The Wide World of Virtual Therapy
Recently we have shifted many different aspects of our lives to a virtual setting and therapy is no exception. In-person meetings certainly do have benefits and can provide separate, structured settings for sessions. Typical sessions include a face-to-face chat and while resources and activities are certainly available, they are limited to what is physically in the room. Virtual spaces are far less limited in many ways and have shown to be a great resource for clients and therapists to connect.
Online sessions are often more easily accessible and can be done from almost anywhere. They can make it easier to utilize a wide variety of imaginative activities and resources, including full virtual worlds. Activities and games can be easily accessed which can help maintain focus on the session and the activities can also be chosen based on clients’ interests and strengths.
There are many resources online that provide helpful tips to navigate a variety of situations and emotions. Mindfulness tips and exercises can be quickly accessed in session and help address emotions as they come. Resources used in online sessions can also frequently be accessed from any online device for free meaning clients and families can save them to use anytime. Creating personal online ‘toolkits’ by saving favorite resources can be a great way to proactively prepare for life’s stressors.
Virtual environments can help boost cooperation and creativity. Tools like JamBoard allow users to access a virtual whiteboard where they can share drawings, sticky notes, pictures, and more. This provides more ways to communicate besides simply talking back and forth. Virtual worlds like Minecraft and Roblox allow users to explore immersive environments. Progress can be seen not only through discussions about life and mental health but also visually through the games and worlds that are built and experienced together.
Having the option for online sessions can be very convenient and useful, especially recently. Virtual therapy can be personalized to meet the needs of clients and their families and resources are abundant and often freely available to be used from home. The internet is not a replacement for in-person interactions, but it is instead its own valuable tool that can help foster creativity and community.
Interested in trying virtual therapy for you or a loved one? HHW happily offers teletherapy for clients anywhere in the state of Maryland. Schedule a new client call today to see if we’re a good fit!