Teletherapy and Tech: Helping Clients Feel Safe Online
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Teletherapy and Tech: Helping ...
For many therapists and clients, teletherapy has gone from emergency workaround to everyday norm. But while the convenience is undeniable, creating emotional safety and therapeutic presence through a screen isn’t always easy.
So how can providers use technology to make telehealth sessions feel just as grounded and connected as in-person care?
1. Eliminate Tech Distractions
First impressions matter. A clean, user-friendly interface, stable connection, and minimal log-in steps can help reduce pre-session anxiety. An EHR with built-in video reduces the need for juggling links or troubleshooting external platforms.
First impressions matter. A clean, user-friendly interface, stable connection, and minimal log-in steps can help reduce pre-session anxiety. An EHR with built-in video reduces the need for juggling links or troubleshooting external platforms.
2. Create Ritual and Routine
Therapy is a sacred space — even online. Start sessions with the same greeting or grounding question. Encourage clients to find a consistent, private space to log in. Repetition and predictability help foster a sense of safety.
Therapy is a sacred space — even online. Start sessions with the same greeting or grounding question. Encourage clients to find a consistent, private space to log in. Repetition and predictability help foster a sense of safety.
3. Address the Awkward Head-On
Laggy audio, frozen screens, or accidental interruptions happen. Normalize them. Let your client know that a glitchy moment doesn’t mean they’re not being heard or supported.
Laggy audio, frozen screens, or accidental interruptions happen. Normalize them. Let your client know that a glitchy moment doesn’t mean they’re not being heard or supported.
4. Prioritize Privacy
Let clients know their session is secure. Explain how your platform keeps data safe (encryption, HIPAA compliance) and reassure them about confidentiality — especially if they're in shared or busy households.
Let clients know their session is secure. Explain how your platform keeps data safe (encryption, HIPAA compliance) and reassure them about confidentiality — especially if they're in shared or busy households.
5. Use Tech for Good
Screen-sharing can be powerful. Whether you're reviewing an emotion regulation tool, co-writing a safety plan, or using a grounding visual, creative use of EHR tools can deepen connection rather than distract from it.
Screen-sharing can be powerful. Whether you're reviewing an emotion regulation tool, co-writing a safety plan, or using a grounding visual, creative use of EHR tools can deepen connection rather than distract from it.
6. End with Intention
Closing a teletherapy session should be just as thoughtful as an in-person goodbye. Reserve time for reflection, recap goals, and re-confirm next steps — it helps clients transition out of “therapy mode” and back into their day.
Closing a teletherapy session should be just as thoughtful as an in-person goodbye. Reserve time for reflection, recap goals, and re-confirm next steps — it helps clients transition out of “therapy mode” and back into their day.
At Patientevity, we believe technology should be a bridge — not a barrier. Our telehealth tools are built for therapists, with the features you need to foster trust, connection, and comfort through the screen.