Although the new normal has made virtual counselling a great tool for therapy, adjusting to teletherapy can be hard for anyone. At Inkblot, we want you to get the best out of your counselling - we know it can be hard knowing exactly where to start. We partnered up with Zoe Klein (M.Ed, MSW and Registered Social Worker), an expert Inkblot Therapy care provider, to help us compile a list of 5 easy tips that you can implement to get the best out of your first sessions at Inkblot Therapy. 

1. Outline expectations

Creating a checklist of areas you want to focus on during your sessions can be very beneficial. This allows your counsellor to better understand areas you wish to work on and also allows for you to create goals and regularly keep track of your progress. Your first session will be a way for you and your counsellor to outline what you both are expecting from your future sessions. By outlining your expectations and boundaries, you and your counsellor can find ways to better navigate your relationship and personalize your approach.  

Don’t forget to offer your counsellor feedback. Many counsellors are always looking for ways to grow in their counselling care. 

2. Reserve a time and space for your sessions

Virtual counselling allows for you to connect with your counsellor anytime, anywhere. This is great for individuals with busy schedules or limited free time. Due to this it is good to always be mindful of inputting intentional time blocks for just you and your counsellor. Finding areas with few distractions can vastly improve your sessions as it allows you to focus on the time you have with your counsellor, and uncover meaningful truths about yourself. Creating these spaces will help you be more open and honest.

3. Get comfortable with the platform 

We suggest signing onto the platform ten minutes before your session begins. Arriving early and troubleshooting before sessions is a great way to mitigate the potential of being late or missing a session. Avoid being unprepared by learning how to navigate your account and enter a session on time. If you’re having any difficulties, reach out to our amazing support team, they are always happy to help! 

4. Do your homework

Therapy works best when you are willing to work with your counsellor. It’s great to be proactive and thoughtful about what is learned after your session by taking notes (you can do so in your Inkblot account!) or taking time to reflect after your meeting. If a counsellor assigns light work for you to do, always try your best to look over it before your next session, as it will create a more effective session. 

Inkblot care provider Zoe Klein (M.Ed, MSW and Registered Social Worker) says, “It is important to do your homework so we understand what works and what doesn't. This informs us on how we can work together.”

5. Be yourself

One of the most important things is to be yourself! At Inkblot, we want you to love our counsellors as much as we do and we know that we have the right counsellor for you. Through Inkblot’s personalized matching algorithm, we suggest the best-fitting counsellor based on your needs. This is why we encourage you to be open and honest with your counsellor as we know how much potential your counselling connection can have.

During this time of uncertainty, you are not alone. Many people are finding it hard to adjust so don’t feel shy about opening up, your counsellor is here to help you be the best version of yourself. 

Zoe says, “you will get more from sessions when you are able to show up as your true self. Your therapist will help you through the difficult parts of this”