Anyone had an experience with 100% online therapy?

[beaneeboo]

On a separate note, I'm still looking into getting funding to receive therapy from a centre which specialises in DD and dissociation. I asked them how that would work given I live far from the clinic and obviously the answer was 'online sessions'.

I mean great to have a potential option for specialist therapy. But I don't see how purely virtual therapy could work that well for someone with a DD. Maybe that's just me though. Maybe others prefer that.

Anyone had an experience with 100% online therapy?

 

[Movingforward10]

My therapist hasn't gone back to in person therapy since the first lockdown in March 2020. I started therapy in Jan 2020, so just had about 6 sessions in person. All the rest has been online. Whilst I don't have a DD diagnosis, or any diagnosis, I think it has helped. Is it better? Would it have been faster in person? Less traumatic? I have no idea.

 

[littleoc]

You might benefit from making a new thread with just that question for a diverse range of answers.

For me, I liked having online sessions for the ability to save gas money and be less likely to be late to an appointment (I struggle with time management). But, I've found being outside my home is helpful, and being physically present in my therapists' (or team) offices can be very grounding. It's also nice to be able to separate yourself physically from your therapy environment. On the other hand, I like the comfort of being in my home and even being in bed at times.

Up to you ultimately. There's no harm in trying it and deciding later if it does or doesn't work out

 

[Movingforward10]

You might benefit from making a new thread with just that question for a diverse range of answers.

For me, I liked having online sessions for the ability to save gas money and be less likely to be late to an appointment (I struggle with time management). But, I've found being outside my home is helpful, and being physically present in my therapists' (or team) offices can be very grounding. It's also nice to be able to separate yourself physically from your therapy environment. On the other hand, I like the comfort of being in my home and even being in bed at times.

Up to you ultimately. There's no harm in trying it and deciding later if it does or doesn't work out

Yeah the benefits of not having to gather yourself for a journey home is really really great. I can just put the laptop down and have a cry. Whereas in person, I would be out in the centre of the city and have to navigate a journey home during rush hour. Too many people, too much time trying to hold it together before I get home and crash.
With parts playing out etc in therapy -that might a bonus?

The major downside is: internet connection failing at times. Not often but when it happens: it is stressful. Parts may struggle with that?

 

[littleoc]

That's true -- not to mention technical difficulties. I've had appointments end early due to my phone overheating before, for example. I was in the car instead of inside for some extra privacy, and the sunlight touching my phone was enough to make it overheat.

I was also sweating like crazy -- I didn't want to waste gas with the car on, didn't feel good about using the fan with the engine cut off, and the sounds had been making it so that my provider couldn't hear me anyway :P

I figured out solutions, but it was annoying at the time. Thankfully just a med appointment

 

[Friday]

I have too many security & privacy concerns to do any therapy that isn’t face to face.

 

[somerandomguy]

All of my therapy, including EMDR, since March 2020 has been 100% online. It's nice to not have to go anywhere, but not so nice trying to protect myself from prying ears (even accidentally).

 

[No More]

Have done a mix. Online is easier in terms of time saving on the travel but I found both equally effective.

I presume if a specialist centre is offering online then they know they are able to work effectively that way. I doubt they’d suggest it if it wouldn’t work? If they are the specialists, then I’d trust their judgement on the matter.

Maybe be open to trying it - if it doesn’t work, no loss, move on. If it does - great?

 

[beaneeboo]

My therapist hasn't gone back to in person therapy since the first lockdown in March 2020. I started therapy in Jan 2020, so just had about 6 sessions in person. All the rest has been online. Whilst I don't have a DD diagnosis, or any diagnosis, I think it has helped. Is it better? Would it have been faster in person? Less traumatic? I have no idea.

I didn't know this! Wow! I'm so intrigued by this and it's positive to know you've had a good experience with it.. thanks for that different perspective

You might benefit from making a new thread with just that question for a diverse range of answers.

For me, I liked having online sessions for the ability to save gas money and be less likely to be late to an appointment (I struggle with time management). But, I've found being outside my home is helpful, and being physically present in my therapists' (or team) offices can be very grounding. It's also nice to be able to separate yourself physically from your therapy environment. On the other hand, I like the comfort of being in my home and even being in bed at times.

Up to you ultimately. There's no harm in trying it and deciding later if it does or doesn't work out

All these reasons make sense... there are pros and cons i guess. And it's about each person just weighing up what's best for them..

I don't live alone and it's very tricky to get a private space for a session during the day... that's a big con... I also think when I dissociate it would feel worse not being in the room... would maybe be easier for the dissociation to spiral .. not sure....

I like the idea of therapy being contained in a different space to where I live...

With parts playing out etc in therapy -that might a bonus?

Yeah that would defo be a bonus..

The major downside is: internet connection failing at times. Not often but when it happens: it is stressful. Parts may struggle with that?

Yeah maybe... probably...

I have too many security & privacy concerns to do any therapy that isn’t face to face.

Also a concern of mine

 

[beaneeboo]

All of my therapy, including EMDR, since March 2020 has been 100% online. It's nice to not have to go anywhere, but not so nice trying to protect myself from prying ears (even accidentally).

Emdr online?! Wow! Didn't know that could be done!

Have done a mix. Online is easier in terms of time saving on the travel but I found both equally effective.

Interesting- thanks for sharing

I presume if a specialist centre is offering online then they know they are able to work effectively that way. I doubt they’d suggest it if it wouldn’t work? If they are the specialists, then I’d trust their judgement on the matter.

Yeah I mean like lots of things in the pandemic i think they realised stuff does work online for people. But I imagine it's an individual thing... I think it's also because there is no one where I live with that specialist knowledge... si its online or nothing.. but I agree if it weren't affective they wouldn't offer it

Maybe be open to trying it - if it doesn’t work, no loss, move on. If it does - great?

Yes I think this is the conclusion I came to

Yes I think this is the conclusion I came to

And I'm wondering if actually doing a hybrid thing between my T (who has good knowledge of me as a person but not about DD) and the DD centre (who have the opposite Knowledge) could work...I don't mean for every session...I mean working as a team...

But not sure how T would take that given the current differences in opinion we have about it all

 

[whiteraven]

My therapist hasn't gone back to in person therapy since the first lockdown in March 2020.

Same here. I haven't done therapy in person since the beginning of 2020. My therapist and I are currently at odds, but I very much prefer being home and online. I don't dissociate nearly as much because I am in my own space with my cats, and I know I don't have to worry about driving all the way home. If needed, I can immediately do something after that is helpful for me--like take a shower or lie down and cry.

 

[gjpj]

Have done a mix. Online is easier in terms of time saving on the travel but I found both equally effective.

I presume if a specialist centre is offering online then they know they are able to work effectively that way. I doubt they’d suggest it if it wouldn’t work? If they are the specialists, then I’d trust their judgement on the matter.

Maybe be open to trying it - if it doesn’t work, no loss, move on. If it does - great?

Hi there, I am seeing my councillor 100% via Skype and after my doctors were treating me for chronic anxiety and headaches my councillor knew it was 2 types of trauma from week one. Acute and vicarious trauma. I work with him weekly and hopefully will get better with time although I'm still struggling with daily headaches and anxiety. My GP put me on propranolol last week only 10mg but it's been horrible with weird headaches, dizziness and generally feeling crap. Hey ho the journey continues.
Wishing you well on your journey.