Video Therapy
Before March of 2020, my practice was located in a lovely office in inner SE Portland. Engaging with my clients via computer seemed unthinkable. When COVID 19 shut down the world, I grieved not being able to share physical space with my clients. I missed making them tea when they arrived for their session, I missed noticing the way they shifted their body position over the course of a session. As time passed, I became accustomed to the limitations and benefits of virtual therapy and now exclusively see clients virtually, connecting with them from an office in my backyard. While video therapy is not the same as in-person therapy (both have benefits and draw-backs), I have come to feel that the connection made in virtual therapy sessions can be just as potent as with in-person sessions. I value video therapy for the access it provides to clients whose schedules or comfort might otherwise prohibit them from engaging in therapy. I've seen clients' lives transformed as a result of video therapy, and I feel confident about its efficacy.
It might be nice for you, as a prospective client, to know where I'll be during our sessions,
so I'll share some photos here:
Benefits of Video Therapy
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Highly convenient in terms of access-- no need to drive anywhere, find parking, and account for travel time.
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If you're a parent, you won't need to find childcare. My partner and I have engaged in many a therapy session while our children watched Daniel Tiger in another room.
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Easy to schedule during the workday, since there isn't any need to travel.
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Can be comforting to engage in therapy from the safety and familiarity of your own space.
Drawbacks of Video Therapy
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Finding a private space can be a challenge.
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Lack of opportunity for therapist and client to read each other's body language.
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Some symptoms might be better treated with in-person sessions and at times clients might need a higher level of care (in-person).