Creating a Safe Space for Therapy
Telehealth therapy has become much more popular in the last few years. At first it was mainly in response to the pandemic, but it remains a popular option, as it allows clinicians to reach areas without physical offices, and also eases the burden physically, and mentally for people who find leaving their homes stressful.
Staying still, maintaining eye contact, going to a new location, with new sensory input can be very draining on neurodivergent and traumatized people’s nervous systems. Telehealth allows you to create a regular therapeutic relationship with a clinician without the stress of having to leave your house, mask, or deal with unknown stressors.
Creating your own safe space is a great first step in helping prepare your body and mind for therapy. Here are some tips for creating that space.
- Find a comfortable, quiet space where you will not be disturbed. This can be at your desk, couch, or even your bed.
- Give yourself a few minutes before your session to breathe, and ground yourself.
- Have a comfort item nearby – that can be a blanket, sweater, stuffed animal, pillow, or even a picture that brings you comfort. It will help keep you grounded, and also keep you connected to your body during your session.
- Have some water, and tissues within arms reach.
- If you need to move your hands, have a bag of fidgets nearby, coloring books, or a pad of paper to doodle or to take notes. Some people crochet or knit.
- Don’t worry about making eye contact with your clinician. Don’t worry about needing to stim, or color, or use fidgets. Do what feels comfortable for your body, as long as they can hear, and see you, and you can hear and see them.
You should feel comfortable talking to your clinician about things that could help make your safe space more comfortable. They may have some great ideas to help you tailor your sessions to fit your unique individual needs, and work towards achieving your goals.
Thanks to Eileen, our Client Care Coordinator, for this helpful post!
