As a remote therapist, preparing yourself and your clients for online video sessions allows you to get the most out of your time together. Whether you’re new to offering teletherapy sessions or you’ve been doing it for a while, it’s always good to think about how you can better support your clients during your sessions. Here are our tips for how to prepare for video sessions with your online therapy clients.
We’ll cover the practical aspects, such as the technical equipment you’ll need, your camera setup, and the lighting. Plus, we’ll share some ways to get creative with technology and tools you can use in your video sessions.
What technical equipment do you need for online video sessions?
First of all, let’s cover the technical requirements for online video sessions. Here are the basics you’ll need to work with clients online:
1. A laptop (and possibly a backup device)
In almost all cases, you’ll need a laptop to offer online client sessions. A laptop tends to be more reliable and effective than a tablet or a phone as it is more powerful and can run most software. However, it can be helpful to have a backup device like a tablet or a smartphone in case your laptop crashes halfway through a session. In a scrape, you could finish your session on your phone or, at the very least, let your client know what happened.
2. A webcam for video sessions
A camera is a given for your video sessions; you have two main options. Your laptop may already have a webcam built in. If it isn’t too blurry or pixelated, that may be all you need.
However, you might choose to invest in a separate external webcam for your client video sessions. This has two advantages—you can choose one that provides excellent video quality and position it wherever you like. So, you’ll have more flexibility in deciding on your video angles and laptop setup, whereas a built-in webcam is more limited.
3. A headset – ideally with a built-in microphone
Headphones are invaluable for ensuring your client’s privacy and providing good-quality audio. If possible, look for a headset with a built-in microphone. While most laptops have a built-in microphone, it doesn’t always provide great sound quality.
Wired headphones can be more reliable than Bluetooth headphones, avoiding any connection problems. You’ll need to decide between in-ear headphones or a large, over-ear headset. Some people find over-ear headphones more comfortable, but they can be a little distracting on screen and could even make the conversation feel less natural. Either way, you shouldn’t need to spend too much on your headphones.
For your clients: You might like to suggest that your clients use headphones, especially if there is a lot of background noise. However, some people may feel less comfortable with headphones, so be flexible and let them decide what works best for them.
4. A strong Internet connection
Video calls are demanding and can use a lot of bandwidth, so you need to ensure you have a stable internet connection to conduct your sessions. That can be challenging if you’re a location independent therapist who frequently moves around.
If you plan to stay in an Airbnb, you could also ask the host to test the connection speed and gauge if it will be strong enough to hold video sessions. However, as connections often vary, our co-founder Sonia recommends having a backup option such as mobile data on your phone in case of slow internet or power outages. And don’t forget to make sure your devices are charged in case of power outages! (Read more of her tips for digital nomad therapists here!)
Your client will also need a reliable connection; it’s worth mentioning this before your first session so they can prepare beforehand. As internet connections can vary from room to room, they may need to think about where they will connect from.
Setting Up for Your Video Sessions
Beyond the basic technical requirements for online video sessions, there are some other key considerations for your client video sessions. For example, your video setup – where you position yourself, your laptop/webcam, your background, and the lighting in the room.
Here are some things to think about to help you prepare for your video sessions!
Where will you sit for your sessions?
Most people tend to sit in an office chair at a desk for their video sessions – especially if they have a home office. Some people may prefer a standing or adjustable desk.
However, if you don’t have a full office setup, you can get creative. You could sit at the kitchen table, in an armchair, or on a sofa. In any of those cases, having a laptop stand is useful to get the right camera angle – we’ll share more on that below.
Another option is to sit on the floor or use a cushion (or even a yoga mat) for more comfort. Our LIT co-founder, Sonia, is a full-time digital nomad and has found this a practical setup for working from almost anywhere.
While many Airbnbs aren’t set up with workspaces for digital nomads, finding a couple of cushions and a stool or low table for her laptop has been pretty easy, no matter where Sonia is staying. This allows her to get comfortable by sitting cross-legged or stretching her legs from time to time. Plus, then she doesn’t need to worry about her background being different as she just chooses a white wall to sit in front of each time!
We also recommend mixing it up a bit and avoiding sitting in the same position all day. That’s a surefire way to ensure you end up with aches and pains. Don’t forget to take a quick movement and stretch break between client sessions if you can!
Room Lighting
As you’ll be on camera, make sure to consider the lighting in the room, too. Don’t sit directly in front of a window or light, or all your clients will see is your silhouette!
Instead, it’s ideal to have a natural light source in front of you so you’re well-lit. If you’re using the overhead light, you may need to supplement it with a table lamp – and keep in mind when it will get dark. Test this out beforehand so you don’t need to get up and turn on the light during your session.
Your Laptop/Camera Setup
Next, it’s time to prepare your laptop/camera setup. The best practice is to have the camera at eye level so you’re neither looking up nor down at your clients. An adjustable laptop stand is a handy tool as it allows you to choose the exact height of your laptop. But if you don’t have one, you could improvise with a stack of books to raise your laptop to the right level.
You should also consider how far away your camera is from you and how much of your body is visible. Some therapists prefer just to have their head in view, while others opt for more of the upper body as it allows them to communicate via body and hand gestures, too.
As for the camera angle, will you place your laptop directly in front of you, or would you prefer to have it more off-centre, as in a traditional therapy setup? That will depend on your modality, training, and way of working with clients – there’s no right or wrong answer. Finally, it’s helpful if you can see your clients clearly, too. You might need to guide them in getting the right camera angle or distance. That will help with communication and your ability to pick up on their emotions and reactions.
Choosing Your Background
A clean, neat background is ideal for video sessions, as you don’t want your clients to be distracted by what’s behind you. Avoid having any clutter in view – you might need to pick your camera angle wisely!
But you might not want a completely blank space behind you. Instead, you could have a vase of flowers, an ornament, or a candle on display. This creates a nice background, provides visual interest, and creates consistency between sessions, especially if you change locations frequently.
Virtual backgrounds – yes or no? Some people like them as they hide any mess and create a consistent background, but they have drawbacks, too. They look a bit unnatural and make it tricky to show physical props to your clients. More significantly, it could make your clients feel uneasy about privacy if they can’t see where you are and who is in the room with you.
Preparing for Online Video Sessions – The Wrap Up
As you’ve seen, there are a few things you can do to prepare beforehand and ensure your client video sessions go smoothly. From making sure you have all the technical equipment necessary to your laptop and camera setup, these tips should help you feel prepared for any video session!
For more ideas on how to get creative in your client sessions, read our blog post on adapting tools to online therapy here.
Do you have any tips or preparations you do before a video session? Let us know in the comments below!
If you’re looking for more support on your journey as a location independent therapist, start your 1-week free trial and join us inside the LIT Community – our dedicated space for mental health professionals around the globe who are starting or growing their online practices. Inside, you’ll find support, accountability, inspiration, resources, and a network of like-minded colleagues.
