Online therapy: how it works, who it is suitable for, and what to expect from your first session
What is online therapy?
Online therapy makes it possible to access psychological counselling and therapeutic sessions without visiting a therapy room in person. It can be a practical choice if you do not have a suitable psychologist nearby, travel frequently, or simply prefer to meet from your own environment.
Online therapy is a form of psychological counselling and therapeutic work in which the client and psychologist meet by video call rather than in the same room. The foundation of the session remains the same – conversation, a safe space to reflect on what you are experiencing, and a gradual understanding of the topics you bring.
Online therapy can be particularly useful when in-person sessions are inconvenient for practical reasons. You do not need to travel, and you can join the session from a place where you have enough peace and privacy.
My online sessions take place via Google Meet. All you need is a device with a camera and microphone, a stable internet connection, and a space where you will not be disturbed during the session.
How does online therapy work?
The content of an online session does not necessarily differ significantly from an in-person session. The main difference is the environment in which the therapy takes place. In an in-person session, the therapist provides a calm, safe and uninterrupted space. With online therapy, it is important for the client to create suitable conditions on their side, particularly a place where they have enough privacy and will not be disturbed during the session.
If you decide to have online therapy with me, the first step is to complete a short intake form, which will help me better understand what brings you to therapy. We will then arrange a time for the session together, and before it begins I will send you a Google Meet link.
During the first session, we can focus on your current situation, what has brought you to therapy, and what you would like from our work together. At the end, we can agree on the next steps and the frequency of sessions.
What to expect from your first online session?
You do not need to come to the first session with a precisely defined problem. Sometimes a person knows very clearly what they want to address. At other times, they may simply feel that something keeps repeating, that they have been experiencing tension, dissatisfaction or uncertainty for some time, or that they need to better understand themselves and what is happening in their life.
An introductory session creates space for us to look at your current situation, what has brought you to therapy, and what you would like from our work together. It also gives you an opportunity to notice how you feel during the conversation and whether this way of working suits you.
You do not need to prepare a list of topics or know exactly where to begin. The conversation can gradually develop from what feels important to you at that moment.
Who might online therapy be suitable for?
Online therapeutic sessions can suit people in a wide range of life situations. They can be particularly practical when regularly travelling to in-person sessions is difficult or when you would like greater flexibility.
- you do not have a suitable psychologist nearby,
- you live or work abroad and are looking for therapy in your native language,
- you travel frequently or regularly move between different places,
- you want to save time spent travelling,
- or you simply prefer talking from your own environment.
It is important, however, that you have enough privacy during the session, are able to speak openly, and can give the conversation your full attention without interruptions.
Online therapy from abroad and therapy in Slovak
Online therapy can also be a practical option for Slovaks living abroad. When discussing more personal or emotionally demanding topics, some people may find it more natural to speak in their native language, even if they regularly use another language in everyday life.
A video call also removes geographical distance. If you have suitable conditions for a calm and private session, you can join from abroad without the need to travel regularly.
Online therapy can help maintain continuity of sessions during a move, studies, a work placement, or changes in life circumstances that make regular in-person sessions more difficult.
Online therapy or an in-person session?
Online and in-person therapeutic sessions create somewhat different conditions. There is no single format that automatically suits everyone. What matters most is the environment in which you can feel sufficiently safe, open and focused.
One advantage of online therapy is that you do not need to travel and can join from different locations. In-person therapy, on the other hand, provides a separate physical space where you do not need to manage privacy or the conditions in your own home.
If you are not sure which format would suit you better, you do not need to know before the first session. You can also decide which format feels right based on your own experience.
Can online therapy also involve in-depth work?
Online therapy does not mean that the conversation has to remain focused only on practical or current problems. Therapeutic work can also create space for a deeper exploration of how you experience yourself, your relationships and different situations in your life.
In a depth-oriented psychodynamic approach, attention can gradually turn towards recurring patterns, emotions, inner conflicts, relationship experiences, and the ways in which past experiences influence present-day experience.
It is therefore not only about finding a quick solution to a specific problem. The therapeutic process can create space to better understand what may lie behind certain feelings, reactions or recurring situations.
More about the therapeutic approach →
What topics can you bring to online therapy?
You do not need to have a specific diagnosis or be able to name your difficulty precisely. People seek psychological counselling and therapeutic sessions for many different reasons. These may include anxiety, long-term stress, relationship difficulties, a challenging period in life, or a sense that certain situations and patterns keep repeating.
Therapy can also be a space to explore self-worth, identity, direction in life, meaning, or the need to better understand your own emotions, needs and relationships. Sometimes the first step is simply a sense that your current way of functioning is no longer enough, or that you would like to look at a part of your life from a different perspective.
How to prepare for online therapy?
You do not need to prepare for the content of the session. From a practical point of view, however, it can help to create conditions in which you can focus on the conversation.
- find a quiet and private place,
- check your camera, microphone and internet connection,
- turn off notifications and other distractions,
- if possible, leave yourself a little free time after the session as well.
The most important thing is to have enough privacy during the session so that you can speak without having to worry about whether someone can hear you or might interrupt you.
When might online therapy not be the best option?
Online therapy may not suit everyone. Barriers can include a lack of privacy at home, an unstable internet connection, or finding it difficult to feel comfortable enough for an open conversation over video.
Online psychological counselling is not a substitute for urgent medical or crisis support. If you are in an acute situation in which your health or safety is at immediate risk, you should contact the appropriate crisis or healthcare service where you are currently located.
How to get started with online therapy?
If you are considering online therapy, you do not need to decide in advance how long the work will last or have complete clarity about what you want to address. The first step can be an introductory session, during which we can look at what brings you to therapy and consider the next steps together.
Before the session, you only need to complete a short intake form. We can then arrange a time for an online consultation.