5 Tips for Successful Online Therapy
#1 – Establish Eye Contact.
We all know how important eye contact is in communication. Establishing eye contact via video therapy is as easy as looking near your camera. So here’s our advice – place the video of your client near your camera and then you’ll be able to maintain eye contact while you’re looking at them!
#2 – Limit Distractions.
Whether you’re at home or in your office, make sure you’re in a calm, comfortable space while you’re providing therapy. Also, think about what’s behind you that your clients will see – try to make sure it’s simple and not distracting. Lastly, consider putting your phone on airplane mode while you’re in session.
In short, do everything you can to be as present as you would be if you were meeting the client in an office.
#3 – Practice!
Before you ever see a client, you should practice with friends, family even colleagues. While practicing, take your guinea pigs – I mean helpful volunteers – through the entire process from setting up an appointment through the end of your session. That way when it’s time for the real thing, you’ll know exactly what you’re doing. 
#4 – Have a back up plan
WiFi goes out. Computers crash. The best laid plans of mice and men…
What do you do when your plan A for connecting with your client doesn’t work? Go to Plan B!
If you’re established a Plan B with your client early on, they’ll know what to expect. We find the easiest solution is a phone call – often this is perfectly adequate for finishing your session!
#5 – Leverage unique opportunities
Online therapy lets you have a session during your busy client’s lunch break from their parked car if it’s all the time they have.
It lets you go with their client as they get themselves prepared the day before a major event.
It even allows you to use a virtual whiteboard to diagram recurring patterns for you pattern.
There’s tons of opportunities with online therapy – don’t be afraid to think outside the box!
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