My Online Therapy

Technology:

· Please ensure that you have a device that is capable of supporting Zoom. This is the platform I use as it is very secure. If you have any questions about my choice of platform, please ask.

· Please ensure that your internet connection is able to support video conferencing and that you are well within any caps.

· I would recommend the use of a laptop, tablet or iPad on a steady surface wherever possible. I’m happy to take a session over a smartphone if that is your only option, but please bear in mind that you will be trying to hold it steady for an hour and this may become difficult over time.

· It can be helpful to use a personal headphone and microphone, especially if your device is a few years old.

· I will send you a link. You should be able to click on the link and it should take you straight to the waiting room for the meeting. You should not need to download Zoom to be able to use the link. I will let you in when the meeting is due to start.

Your room:

· Please select a room that is private, where other members of your household know not to enter and where you cannot be overheard. It is not suitable for anyone else to be in the room, seen or unseen, during the session.

· Please consider what you would like me to see in the background. You may prefer not to have family photos or other personal items in the background. My background is a blank blind so that it doesn’t distract from our conversation.

· This is probably obvious, but try to make yourself comfortable. You will be sitting in the same spot for an hour, so make sure you are warm, that you are not sitting in the dark or where you will suffer from glare. 

· If at all possible, please ensure that any pets are excluded from the room where you will take the session as they can be very distracting.

· No-one can control everything. If a pet, member of your household or any other distraction does happen, just let me know and we can pause until the distraction has been removed. Don’t feel that you have to try and ignore it so that you don’t disturb the session!

Session:

· Please treat the session as you would if we were meeting in person. Eating and drinking can be distracting and are best left until after the session, although a hot drink or glass of water is perfectly fine.

· You may like to have a box of tissues to hand.

Your first session:

We will talk about what brings you to counselling and what you would like to work on. I have a short form that I will fill in with you. I will also take you through my counselling contract and give you an opportunity to ask questions. This first session will be for us to decide if we are a good fit and if we feel comfortable working together.