Therapists clinging to remote work post Covid

[GammaRay]

Why does it seems like so many therapists are clinging to remote sessions with Covid now mostly a memory? This bothers me for three reasons. 1) I can't get that intimate on a Zoom call. 2) I'm concerned about the data being out there on some server somewhere, and 3) I have roommates in the other room who can hear me.

I don't understand why they'd want to keep this up unless it's to reduce their overhead. And adding to that, they haven't even lowered their prices, despite the fact that they're saving money by not renting an office.

This makes me mad because there are some therapists that I'd really like to see, but I really want to do in-person sessions and they aren't offering them.

 

[Friday]

I am face to face ONLY, due to privacy concerns ... but cannot fault Ts for the nation/worldwide ease in finding clients they can help, post covid.

They have lives to live, and businesses to run.

If I want to exert extra effort to get THEM, instead of someone else? I traveled hundreds of miles out my way, before covid, to work with individuals of my choosing.

I see little difference.

 

[whiteraven]

Mine is now fully remote, for much the same reason I won't go back into an office. It's so much more convenient. Took me awhile, and I've had a few times when I wish we could be face-to-face.

My T uses a program that is supposed to be secure. I mean as secure as the internet can be, I guess.

 

[GammaRay]

If I want to exert extra effort to get THEM, instead of someone else? I traveled hundreds of miles out my way, before covid, to work with individuals of my choosing.

I see little difference.

Can you clarify what you mean by this? It's a little unclear to me.

Anyway, I don't think we can compare out-of-office work for most people with out-of-office work for therapists. You can send in a lot of deliverables from anywhere, but for therapists, the meeting is the deliverable, and everything about it contributes to the experience. A phone call isn't therapy. Neuroscientists have even proven that Zoom calls aren't processed the same as in-person conversations.

"Overall, the dynamic and natural social interactions that occur spontaneously during in-person interactions appear to be less apparent or absent during Zoom encounters." - neuroscientist Joy Hirsch

Something Strange Happens to The Human Brain During Zoom Calls

Ever waved goodbye on Zoom and felt super awkward? That might be because your brain doesn't process Zoom conversations the same way as face-to-face conversations, new research reveals, even though you are talking to a real person.

www.sciencealert.com

I think we need to start sending them the message to get back in the office. Or at least lower their rates, but I wouldn't be satisfied with that even.

 

[whiteraven]

A phone call isn't therapy.

For some it is. Some people actually manage therapy better over Zoom. I certainly talk more. And I am a LOT more comfortable, because I'm in comfortable surroundings, and my cats are with me. Plus, it doesn't matter what the weather is doing--we both can make every appointment.

 

[Charbella]

A phone call isn't therapy. Neuroscientists have even proven that Zoom calls aren't processed the same as in-person conversations.

Your opinion is that a phone call isn’t therapy but lots of people find phone calls to be therapeutic. I do some of my calls with my therapist that way because some conversations I do better not seeing his reaction, not having my own personal baggage getting in the way.

Aren’t processed the same does not equal bad. You’re quote is meaningless without context.

It comes down to preference. If you prefer in person YOU need to do the work that requires which might mean driving a long way to get to someone.

Thinking everyone doesn’t like zoom therapy is a lot.

YOU not liking prices, again a YOU thing. Costs have gone up, yep my therapists bottom line also goes up, they live in the same world with groceries, insurance, EVERYTHING costing more, therefore their prices go up with it. If you have insurance your cost is the same no matter what they charge but again that requires YOU to color within someone else’s lines, and I agree that sucks. But blaming therapists isn’t going to solve the problem, if you have so much anger at the profession, good luck finding the perfect one…

 

[Sideways]

I think we need to start sending them the message to get back in the office

Here in Australia, Medicare was extended to to telehealth during Covid, but has now been made a permanent feature. Particularly in mental health, we can’t afford to go backwards - there are too many people who are finally able to access support now, who couldn’t previously.

I still do in-person. But I didn’t really have a problem when we switched to zoom during covid. There’s no one-size fits all with therapy. But in my mind, access to something is critical atm, certainly here where our limited mental health services are still hyperfocused on the central-affluent patients.

 

[brokenpony]

i really need in person therapy for multiple reasons. i don’t know if i could even do only telehealth. def don’t want to be paying for it.

i have actually had some anxiety spikes about not being able to find someone in person if i need to change therapists again, because i live in an isolated place right now, so driving far is not really an option.

i really dislike zooming with my therapist even temporarily when i am out of town. it messes with me. i don’t know if i can even explain how. i just feel like things are off.

 

[No More]

I did a mixture but far preferred online to in person. So much more convenient, easier to access.

To be honest I thought it was a step in the direction of making things more accessible and easier for people rather than less.

Although I will say I was never someone who was interested in somebody’s physical reaction or needed presence & validation. I was there for cold hard skills and brainstorming ideas. So perhaps if you are there for the relationship it might feel a bit harder initially online, but worth trying and sticking with it!

 

[Movingforward10]

My T never went back to in person. Whilst I would love her too, she hasn’t.
i only had a handful of sessions with her in person before the lockdown. And here we are, 4 years later.
zoom has worked for me.I am incredibly attached to her and it has helped me. She hasn’t raised her prices in4 years. I can’t complain.

so it works for me.

 

[somerandomguy]

I think we need to start sending them the message to get back in the office. Or at least lower their rates, but I wouldn't be satisfied with that even.

You are not the only client.

Some people - MANY people - find meeting virtually to fit their schedules extremely well, and actually prefer it to face-to-face meeting.

It may not work for YOU, but you are not the only person who wants therapy.

 

[GammaRay]

@somerandomguy, @Movingforward10, @No More, Are you going into detail about the most disgusting, shameful, humiliating, degrading things that ever happened to you on a Zoom call?