Can therapy be done effectively over Zoom?

Zoom cannot replicate the nuance of in person conversation

Will need photos to make a proper ruling on the question at hand.

Not a chance.

Can't do it masked either.

There are pros and cons like with anything.

As a therapist, I prefer in-person particularly with newer clients that I don’t know well largely because part of our job is observing things like body language/hygiene/etc. for a mental status exam. I also would be very leery of using it with a client that has a history of suicidal ideation or attempts, as you want to make sure you can easily access that client in case of a crisis and potential transport to a hospital.

That said, I think it can be a very useful utility for folks who don’t have easy access to in-person sessions. I have a couple clients that are Telehealth only working here in Louisville that are in places like Eastern Kentucky. I was also able to move my clients to Telehealth today temporarily while we’re dealing with an ice storm. So we don’t lose continuity of those services.

It can also be beneficial to see your client in their own environment. Especially if they’re logging in from home.

Also, when you’re using therapy online you’re using a professional Zoom platform or another HIPAA approved platform where you can’t just log anyone on. I also ask my clients to put away their phones and the like during our sessions.

ETA: It has also been beneficial with clients who have crippling anxiety or have difficulty leaving the home.

quote:

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but only wants therapists who work by Zoom

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Never leaving the house certainly isn't helpful for mental health

With my therapist we’re currently doing Zoom. He was my in-person therapist for years, but then I moved but wanted to keep him. I also travel a ton for work, so it’s good for my schedule when all I need to do is pull over to the side of the road. It works for me, but that may be because we had in-person sessions for years.

My wife had a doctor’s appt over zoom a couple of weeks ago. It was pretty funny watching her hold the camera up to her nose so the doctor could look up her nostrils

My therapist has been doing sessions via face time since pandemic. I don’t mind it….but I already had an established patient-therapist relationship with him.

He is 73 with some health issues so I can understand him wanting to be cautious when he can. I think he still does some in person sessions for other clients.

I'm sure it depends on the person and their approach to therapy.

I did a few sessions years ago and I don't think it would have been a major hindrance, though I'm obviously not an expert. Given I'd signed up for it I was willing to put it all out there without any walls for the counselor to tear down, etc. If someone is viewing it as healthcare and transactional - I'm going to a professional for help and it's in my interest to supply them with everything they need to help me (info, fears, vulnerabilities, whatever) - I don't see it'd be a major issue.

If someone needs to build trust to let their guard down, etc. - Seems like it'd be harder. Whether it would be a hindrance for the therapist seems like a valid, separate issue.

In person is much better. But Zoom is better than nothing. Don’t down her because she wants to do Zoom. Encourage her to start the therapy process however she feels most comfortable. The most important thing is she’s admitting she needs help. Maybe she’ll get to the point where she wants to start taking to a Therapist in person.