Telecounseling offers patients a wonderful opportunity to get the mental health care they need, even during the uncertain time of the pandemic. However, switching to telecounseling can require an adjustment for people who are used to in-person counseling. You can use these four tips to succeed in telecounseling:

1. Dress for the occasion

Many people have been attending school and doing their work at home. Staying home can be marvelously convenient, but it can also encourage people to stay in their pajamas all day. When getting ready for a telecounseling appointment, you should dress for the occasion. You don't have to wear fancy clothes, but try to dress as you would for an in-person therapy session. Many people find that changing their clothes helps to get them in the right mindset for their telecounseling appointment.

2. Find a quiet, private place

One of the virtues of therapy is that it's a completely private experience. Your therapist's office is a safe, private place, but when you're participating in telecounseling, you'll have to make that kind of safe space for yourself. Find a quiet place to conduct your telecounseling appointment. Set yourself up somewhere with good internet access where you can be alone and undisturbed for the duration of your telecounseling session.

3. Make yourself comfortable

Your comfort matters when it comes to telecounseling. Successful counseling sessions require openness and honesty. It's harder to be open when you're feeling uncomfortable. Before your telecounseling session, make sure to put everything you might need within easy reach. It's a good idea to have a beverage and some tissues that you can use if you start feeling emotional. Some counselors will ask patients to do written homework between sessions, so you should make sure to bring any homework you have completed. 

4. Take your counseling sessions seriously

Counseling is a collaborative process. Even the best therapist won't be able to help you if you don't put in the effort required. Approach your telecounseling sessions with the seriousness they deserve. If you commit to being honest and working on yourself, you can get many benefits from telecounseling. You should feel free to bring up any questions or concerns that you may have during the treatment process. In most cases, your counselor will be happy to tell you why they do things a certain way. If a certain approach isn't working for you, it's important to bring it up so adjustments can be made.