Online Therapy-
my Approach
Why online therapy?
Online therapy works for most people who feel comfortable with using technology to communicate with others. One thing that the pandemic showed me is that it is possible to make really strong connections with people over the internet and I found the support of others - in particular, Men's groups - very powerful.
Some people though prefer to meet in person, which is why I decided to offer Outdoor-based 'walk and talk' therapy to those close to my base in Cumbria.
This is me in an ice hole.
Cold water swimming in the Lake District helps to keep me grounded.
Online therapy is a way for you to engage in counselling remotely through the internet using a secure video-conferencing platform. This provides a way for you to see the therapist face to face from your computer whilst engaging in therapy in a place and at a time.that works for you.
Being able to see your therapist gives you the benefits you get from face to face counselling but with the convenience of online therapy from the comfort of a safe and confidential space of your choosing.
By talking you hear tone of voice and by video you see non-verbal communications such as facial expressions. If you want to, you can choose to hide your own image on screen and blur your background for the therapiost.
Will online therapy work for me?
What are the benefits of online therapy?
There are a number of benefits to having therapy online. These include:
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Counselling therapy from your own home at a time that suits you
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Privacy and confidentiality may be more easily controlled
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You may feel more relaxed and comfortable in your own environment
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There is no travelling time or cost
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Security with encryption software offers confidentiality and peace of mind
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about online therapy:
Can online therapy work? One of the most important things about effective therapy is the relationship between the therapist and the client. Over the last few years, I have been a part of a number of Men’s Groups online and have found it much easier than I expected to build strong connections with others in the groups. It is still possible to notice tone of voice, facial expressions and body language that communicate important aspects of an individual’s well-being Research has consistently shown that despite concerns online therapy can be as effective as face-to-face, including for anxiety, panic disorders and PTSD For people in rural areas, online therapy offers access to specialists that it might not be possible to find locally
Are there any drawbacks to online therapy? If you have a severe and enduring mental health condition, online therapy might not be right for you. This is something we can discuss. Consider how secure your Therapist’s platform is and what is happening to your information, which is why I use isosconnect - see below Technology can be unreliable. Whilst the isosconnect platform is reliable, our personal technology can cause difficulties. It is important to consider... How comfortable are you with technology? If this is a concern we can talk about how to make it easier for you to access How reliable is your internet connection? Do you have a confidential space which gives you the privacy you would need to feel relaxed sharing information?
What platform do you use for online therapy? I use Calendly for bookings, which is linked to the Stripe payments system and GoToMeeting. for video-conferencing. All platforms are secure end-to-end encrypted and comply with GDPR.
Do I need to download any software? No, unlike Zoom or Teams, you do not need to download anything. The session will open up within any internet browser on any device.
Online therapy vs in person Having therapy online can help to reduce the stigma of going to see a therapist - especially if you are concerned about others seeing you going into a therapist’s practice It can be easier to schedule online therapy, without the time and cost of travelling to an appointment It can be easier for some people to share difficult information online. This is referred to as the disinhibition effect and while it can be a problem when people share on social media, in the secure environment of a therapeutic relationship, this can be helpful. For people with social anxiety, online therapy can be much more approachable You have much more control over your environment and can have flexibility as to where you take the sessions.
How online therapy works - the practicalities When you book an online session, you will be sent a link by Calendly When you open the link, which is unique to you, you will be asked to type your name I will then be notified that you are in the ‘waiting room’ and will open the session at the beginning of our time together. The video operates in much the same way as Zoom Google Meet or Teams, but feels less complicated. It also has a very accurate Closed Captions facility for visually impaired clients.
Is it secure? GOToMeeting is fully GPPR and has robust video encryption to ensure confidentiality. I will also lock the meeting after you have joined to ensure no unauthorised access.
Are online therapy sessions recorded? Online therapy sessions are not normally recorded I don’t record them and ask my clients not to, in line with GDPR. If you had specific reasons for wanting us to record the session, we could discuss this