3 key ways to prep for your first virtual counseling session

You’ve made up your mind and you’re ready to start virtual counseling. Now what? Anticipating the unexpected can have you experiencing a broad range of emotions to include anxiety. It is not uncommon to have all sorts of questions when beginning virtual counseling for the first time. You may have questions like “is virtual counseling the same as in person counseling?”, “how much do I share during the first session?” or “how can I prepare to get the most out of my session?”. If you would like to feel at ease and empowered during your first session, this post is for you.

1. Expect results

So, is virtual counseling just as effective as in person counseling? The answer is yes! Research shows us that virtual counseling is just as effective as in person counseling. In fact, for some conditions such as depression, virtual counseling has been shown to be even more effective with higher retention rates. It is important to note that some conditions are not ideal for virtual counseling. To ensure that you are a good fit for any virtual clinical services it is important to schedule a consultation with a therapist prior to the initiation of services.

2. You choose what to share

It is important to know that just like any other relationship, building trust with your therapist takes time. Yes, you are coming to counseling for help and you also get to disclose what you feel comfortable disclosing as you feel comfortable. One of the strongest factors for successful counseling outcomes is the quality of the therapist and client relationship. Do not feel rushed or pressured to dive into content that you are not yet prepared to share. Rushing ahead and ignoring your personal boundaries can lead to unnecessary feelings of shame and embarrassment. Often clients wonder what their therapist may be thinking of them. Please know as therapists we are not judging you!

3. Prioritize your appointment

Though it may be tempting to drive, eat or multi-task during your sessions, to help you reach your desired outcomes it is important that your session time be treated like any other important appointment you may have. For counseling sessions, meeting in a confidential and comfortable space is essential. Additionally, here are a few other things to consider before joining your virtual session:

• Sign on early to address any troubleshooting needs

• Consider using an ethernet cable for a stronger and more stable connection

• Silence your phone and any other distractions

My gift to you

If you are anything like me, you like to be prepared! To help ease any first session jitters, I’ve created a new client welcome guide for all first time clients (you can see a sneak peek below). This guide will available in your client portal! Not only does this guide outline everything that you need to feel empowered and at ease for your first session, it also serves as a reference guide with helpful resources you may need along your healing journey. If it sounds like we might be a good fit for each other, I encourage you to reach out and schedule a free 15 minute video consultation with me. It would be a pleasure to be of help. I’m cheering you on!

Are there other ways that you would like to be prepared for your first session? Comment below and let me know! I would love to hear from you.