Online psychotherapy brings certain challenges, but with availability and patience, we can find the right solutions.

The psychotherapy session is mediated by technology.. That is why it is important to make sure that we have a good internet connection. In addition, it is preferable to conduct the session on the computer, in order to have at your disposal a larger screen. Even when more difficult situations arise, such as the loss of the internet connection, we can find a compromise solution. Thus, it is preferable to continue the meeting by phone, instead of interrupting it.

The responsibility for creating the therapeutic space lies with both the therapist and the client.. Thus, for the sessions held in the office, the therapist is the one who undertakes to arrange the space so that the client feels as comfortable as possible. At online psychotherapy, it is the responsibility of the client to choose a suitable, comfortable place and to have at hand a glass of water and napkins. If at that time the client can conduct the session only on WhatsApp, phone, it is necessary to support it with something, not to hold it with its hand, because this brings more inconveniences: on the one hand it would become tiring, and on the other hand it would not ensure a stable image, but a “trembling” one; also, it may be that sometimes the attention turns to the way the phone is held, thus there is a risk of losing sight of relevant aspects of therapy.

Intimacy, which in the past was given by the psychological office, can now become harder to achieve.. However, when you really want to do psychotherapy, even when you share your living space with someone else, you can find various solutions: talk to those you live with and tell them that you need 50 minutes in which they do not bother you; use headphones; if you have a child, you can establish with your partner that, during the psychotherapy session, they will carry out an activity together. If you do not have room in the living room or bedroom, you can conduct the sessions even in the kitchen, provided you choose a comfortable space (maybe a chair on which to put a blanket to be more comfortable).

Adjustments may be required in terms of positioning, light and sound. Some gestures that in the office meeting, face to face, are natural, in the online session may appear differently. For example, in some cases, the image of the hand approaching the screen is distorted and can be perceived as unnatural. To avoid such moments, we choose the distance, the optimal positioning in front of the computer, which allows us that our gestures are not perceived distorted. Depending on where the light comes from in relation to the computer, the image may be darker or brighter. A dark image can make it difficult to observe mimicry, of subtler facial expressions. Therefore, it is important that the light can be adjusted possibly with a source at hand (for example, a lamp that you can position so that the visibility is as good as possible). And the sound can sometimes require adaptations, depending on the volume of the other’s voice or other possible background noises.

In addition to the challenges, it brings with it, when we talk about online psychotherapy, we can also talk about certain benefits. You can have access to an experienced psychotherapist, even if at a long distance. So, no matter where you are, you can choose your psychologist! In addition, the time saved because you no longer need to physically go to the office can be used for other activities you want to do. However, if during social distancing you have more free time because you have restricted certain activities and, at the same time, difficult moments occur in your life, you can easily call a specialist to give you support.