Many therapists offer digital therapy as a service to their clients. It is practical for clients as well as therapists. Those who do not live close to a clinic can still receive therapy thanks to digital therapy. During the widespread pandemic, a lot of professional therapists moved their clinics online. The therapists converted their clinic into a virtual clinic by using whatever equipment they could find and having little to no experience. Digital therapy is still a highly sought-after service, even after the pandemic.
Now that digital therapy is here to stay, we will take a closer look at what you can do in order to feel confident as a digital therapist.
Preparing your digital therapy space
The first thing to do is to schedule time to get yourself familiar with both the software and the hardware. Try different software solutions until you find one that fits your demands.
- Does it have the functions you need—a whiteboard solution, a shared screen function, etc.?
- Does it integrate with your patient journal?
- Is it safe in terms of GDPR?
Once you have selected a program, take some time to familiarize yourself with its configuration and the various features you will typically need for digital therapy. It is hard to learn this during client calls, and it might send the wrong messages to your client.
Next, take some time to familiarize yourself with the hardware, including the lights, webcam, and headphones. Try changing the settings and rearranging the devices to better suit your workspace.
Creating a comfortable virtual office
A lot of therapists pay attention to detail when it comes to decorating their clinic. The therapy room should be a welcoming space where the client feels safe and comfortable. As a digital therapist, how can you create such a space digitally?
Try to think of what the client will pay attention to when looking at you during the call. Do you have a noisy background where you sit? What type of atmosphere does the light in your room create? Are you, as a therapist, comfortable with where you sit during digital therapy?
Our background during digital therapy can steal attention away from you. The client can get curious about what’s behind you. The background can also cause distraction; if it's a door, are people going to walk in on the session?
Recreating the therapeutic atmosphere digitally
One way to create a therapeutic atmosphere digitally is to make sure you feel confident enough to invite clients online. By getting to know the equipment you rely on, you are empowered as a therapist.
Being a confident digital therapist also includes having a backup plan when technical difficulties happen. They will most certainly happen. Create a plan together with the client at the start of the therapy. Make a plan for what you will do if one of you experiences problems with the internet connection. By paying attention to possible technical difficulties together with the client, you create a safe digital space.
The distinction between digital and in-person therapy should also be kept in mind when undergoing digital therapy. It is different, but that does not mean it is inferior to in-person counseling. In digital therapy, we only see the other person from the chest and up. It can be challenging to read body language. However, it is simpler to detect the movement of facial muscles. Looking at each other while seated in front of a screen makes it simple to pick up on little details. It is likely that the other person will notice if you multitask.
Small things like this have an effect on the therapeutic atmosphere and the therapeutic alliance. Making sure you have natural eye contact and showing that you pay attention and react to what the client says are important.
Boosting your confidence as a digital therapist
Digital therapy is a great way to reach out to people in need of help with your expertise. Knowledge of how to operate software and hardware that you use in your practice is as important as any other continuing education for therapists. Finding the right tools that make you comfortable as a digital therapist is a good place to start.
