Therapy Toronto > Psychotherapy and You > Phone or Online Therapy Tips

Tips for doing therapy online or by phone
Social distancing doesn’t mean you can’t get help when you need it.

Online therapy is an option offered by many therapists, as is phone therapy. This can be a very effective way of balancing restrictions of movement with the need for mental health help or even just an understanding, empathic ear in this time of anxiety, fear and uncertainty.

Here are some basic considerations to take into account when doing phone or online psychotherapy.

Equipment you will need:

Smartphone or computer with webcam and mic (for online therapy), or a phone connection (for phone therapy).
Relevant apps: There are a number of video calling apps such as Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom, and FaceTime.

You should discuss with your therapist which app(s) you are comfortable with and willing to use, and download it in advance (if you don’t already have it).

💡 Tip #1:
If internet speed is a problem, check if someone else in the house is streaming video while you are having your session.

Privacy

Some of us may be living in close quarters with partners, family members or roommates who are also at home all day. If finding a private space at home for therapy is an issue, it may be time to get creative. A space in the garden, a car or a garage could be an option. If being outside the house or apartment is not a possibility, consider investing in an inexpensive white noise machine (or even a radio or similar device) for the area outside the room you are using for your therapy sessions.

💡 Tip #2:
Every therapist on Therapy Toronto is licensed to work as a psychotherapist by one or more relevant boards and has the hours of experience deemed necessary to qualify for their respective designations.

Choosing a Therapist

So now to actually finding a therapist to work with!

Are you depressed? Want to reduce your anxiety?
Are there specific challenges you would like to work on or aspects of your life you would like to improve?
Or perhaps you feel like you need someone to talk to in these uncertain times?

These are all issues that can be addressed with the help of a psychotherapist.

Studies have shown that the success of psychotherapy has more to do with the therapeutic relationship than the specific modality, so unless there is a specific approach that you favour, the important thing is to find a licensed psychotherapist that you feel you might be comfortable working with.

You can take the first step by checking out their professional profiles (below). Perhaps a specialty they mention will be relevant to your situation. Perhaps something in their profile will speak to you and your concerns. Or perhaps they simply sound like someone you would feel comfortable talking to about your issues and concerns.

💡 Tip #3:
If you have a mental health issue that requires more specialized forms of therapy (such as dialectical behavioural therapy, or DBT), you may also want to ask your prospective therapist in advance if they have experience in those areas.

The next step is to contact them to check their availability and set up a phone or online consultation to see if they might be a good fit for you and your needs.

On Therapy Toronto, our therapists offer a free consultation for people seeking individual therapy for precisely that reason.

Therapy can be a personally rewarding and healing journey, and we wish you well in your search for someone to accompany you on that journey!

Again, here are links that might be helpful to you when looking for a psychotherapist on Therapy Toronto:

Therapy Toronto Online Psychotherapists

Click on a picture to see the therapist's profile and contact information. All psychotherapists on Therapy Toronto are Registered Psychotherapists or Registered Social Workers who are licensed to practice in Ontario.