and also frequently interrupted the flow and reminds me if I can hear them I need to make sure to talk quietly

[Mountaindewed]

I still don’t really like doing them. But I didn’t seem to mind the last couple two. Maybe it’s my agoraphobia getting bad as ****. Or else I just really didn’t feel like driving all the way to the office. She’s talking about how they are planning on reopening the place. So it looks like telesessions won’t be permanent where I am.

[RosyC]

Still struggling - only managed one video session in full. Glad you’re finding it better though!

[*Beth*]

Well, I'm finally getting used to teletherapy, having a nice sacred space in my home in which to do sessions and actually looking forward to it. So my therapist cancelled our session tomorrow. Figures. Oh, well. We'll have a session on Monday.

[Elio]

I'm starting to get concerned about seeing her in person again. I have terrible object consistency and now the person I saw in person doesn't feel like the same person that I talk to on video. Logically I know it's the same person and all that. My level of comfort around her and other people when there's this type of change in the dynamic/relationship shifts and I don't feel safe with them.