Woo-hoo! Your first online therapy session on the calendar. This is something to celebrate - you have taken a huge step to prioritize your wellness and growth. Now that you have the telehealth appointment scheduled, you may be wondering how you can do your part for a smooth first session. Here some ways you can make sure you have an excellent online therapy appointment!

Tips for a great first online therapy appointment

1. Fill out any pre-session paperwork well in advance of your appointment (24-48 hours in advance is typically requested). This way your therapist will have the opportunity to review them and be prepared to dive in deeper during your session. 

2. Make sure no one else is streaming and using up valuable internet bandwidth! Streaming Netflix or using large MMO gaming takes up a lot of internet, resulting in choppy video or audio. Set your appointment during a time when you can be sure that you will have great internet bandwidth, for example, when no one else is home, or when you know it’s not tv time!

3. Restart your computer. This can help with making sure your system is ready to go, with no weird hangups going on in the background. Check to see if you have any applications open automatically, and consider turning that setting off. 

4. Turn off any listening or recording devices in your home. We are surrounded by handy technology designed for convenience and safety: Siri, Alexa, Google, Nest, other security systems, and more. These devices often fall into the background of our lives and we forget that they can be listening or recording all the time. Take the time to turn these off to protect your privacy and confidentiality. 

5. Grab your pair of headphones that have a mic. Headphones are super helpful. They add an additional layer of privacy, and it prevents distracting audio echo. 

6. Find a private and comfortable place for your session. Find your go-to therapy spot where you can be sure no one else can hear you, you are alone, and you feel at ease and comfortable to talk. Feel free to add little niceties to your therapy area to make it soothing and therapeutic!

7. Review the informed consent and technology backup plan. Note any questions or concerns you have, and bring them up with your therapist. It’s important you know exactly what’s in those documents and what the plans are!

8. A few minutes before your session, go to the link or app provided to you by your therapist. If it takes a bit longer the first time, you’ll have those extra minutes as a buffer so you can be on time for your appointment! Enter any information required. 

9. Take a deep breath and relax. You have made it your therapy session! Enjoy this next part of your healing journey.  

I hope these ideas help you to feel more prepared to have a great first session with your online psychotherapist in Connecticut or Virginia. Don’t forget, you can also reach out to your therapist to ask what else they recommend for you to do to prepare. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to contact me at 860-384-7626 to set up a 15-minute video consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what’s going on and help you find the right therapist for you. If you’re looking for help with anxiety, boosting self-esteem, people-pleasing, or perfectionism, you can read more about how I can help here.

If you’d like to work with me, set up a free 15-minute video consultation by clicking here or call me at 860-384-7626. Let’s chat!

Brittany Hankard, LMFT is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Connecticut and Virginia. Brittany owns an exclusively online private practice called Vibrant Solutions LLC. Brittany loves to help smart, driven, people-pleasing women move from self-doubt and perfectionism to confidence and clarity about their lives. If you are interested in working with her, click here to set up a consult or call 860-384-7626.