Online Therapy - Does anyone have experience with this

[miz miranda]

I finally worked up the courage to try gender therapy. For various reasons, I am starting with an online therapist (Covid, Insurance, cost etc.)

 

Has anyone worked with an online therapist? Looking for any feedback good or bad.

 

Secondarily, can anyone point me towards resources on how make the most of your therapy.

 

I'm excited for my first session next Wednesday as well as being anxious and frightened.

 

Thanks

[Mmindy]

Good evening Miz Miranda,

 

Just as the COVID-19 Pandemic started to be taken seriously, I had seven on-line therapy sessions. I have mixed feeling about how they turnout. The most important thing for me was privacy on my end. I wanted to make sure I was home alone, so I didn't have to have an explanation session with others in the house. The therapist was very good with time management, and always allowed me to finish my thought or crying session before moving on. I know she was paying attention because she always had a great recap, and follow up questions before we started our next session. What I didn't like about online healthcare is the absents of body language, and the monotone microphones & speakers.  My insurance paid in full for these seven visits as part of the EAP. They didn't care why you needed therapy as long as you went with their chosen provider. My therapist is now having in office sessions, and I like them much better.

 

Best wishes and positive thoughts as you move through this part of your life needs.

 

Mindy🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

[miz miranda]

@MmindyMindy, Thank You for the feedback!

 

Just the act of setting up the appointment has improved how I feel. Acknowledging I need help is empowering.

[Delcina B]

Way to go Miz Miranda! Most of my sessions have been online, with audio and video. We've met in person at the her office twice & a few support group meetings. I don't mind it & I feel it's as effective as in person for me.

 

Hugs!

Delcina

[Susan R]

On 4/8/2022 at 12:57 PM, miz miranda said:

Has anyone worked with an online therapist? Looking for any feedback good or bad.

Hi @miz miranda My regular therapist and I met for over a year in person prior to covid and then when the lock down occurred, I was forced to switch to online therapy with her. There were some technical kinks early with her that were worked out after she upgraded some virtual TeleHealth software she was using but other than that, it’s been smooth sailing. I actually prefer it over in-person due to the convenience factor since her office is about 30 mins away. She’s now starting to make available in-person masked sessions if we prefer but I’m not wanting to do that quite yet.

 

I’ll add that the overall help I receive and the quality of communication has not changed since going virtual. Did meeting in-person first, help with the initial comfort factor? Maybe just a little, but if virtual therapy is an option that’s available and you have “Covid, Insurance, costs” to consider…I think it’ll be a good option for you try.

 

My 2¢,

Susan R🌷

[miz miranda]

@Mmindy@Delcina B@Susan R Thank you , your feedback helped.

 

I had my first session. It was was stressful, exhausting and liberating. It is a huge step forward for me as it has taken me nearly 30 months to commit to therapy and follow through on it.

 

I found the technology to have some quirks but it felt comfortable after a few minutes.

 

 

 

[Delcina B]

So happy you were able to take the step! I can definitely relate, talking to someone about the secret me I'd kept hidden for so long was all of those.

 

Hugs!

Delcina

[JacobLevado]

I realize I'm late to the party.  @miz miranda I'm glad things went well!  I live in a rural country on the bottom of the world.  For me, online is the only way I'm able to access competent therapy.  Prior to the pandemic, I don't think anyone would have worked with me online -- not only are we online, but I'm seeing someone from overseas.  So, for me, the ability to do this online has been life saving.  That said, I don't think it would work for a formal readiness assessment or anything.  For that I would have to go on a very long waitlist for someone here in NZ, and likely pay significantly out of pocket for anything resembling timely care.

[Michelle_Anne]

On 4/14/2022 at 9:26 AM, miz miranda said:

@Mmindy@Delcina B@Susan R Thank you , your feedback helped.

 

I had my first session. It was was stressful, exhausting and liberating. It is a huge step forward for me as it has taken me nearly 30 months to commit to therapy and follow through on it.

 

I found the technology to have some quirks but it felt comfortable after a few minutes.

 

 

 

I’ve gone through the same. Over the last two years I’ve made and canceled two appointments because I felt like the feelings would come and go plus I was scared.

finally I’ve made a full commitment to myself and this Thursday at 10am is my first appointment and it’s online.  It’s with a gender affirming therapist.  
 

Michelle 

[Ivy]

I've only had a couple of sessions so far.  They were online.  It works fine for me.  But I already knew the therapist from her facilitating a support group I am in.  That was online, but has recently gone to a hybrid model.  I've been driving an hour & half to be there in person for that.  

 

The online sessions are okay, but I think I would make the drive if given the opportunity.

 

In order to get approved for HRT I had to have a session with a different woman.  (a few years ago)  That was in person.  But she quickly put me at ease.  Sometimes it's easier to spill your guts to a stranger.

[miz miranda]

@LimitededitionMichelle, congratulations following through and committing to a first appointment. I hope you have found a therapist that works for you and guides you forward on your journey.

[Susan R]

On 6/6/2022 at 7:19 AM, Limitededition said:

It’s with a gender affirming therapist.

I wish you the best of luck @Limitededition! I think you’ll find the help enlightening and helpful if you put in some work with them. Sometimes it can be very emotional but I know that in my case it would’ve been so much more difficult to get through some of the more difficult points of my transition without my therapist putting things in the proper perspective or getting me to think about something in a different way. Sometimes the obvious is not obvious because of all the denial and suppression techniques we develop as a mental defense throughout our lives. Even on the days when I have a session and I think I won’t need any support, my therapist will give me some useful ‘food for thought’ that keeps me thinking about it for some time after our session. Needless to say, therapy for me has been worth every minute. I hope you learn a lot about yourself and your future path in your new therapist.

 

Warm Regards,

Susan R🌷

[Guest]

On 4/8/2022 at 1:57 PM, miz miranda said:

I finally worked up the courage to try gender therapy. For various reasons, I am starting with an online therapist (Covid, Insurance, cost etc.)

 

Has anyone worked with an online therapist? Looking for any feedback good or bad.

 

Secondarily, can anyone point me towards resources on how make the most of your therapy.

 

I'm excited for my first session next Wednesday as well as being anxious and frightened.

 

Thanks

I have been doing online therapy since I started transitioning last year. It has been a wonderful experience. There are benefits for the patient as well as the counselor. You are in your safe home setting. Nobody can out you walking into the building. The other advantage is that the counselor does not have to fear anything if someone were to get violent. 

 

It is a crazy world for the counselors. Because of the licensing laws, they have to have licensure and provide service to you in the state(s) they are licensed in. During the height of the Covid outbreak, they were allowed to go across state lines with the emergency declarations. That ceased when the crisis was deemed over. Strangely, the psychiatrists have an interstate compact that allows them to give Telehealth counseling across state lines. The psychiatric counselors are trying to get a similar compact. 

 

My counselor has been absolutely terrific. Good luck!

Sincerely

Katie

[Michelle_Anne]

11 hours ago, Susan R said:

I wish you the best of luck @Limitededition! I think you’ll find the help enlightening and helpful if you put in some work with them. Sometimes it can be very emotional but I know that in my case it would’ve been so much more difficult to get through some of the more difficult points of my transition without my therapist putting things in the proper perspective or getting me to think about something in a different way. Sometimes the obvious is not obvious because of all the denial and suppression techniques we develop as a mental defense throughout our lives. Even on the days when I have a session and I think I won’t need any support, my therapist will give me some useful ‘food for thought’ that keeps me thinking about it for some time after our session. Needless to say, therapy for me has been worth every minute. I hope you learn a lot about yourself and your future path in your new therapist.

 

Warm Regards,

Susan R🌷

Thank you. I’ve opened up on here some but this will be my first time telling someone how I feel face to face.  I’m nervous but looking forward to it. 
 

Michelle