Setting Up Your Space For Online Therapy

Online counseling has become the new normal and it is not as scary as you might think. Actually, online therapy has many benefits, such as being able to do it from anywhere with cell range or wifi connection, it enables you to stay in a space you are comfortable in and you don’t even need to travel!

You might be thinking about starting online counseling, but fear of the unknown is stopping you, especially when it comes to doing it from home. Setting up your space will make you feel empowered, allow you to be in control of your environment, and will ease some worries about starting therapy. Below are some ideas on how to make sure you get the most out of your session by how you set up your space. Atmosphere is important, especially when it comes to being vulnerable, and you want to make sure you feel safe and comfortable.

Below are some ways you can do just that.

Find a room 

Whether it is a guest bedroom, an office area, a closet or the kitchen table, make sure your area is private, quiet and well lit. This sounds self-explanatory, but you would be surprised how much better you will feel when you have a designated area for your teletherapy. Not only is it nice to not have to worry about looking for a space for each online session, but it also gives you a moment to prepare for your appointment with your therapist. Doing this will also give you an opportunity to tweak anything that doesn’t work so you can make changes before the next session.

Coordinate schedules

If you live with a partner or roommates, coordinate schedules to make sure you are able to talk openly and freely. Therapy is a time and space specifically for you, and you want to make sure it feels safe and comfortable without the worry of someone else overhearing what you are processing. Being vulnerable and allowing yourself to reflect and grow is important and can be difficult if you do not feel you have privacy. Make sure if you have children someone is able to watch them.

Privacy

If you are in another room and it is not feasible to have your partner or roommate leave, white noise can be very beneficial. You can turn the bathroom fan on, use a regular fan, or play some music outside the door if you do not have a traditional white noise machine. Another idea is to go out to your car if possible, this is a common things clients do to gain privacy and have their own space.

Get comfortable

Typically therapy sessions are about 50 minutes long so you want to find a comfortable chair or place to sit. You want to create a warm, calming and relaxing environment, so try to think of the space your therapist has created for you before you started doing your online session. If you have never been to therapy, try to think of what would make you feel comfortable and relaxed.

Be prepared

Most sessions are about 50 minutes so make sure you grab some water, go to the restroom beforehand, turn your phone on silent, get a blanket or open a window if its warm, have a notepad for notes and have tissues if you have some  This is also a time to take a minute to yourself to think about what you would like to talk about and check in with how you are feeling. Give yourself permission to feel your feelings and be honest with yourself and your therapist.

I hope these ideas help you make a space you feel comfortable and calm in. These simple suggestions can make a huge difference in how you feel when you go into therapy and will help set you up for success. By doing these tricks to prepare your space, you will feel in control, motivated to start the healing process and excited to use the space you have created for yourself. Now is as good a time as ever to dig deep and learn more about what makes you tick, and what better place to do that then being in the comfort of your own home?

 Therapist Akron, Ohio

I hope you found this post helpful. Please reach out if it seems like we could be a good fit, I am an Akron based therapist who is passionate about serving our community. I am a therapist who works primarily with young adults.  I have experience helping  young adults navigate the stressful college years and I very much enjoy counseling college students.  I see a variety of people in my Akron, Ohio counseling office. I treat people with depression, anxiety, religious trauma and gender dysphoria.  Still have questions? Get answers to common questions about counseling here or simply schedule a counseling session today to get started!