There is inevitably jargon that comes with any profession, and the psychotherapy world is no exception. I thought I'd explain what some of the phrases mean:
 
"Trust the process" – this one seems to be carried throughout all the therapies I’ve trained in. I think it may have come out of the Person Centred Therapy world but it may go back further – I’m not sure. So “Trust The Process” means trust the clients process, that they will get there in the end and it maybe difficult. Trust The Process the bedrock of a therapists faith and they will use it to say to themselves and others at times of challenge.
 
"Hold The Space" – This means not jumping in when a client might be struggling, or thinking or feeling something. It gives a client time to process more fully without something being taken away or alternatively given to the client. Sometimes in trying to be helpful and giving something we are also taking something away at the same time.
 
"Where do you feel that in your body" – It may sound a little odd at first if your client asks you this and you’re not used to therapy. So a therapist may ask you this so you experience the feeling in more depth and fullness. It also helps you go to the subcortex of the brain and body which is where memory and trauma can be held. It helps integrate the feeling more into the system by creating new the neural pathways in your brain. This may of come from the Gestalt world and is used in somatic therapies and many moden therapies such as Brainspotting, EMDR, IFS Therapy, and Somatic Experiencing.
 
"It’s your perception" – I’m not a fan of this. I think it’s to challenge the client, but it sounds shaming, and like it could create isolation and rejection.  It means that just because you see it that way is not what it means – well yes, but if a part of you sees it that way then so be it. If someone chopped off your leg you’re likely to find it wrong and upsetting, and a response like “It’s your perception…” would be pretty unhelpful I imagine. I imagine this came from the cognitive movement of therapy, and it is a pretty cognitive challenge
 
“What is the part of you that does x?” – a therapist trying to use parts work. A person is said to be made up of parts just like anything is made of parts. The question is a bit silly, because the answer would be “it’s the part that does x?” a more helpful way might be can you go inside and see if you can “sense the part that does x?...  can you see it… feel it…. or hear it?” IFS Therapy and Ego State therapies are well known for working with parts. Paul Federn wrote about parts in 1920, and Dick Schwartz has recently revived the concept of parts within his IFS Therapy which is evidenced based psychotherapy, which can be done in person and online.

Online therapy can be a little different than going to an office. Here are 10 tips so you can get the most from your online therapy sessions:

1. Be in room that you won't be distracted by anyone or anything such as people, tv, noise, cats, and dogs.
2. Use a room that you can leave after your appointment if possible.
3. Perhaps go for a short walk, or just somewhere for a break after your session
4. Use headphones these will give a more intimate feel as well as cut out some noise distraction should there be any.
5. If people in the house know you are you are having a therapy appointment ask them not to disturb you unless it's an emergency.
6. Make sure you IT is working, charged, plugged in etc. and update any software is updated well before the appointment - just because it worked last time doesn't mean it will today (you know how technology is..)
7. Be comfortable with the distance of the screen, lighting, seating, etc.
8. Don't worry about looking into the camera if you are working with me, you may need to look elsewhere to access feelings, thoughts, and memories.
9. Have all other apps, programmes, emails etc closed, or turned off so you're not distracted.
10. Use a wired connection or be close to your router it can make a big difference to the sound, and video quality.
11. Get as comfortable as you can - the more relaxed your body is, the more your brain can do what it needs to do.