To help prevent the spread and transmission of COVID-19, social distancing has been recommended by the CDC whenever possible. While social distancing is an important measure meant to protect our physical health, it has wreaked havoc on the schedules of mental health professionals and patients alike as routine, in-person counseling sessions have made the shift to virtual.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Meeting virtually isn\u2019t the same as meeting in-person, so it may feel a little uncomfortable or strange as you adjust. Here are some tips and insights that may help you adjust more smoothly. There are also some benefits to virtual counseling that may surprise you.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Before you agree to online counseling, ask your therapist how they will be providing treatment. Can you also speak over the phone? Will you need to have access to a webcam? Can you send emails or texts? Ask your therapist about any concerns you may have – they should be happy to have a conversation with you and help you develop a plan that makes you feel safe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You should also discuss what you\u2019ll do if any problems occur during your virtual therapy appointment. You may encounter technical glitches, but you may also notice that your progress is slowing or that your appointments are less effective than usual. If this is the case, you may need to consider a new approach – or possibly a new therapist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Have a candid conversation with your therapist about any challenges you might encounter during tele-counseling and make a plan for how you can safely address them as they arise. Talking about your plan beforehand will help you feel more confident and less stressed about speaking up if something does feel off.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s possible that you may enjoy online therapy – you may even end up liking it better than your in-person sessions. Many people find it easier to keep their appointments when they don\u2019t have to commute. It\u2019s also nice to not have to worry about what you\u2019re wearing and you can take your appointment curled up on the couch – or even snuggled in bed – while you chat with your therapist. This is a very attractive benefit for those of us who struggle with social anxiety or depression. It gives you fewer excuses to miss your appointment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You may also find that your therapist\u2019s hours are more flexible as a result of changing patient schedules and not having to commute. That means your appointments are more on <\/span>your<\/span><\/i> schedule which also makes it eas<\/span>ier to attend and keep up with.<\/p>\n Some people find it easier to be forthcoming about embarrassing or difficult thoughts or emotional issues during virtual counseling. The separation of the screen gives you a layer of protection psychologically and makes it feel a little less real and therefore less anxiety-inducing. You may find that you\u2019re talking more freely during your tele-counseling appointment, which can advance your progress significantly.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n One thing that can be very jarring for patients and therapists alike during virtual counseling is the absence of non-verbal cues like body language. You\u2019ll still be able to see one another\u2019s facial expressions if you\u2019re talking via video chat, but not being able to see one another\u2019s body language can feel like a disconnect – especially if you\u2019re used to seeing them in person.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you start to feel unsure of your therapist\u2019s reactions or you feel like they are misreading you, speak up about it. If your therapist is missing vital visual cues about your emotional state, try to correct that with feeling statements. \u201cI feel disconnected,\u201d \u201cI feel sad,\u201d \u201cI feel uncomfortable.\u201d A good therapist will work with you to explore and resolve those feelings. If you notice a feeling of disconnect through several appointments, it may be time to consider a new therapist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n While traditional forms of therapy like talk therapy, marriage counseling, and CBT can work very well virtually, some forms of treatment just weren\u2019t designed to be completed online.\u00a0 Hypnotherapy, EMDR, sand-tray therapy, and other tangible, physical therapies are very challenging to do well virtually. Talk to your therapist about the type of therapy you are receiving and how well it will work online.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_id=”stop” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”rgba(243,243,243,0.43)” min_height=”691.2px” custom_padding=”14px|0px|40px|0px|false|false” custom_css_main_element=”index:99″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”47″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,1_5,1_5,1_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-130px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/chenaltherapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/cropped-CFT-Icon.png” title_text=”cropped-CFT-Icon.png” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,1_5,1_5,1_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-130px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,1_5,1_5,1_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_font_size=”18px” header_letter_spacing=”2px” header_2_font=”||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”12px” text_line_height=”1em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 501.781.2230<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n 870.340.2636<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n 479.595.0333<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Toll-free: 844.755.0530<\/a><\/p>\n Fax: 888. 816.7916<\/p>\n Info@ChenalTherapy.com<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/chenaltherapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/psychology-today-1.png” alt=”Verified by Psychology Today” url_new_window=”on” admin_label=”Image” _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”81%” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”35%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”-15px||” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.01)” always_center_on_mobile=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/chenaltherapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/CARF_GoldSeal.png” alt=”Verified by Psychology Today” title_text=”CARF_GoldSeal” url_new_window=”on” align=”center” admin_label=”Image” _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”81%” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”35%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”-15px||” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.01)” always_center_on_mobile=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_font_size=”18px” header_letter_spacing=”2px” header_2_font=”||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”12px” text_line_height=”1em” custom_margin=”-10px|||-25px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nDon\u2019t Be Afraid to Ask Your Therapist Questions and Make a Plan<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Virtual](\"https:\/\/chenaltherapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-edward-jenner-4031821-267x400.jpg\")
<\/span><\/p>\nThe Benefits of Virtual Counseling<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/chenaltherapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-marcus-aurelius-4064696-267x400.jpg\")
<\/span><\/p>\nPrepare Yourself for the Absence of Body Language<\/span><\/h2>\n
Not All Types of Therapy Work Well Vi<\/span>rtually<\/span><\/h2>\n
If you have questions about virtual counseling, contact Chenal Family Therapy. We have a whole team of <\/span>virtual counselors<\/span><\/a> waiting to work with you!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nContact Us<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n
Locations<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n