Phone therapy allows the client to do inner work in the environment where he/she feels the most comfortable: home, backyard, vacation spot, or office. It is important to be as centered and relaxed as possible when working with a therapist. Sometimes life seems to be so challenging that getting out in the world is just asking too much. Many people find it less stressful to stay in the environment where they are most comfortable than driving trough traffic to an office appointment. I have worked with clients sitting on boat docks, walking in the woods, driving truck routes, and eating lunch at the office. Of course, it is important to schedule appointments when clients can be assured of privacy in their chosen locations for quiet and confidentiality.
Flexibility of scheduling is another advantage of phone therapy. Sessions can often be on the spur of the moment, or in the heat of a crisis. Clients can choose half or full hour sessions and set appointments to fit their schedules including after work and weekends when most therapist's offices are closed.
Clients often find working on the phone gives them a deeper freedom of expressing themselves. Initially, some clients are concerned that they won’t feel as connected with the therapist as they would in face-to-face therapy--but, by the end of the first session, are surprised to find this is not true.
Phone therapy can be ideal for a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, agoraphobia, and hoarding. Cognitive therapy, mindfulness, and body-centered therapy work very well by phone. EFT is a useful tool for stress and anxiety. Occasionally, I get a call from someone looking for a psychic rather than a psychotherapist. It is important to know that good therapy does not involve advice-giving. The role of a psychotherapist is to support the client in discovering his/her own insights and conclusions.
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