Useful tips for Mental Health Consumers:

By Pooja Mamidanna AMFT (103485)

Firstly, if you’re reading this, and you might not have had experience with teletherapy in the past I want you to be extremely proud of yourself. As during this time of crisis, you’re being brave and open to trying this new process out with your therapist and wanting to be engaged in your treatment.

If you are brand new to therapy and have not had experience in the past with in person therapy or teletherapy (as currently due to shelter in place, most providers are still accepting new clients through telehealth), I want you to be proud on how courageous you are to take this step to take care of yourself during this time. 

  1. I have been a consumer of teletherapy as well. When I first started out what helped me, I believe is expressing my anxiety, fears, and ambivalence to teletherapy with my therapist.

  2. Processing with your therapist how the session went for you towards the end (during the last 10-15 minutes of the session), what you liked, what are somethings that you did not feel comfortable with and what are you hoping to get more out of the session.

With my clients as well as being a client myself, I have found this extremely useful in having this space and providing feedback to my therapist. 

  1. The importance of engaging in a self-care activity once you’re done with therapy. I am sure sometimes you have gone to your therapist’s office and you have left feeling really happy and at other times you have gone to therapy and you’ve left feeling more upset and gloomier with what came out of the session.

  2. I always educate my clients on the significance of mindfully engaging in a self-care activity for the efforts made by them in and out of the therapy session. 

This does not have to be something big it can be as simple as taking a hot bath when you get home, drinking your favorite beverage, cooking your favorite meal, going for a walk/run, etc.

  1. Lastly, I came across this wonderful Tool Kit created by a therapist; on a therapist’s group I am part of. 

I hope it helps:

https://7c9c481e-3be3-4cf6-b984-23e370f6db25.filesusr.com/ugd/193308_9a699b61f1c64f198b5e8891b470fd29.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2qA3ejkvGckWNGIdGRH103KTvrEXwfUyiHUJ203SuNAaAkVcHUeOkm5Rk

Take care of yourselves and Stay safe. We will get through this.

Andrea Zorbas