How to Prepare for a Telehealth Appointment with a Psychologist - Environment

When you attend a telehealth appointment, the quality of your environment is important. Just as it is when you attend a face-to-face psychology appointment. This is because the room still plays a role in facilitating the therapeutic process.

How you set up your environment and what you include in it can have several benefits. It can help:

• You concentrate

• Provide you comfort

• Regulate you

• Allow you to feel safe enough to express yourself.

Overall, the set up of your space should be one that supports your well-being. A way to conceptualise this to think your 5 senses, touch, smell, sight, sound, and taste.

Here are some suggestions to help you prepare your space for therapy:

-          Headphones

-          A notebook to take notes if you wish.

-          Paper and coloured pens to doodle

-          A blanket and cup of tea

-          Something to fidget with (fidget toy, play dough)

-          A pillow for comfort or to hug

-          Your favourite smells (essential oils, herbs, tea etc)

-          Warm light of a candle

-          A view with some sunshine

-          A support cat

-          A support dog

-          A support animal of whatever your choice (reptiles always welcome)

-          A refreshing beverage

-          A warm beverage

-          Your favourite nature seat (as long as private)

-          Comfortable clothing

-          A comfort piece of clothing e.g. cardigan

-          A rock or another object with some weight to pass between your hands or feel the texture of

-          Your phone on silent with vibration off

It is important you still treat a telehealth appointment like a face-to-face appointment. This may include:

• Letting everyone in your house know you need an uninterrupted 50 minutes,

• Making sure you have privacy and don’t feel self-conscious of people overhearing

• Turning off emails, and trying to minimise distractions as much as possible.

It is also understandable for some setting up your space may not be possible. You may have chosen telehealth as it is flexible and can fit into your day. The wonderful thing about it is you can do it from anywhere. However, we do always recommend taking measures for privacy, distraction, and safety. Babies are always welcome at appointments. You are welcome to breastfeed, rock bounce, and turn off your camera to settle them.