Virtual Therapy
Phone & Video Sessions
Many people wonder, "What’s it like doing virtual Somatic Therapy?"
I was talking with a colleague the other day about virtual therapy who is also a therapist who does a lot of virtual somatic work in her practice. We were discussing how surprisingly effective virtual therapy is, especially when the client is given permission to be off camera. Of course, each person is different, and virtual sessions may not be for you, and that is okay.
Somatic Therapy is about understanding what's happening in your internal world, in the realm of your body, and sometimes your imagination. Often, clients experience virtual therapy to feel liberating - to be able to have a guide with them on their somatic journey, without being looked at. This can help folks feel less self conscious about what they look like, so they can focus on what they are feeling.
If we are doing video sessions, I give people permission to face their camera away from them if they prefer, so they don’t have to worry about camera angles or performing attention. We can stay connected through verbal check-ins, This also gives the client agency around how they are perceived and when.
If you are on the phone, this also gives you more flexibility around what environment might be most supportive for you. Maybe you’d prefer to be walking, or in your garden, or even in a parked car. One time I did a phone session with my own therapist while sitting out on a dock underneath Live Oaks and Spanish Moss down in Florida, and a great big alligator started thrashing around in front of me in the middle of our session (I was high up on the dock, no need to worry!) It felt magical and supportive to be connected with the land and other beings.
Therapy is your time and can be tailored for your needs and comfort, and sometimes virtual sessions can help to support that.
I was talking with a colleague the other day about virtual therapy who is also a therapist who does a lot of virtual somatic work in her practice. We were discussing how surprisingly effective virtual therapy is, especially when the client is given permission to be off camera. Of course, each person is different, and virtual sessions may not be for you, and that is okay.
Somatic Therapy is about understanding what's happening in your internal world, in the realm of your body, and sometimes your imagination. Often, clients experience virtual therapy to feel liberating - to be able to have a guide with them on their somatic journey, without being looked at. This can help folks feel less self conscious about what they look like, so they can focus on what they are feeling.
If we are doing video sessions, I give people permission to face their camera away from them if they prefer, so they don’t have to worry about camera angles or performing attention. We can stay connected through verbal check-ins, This also gives the client agency around how they are perceived and when.
If you are on the phone, this also gives you more flexibility around what environment might be most supportive for you. Maybe you’d prefer to be walking, or in your garden, or even in a parked car. One time I did a phone session with my own therapist while sitting out on a dock underneath Live Oaks and Spanish Moss down in Florida, and a great big alligator started thrashing around in front of me in the middle of our session (I was high up on the dock, no need to worry!) It felt magical and supportive to be connected with the land and other beings.
Therapy is your time and can be tailored for your needs and comfort, and sometimes virtual sessions can help to support that.
