Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, many therapists are trying to move their clients over to telephone or online therapy. This is a new experience for most therapists and their clients. Fortunately I have experience and training (Diploma in online counselling) in this field. I thought it might be helpful to write a few words about what you can expect when you start online psychotherapy for your family or child.
Actually making the decision to ask for help is probably the hardest thing. Fundamentally, the objective of online therapy is the same as in person therapy: to understand the current issues and the context of their onset. Then to provide a space where difficulties can be understood so that gently your child and your family are able to overcome these challenges.
When you make an initial contact with me, I will arrange a time for a brief telephone discussion in which I will ask for a few more details. From this we will decide whether I’m able to offer psychotherapy to your child or family. We would then arrange a further consultation either by phone or online. The purpose of the consultation is for me to get an idea around the context and onset of the problems. It is also a time for you to ask questions and have a chance to find out a little about me and the way I work. We would also think about the best way forward for your child and family. It may be that our first session would be with your child and a trusted adult member of the family together. This can help an anxious child to feel safe enough to move towards individual sessions.
Wondering what to talk about can feel quite daunting. However once you start this isn’t usually too much of a problem. With younger children it’s helpful if you can supply creative art/craft materials because it is through play that children often give an insight into their inner feelings. The process is similar with adolescents . Some feel comfortable talking, while others may also want to scribble and doodle or find a different way of communicating their feelings.
Working online feels different to seeing someone in the flesh. In many ways, it is more intense. Turning away from a camera feels different to glancing away across a room. Being able to doodle or find another way of expressing oneself can be helpful way of pacing a session and managing silences.
Finally it’s important to remember that it can take time to see results. Our use of social media and online shopping has made us become accustomed to instant gratification. However we start developing a sense of self from infancy and changing our behaviour and our feelings takes time. I can of you and your child patient and sensitive understanding and we will review how things are going every 6 to 8 weeks.