What to Know Before Your First Online Therapy Appointment

You’ve done the research, found a fantastic virtual therapist, and signed up for your first online therapy appointment.

But how should you prepare?

Here at KMA Therapy, we understand that you want to know exactly what to expect when attending therapy - even if you’re attending from your bedroom.

After reading this article, you’ll know how online therapy works and how to prepare for your first session.

How Does Online Therapy Work?

An online therapy session will be similar to an in-person therapy session.

Typically, your therapist will send you a link to a secure video platform; you just need to click to enter.

Once you're in session, it'll be the same as in-person therapy.

Your therapist will discuss the reasons you came to therapy and help establish your therapy goals.

Is Online Therapy Secure?

Yes, online therapy is secure. 

Your therapist will use a license of software that's compliant with privacy standards to make sure your conversations and information are confidential.

If you have any concerns, feel free to talk to your therapist about the steps they take to keep your information safe!

The same confidentiality protocols apply to online therapy as in-person therapy.

What Else Should I Know About Online Therapy?

Here are some other things to know before starting virtual therapy:

Have a Good Setup

Your therapist won't judge the background of your video call - so don't worry about making sure your space looks perfect.

However, you want to make sure you can do your therapy session in a place where you can focus and won't be distracted.

Make sure it's private, and you can speak freely without worrying about being overheard.

Also be sure to have a stable internet connection - there's nothing worse than being deep in conversation only to be interrupted by a lagging video feed.

Bring What You Need

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Once you’ve started your online session, you don’t want to have to get up for any reason.

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Make sure to have anything you might need closer by.

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This might include:

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• Water
• Tissues
• A journal and pen

Schedule Your Day Intentionally

Make sure you also prepare for what you'll do after the session is done!

With in-person therapy, there's a natural time buffer after your session. For example, you usually have time to process and decompress when driving home after your session.

With online therapy, there's nothing stopping you from scheduling a meeting or making plans right after therapy - but that doesn't mean you should.

Give yourself some time to process your emotions after leaving your session.

Online Therapy at KMA Therapy

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After reading this article, you now understand how to prepare for online therapy and have the information you need to feel confident during your first session.

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Here at KMA Therapy, we know that therapy needs to fit into your busy life - and our online therapy sessions are here to make it easy.

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Book an online appointment today, or connect with our team if you have any questions.

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Check out our Online Therapy page for even more information.

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If you’re not yet ready to book an appointment, read these articles to keep learning:

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• To explore the perks of online therapy, read: What are the Benefits of Online Therapy?
• To learn how to find your ideal therapist, read: How to Find an Online Therapist in Toronto
• To learn if online therapy will work for you, read: Is Online Therapy Effective? (Pros & Cons)