In today’s digital age, virtual therapy has become an essential tool for providing mental health support. While it offers convenience and accessibility, it also presents unique challenges in creating the same level of emotional safety and connection as in-person sessions. For mental health providers, ensuring that patients feel secure, supported, and understood in a virtual setting is critical for fostering openness and trust.
In this post, we’ll explore best practices for creating a safe space during a virtual therapy session, from taking a collaborative approach with patients to regulating your safety as a provider.
Safety is collaborative.
Take a collaborative approach to set the atmosphere during a patient and provider session. The best way to meet the needs of each individual is by asking them directly what their needs are.
“We need to continually make sure that our patients are feeling safe in our presence and the environment we’re in, even if that is virtually,” said Karena Heyward, Ph.D., LPC, ACS, VTMHI Clinical Supervisor and Head to Heart LLC Counselor & Consultant. “I often tell my patients to let me know if there are things that need to change, whether it’s adjusting the physical space around us or adjusting how I approach a subject.”
Building safety is both the patient and the provider’s responsibility.
Optimizing your surroundings during a virtual session.
From the provider side, personalize your office/workspace or background to show your personality or interests in small and subtle ways. Offer alternative backgrounds and let the patient choose what is best for them. For example, if a busier background with décor and personal items is overstimulating for a patient, have a simple space that allows for a simple backdrop or create a customized filter with a background if your telehealth platform allows it.
“I like having my belongings on the wall behind me. If I was in a physical office, I would do the same. When I meet with a patient for the first time, I usually have my background as is and offer the option of putting up a divider behind me,” Dr. Howard said.
For the patient, dedicate a few minutes at the beginning of each session to ensure their physical surroundings will allow for a successful session. Ask the patient if they might need to move to a different room or make minor adjustments, like closing the door, making a cup of tea, or sitting in a more comfortable chair.
Create safety in language.
Topics such as race, gender, and identity are constantly evolving. Staying up to date by pursuing professional development helps therapists foster an inclusive and respectful space for their patients. By actively engaging in ongoing training, therapists can ensure they are using current terms and avoiding language that may be outdated or harmful. This commitment to continuous learning is essential for creating a safe and supportive environment where patients feel seen, heard, and respected in all aspects of their identity.
Regulate your safety and mental health as a provider.
Schedule time between virtual sessions to ensure you show up for a patient to serve them best.
“Some of my patients need me to show up to a virtual session more slow-paced and grounded, while others come to a session with high energy,” Dr. Howard said. “There needs to be space in between each of my virtual patient sessions to ensure I have time to reset. When I have back-to-back sessions in a day, scheduling just ten minutes to lay on the floor and do some kind of somatic exercise helps me reenergize and reground.”
Prioritizing your own mental well-being allows you to maintain clarity, empathy, and resilience, which are essential for providing high-quality care.
By incorporating these best practices into your virtual therapy sessions, you can ensure that your patients feel safe, supported, and empowered to engage in meaningful healing, no matter the distance.