Prior to 2020 many therapists were hesitant to work online. This was mainly because the relationship that is built between therapist and client is central to the work we do. Is it possible to build a strong therapeutic alliance online, we wondered ? And for those of us who worked with creative elements, was it possible to work this way via webcam?
That is if course till COVID hit and it was necessary to transfer many of our clients online. What we realized is that a strong therapeutic relationship is not dependent on physical proximity. We can, and do, build beautiful relationships with clients we see online including those that reside in different countries and continents. I find that my clients and I soon forget that we are sitting in front of a screen and may be miles apart, speech flows and relationships blossom. All that is needed is a safe space and , consistent time to meet and an openness to whatever develops. The rest is .irrelevant.
Working through artistic and creative mediums, such as art, movement, and physical objects and imagery and metaphor may require a little fore-planning and for the therapist and client to 'think outside the box' but is also possible and often just as beautiful. I find that i am still able to work with the body such as sensations, movements, areas of the body that may feel still and numb, as opposed to those that are more alive and awake, images and metaphors that arise. Mindful body awareness, meditation and guided imagery are also possible. Working this way gives us a lot of information that is present outside of everyday conscious awareness and opens up dialogue between the mind and the body, for example the head wanting one thing, the heart wanting another and possibly the body wanting a third. The possibilities here are endless and as long as client and therapist remain open, tentative and sensitive to two way communication.
These are some things to remember when working with a therapist online:
Find a place that is quiet, where you are undisturbed and private - sometimes a car works best for those that need to talk freely about difficulties at home.
As much as possible stick to the same day and time - consistency relaxes the mind.
Ensure practical things such as good internet connection videocam, headphones, good lighting, close any applications on your desktop and silence your phone,
Arrange your space for your comfort for example a throw or pillow, some aromatherapy oil, a cup of tea... whatever helps you relax and take five minutes before the session to quite your mind, engage your body and see what is present for you in that moment.
Spend some time decompressing after sessions maybe write in a journal, draw a picture, connect with your body to integrate all that is happened..
Check that the therapist has a license to practice in the country she is working from - the internet is full of unlicensed and unsupervised gurus unfortunately. In Malta a therapist needs to have a Warrant from the Psychotherapy Profession Board to call themselves psychotherapists and the first country in Europe to have a law regarding this issue.
If this sounds interesting to you please be in touch with me as i am open to working with individuals all over the world.