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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by winsome on July 9, 2013, at 10:37:43
Can anyone tell me why it may be easier for a therapist to do therapy via Skype vs. in person?
Thanks, Winsome
Posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2013, at 17:52:45
In reply to Skype for therapy, posted by winsome on July 9, 2013, at 10:37:43
I think for convenience for people who can't get to a therapist or so I read? Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on July 9, 2013, at 18:44:02
In reply to Skype for therapy, posted by winsome on July 9, 2013, at 10:37:43
No geological distance?
Perhaps the therapist has some other reason that they're unable to meet at an office?
I don't know of any therapeutic reason for a therapist to prefer it.
Posted by winsome on July 9, 2013, at 18:45:44
In reply to Re: Skype for therapy » winsome, posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2013, at 17:52:45
My therapist wanted to try it part of the time. I asked him if it was easier for him and he said "yes." Do you think it's not needing the office to see me in? Just a computer? Winsome PS I don't really like it.
Posted by winsome on July 9, 2013, at 18:47:57
In reply to Re: Skype for therapy » winsome, posted by Dinah on July 9, 2013, at 18:44:02
I think the problem is he is taking a new job and will not have his office. He will need to use an office to see me. So, perhaps that's the problem?
Has anyone tried it? I think I prefer "in person."
Posted by Dinah on July 9, 2013, at 19:09:03
In reply to Re: Skype for therapy, posted by winsome on July 9, 2013, at 18:47:57
I haven't tried Skype, but my therapist isn't all that good on the phone or with email. I have no confidence in getting the best from him on Skype either. Is your therapist good at non-personal contact?
I think whether I'd consider it would depend a lot on presentation.
I would probably agree to:
"I have a new job, and I don't want to let you down - I want to remain your therapist. I think we're doing good work together. The only way I can see at this point to do that is with Skype. If I get access to an office we can meet in person again."
I'd be less likely to agree to:
"I have a new job, and it would be a lot easier for me to Skype our sessions instead of meeting in person. I'd have to rent time in an office, and it would be really inconvenient."
I suppose that if it was the only way to see him, I would try it. But I'm awfully attached to him. Were I less attached, I might not.
Posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2013, at 21:16:10
In reply to Re: Skype for therapy, posted by winsome on July 9, 2013, at 18:47:57
So it's personal. Is it that therapist doesn't want to rent an office? Or the new job makes it inconvenient? No I wouldn't like it either if seeing in person now. Phillipa
Posted by winsome on July 10, 2013, at 1:44:38
In reply to Re: Skype for therapy » winsome, posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2013, at 21:16:10
It's complicated. My therapist of 12 years is closing his practice. He has many patients. He is willing to see me but partly on Skype and, less so, in person. He has another position with an employer.
As he is not seeing other patients, I am in a tough spot. I don't feel I can easily negotiate. If I push my non-Skype position, I may lose the offer to see me at all. I don't know what to do.
I am very attached to my therapist. I desperately want to continue seeing him. (We have worked so long and come so far). I am afraid the therapy will be very different if on Skype. I don't know what to do.
Perhaps I should wait. He just announced this and is under much pressure from many about leaving. I don't want to ruin my chances of continued therapy. Any advice? Feel desperate.
winsome
Posted by Dinah on July 10, 2013, at 9:04:53
In reply to Re: Skype for therapy, posted by winsome on July 10, 2013, at 1:44:38
Well, if there's no other choice, and you want to stay with him, you'll have to give it a try.
At worst, it won't be the same and you won't want to continue. At best, the compromise of seeing him in person as often as he can, might be satisfactory.
Posted by baseball55 on July 10, 2013, at 19:38:12
In reply to Re: Skype for therapy » winsome, posted by Dinah on July 10, 2013, at 9:04:53
I would have a hard time with Skype -- losing the body language, the sanctity of the office. But I guess if that's the only option, better than losing him completely. Maybe use it to wind down and end. Find another therapist or move on from therapy if you're ready.
Posted by Phillipa on July 10, 2013, at 20:04:40
In reply to Re: Skype for therapy, posted by winsome on July 10, 2013, at 1:44:38
Try it and see how it works out? Phillipa
Posted by alexandra_k on July 11, 2013, at 1:04:52
In reply to Re: Skype for therapy » winsome, posted by Phillipa on July 10, 2013, at 20:04:40
I spoke to my Aussie therapist a couple times via Skype when I was in the US. We just used the audio, though, not the video. It was okay. A little tricky because Skype reception can vary. Might be less of a problem with both parties in the same country, perhaps.
Phone is different from in person. In some ways I liked it better, in other ways I didn't. I could imagine feeling similarly about Skype. There could be different ways of setting up the camera etc for more or less body language.
My therapist used to be deeply skeptical of my emailing him and stuff like that. I guess because his focus was on emotional attunement so more emotional resonance rather than focusing on the content of what I was saying particularly... But then I'm very verbal, so getting rid of the other cues and just working with the content was important to me, at least some of the time. Important for me in coming to have the courage to express the inexpressable -- I think that was a huge part of the process for me... Admitting to feelings / thoughts etc I was deeply ashamed of... Processing them different into something honest that I could live with myself for having.
He seemed to learn something about that. It seemed to surprise him, rather. The writing and revising and working through.
Like how Babble is important to me but we don't get any body language etc cues here... It took him a while before he came to appreciate how deeply connected I could come to feel with people at this site.
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