🧠 How Online Psychology Works: What to Expect from Your First Session

Online psychology has become one of the most accessible and effective ways to receive mental health support. Whether you’re managing anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, chronic health conditions, or simply want to improve your

wellbeing, telehealth psychology sessions offer a simple and flexible way to receive professional help from home.

If you’ve never attended an online session before, you may be wondering what to expect. To help you feel prepared and comfortable, here’s a clear step-by-step guide to your first online psychology appointment with Tele-Psychs.

💻 What Is Online Psychology?

Online psychology—also known as telehealth therapy—involves speaking with a AHPRA registered psychologist via secure video call. At Tele-Psychs, we use COVIU, a professional telehealth platform designed specifically for healthcare providers. Your session is private, encrypted, and follows the same ethical and clinical guidelines as face-to-face therapy.

🌟 How to Prepare & Get the Most Out of Your First Online Psychology Session

Preparing well can help you feel more supported, calm, and engaged during your session. Below are simple strategies to help you get the most value from your appointment.

🏡 1. Set Up a Private & Comfortable Space

Choose a location where you feel safe and won’t be overheard.

This could be:

• Your bedroom

• A quiet office

• Your car (parked, not driving)

• Any private room where you feel at ease

• A quiet park

  
  

A calm environment helps you speak openly and reduces distractions.

📶 2. Test Your Technology Before the Session

• A few minutes of preparation avoids stress during the initial consultation/call.

• Test if your device is compatible prior to your first consultation by clicking on COVIU pre-call test link: https://coviu.com/precall.

• Check your internet connection

• Close unnecessary apps or videos

• Keep headphones nearby if you prefer privacy

• Log in 5 minutes early to settle in.

📝 3. Think About What You Want Help With

• You don’t need to prepare a speech, but having a ideas regarding your goals in what you want to achieve for therapy helps.

• Consider questions like:

  • What made me book this appointment?

  • What symptoms or challenges have I been experiencing?

  • How is this affecting my daily life?

  • What do I need support with right now?

• A short dot-point list can help you stay focused.

📅 4. Reflect on Your Goals

Your goals don’t need to be perfect or detailed.

Common goals include:

• Reducing anxiety or stress

• Understanding emotional triggers

• Building coping strategies

• Improving confidence, motivation or routines

• Processing a stressful event or trauma

• How to Manage anger, low mood and anxiety, depression.

Your psychologist will help refine these goals during the sessions.

✍️ 5. Keep Notes Handy

Many clients find it helpful to jot down:

• Key points they want to mention

• Questions they would like answered

• Strategies or topics they want to discuss

• A simple notebook or phone note is perfect.

🙋‍♂️ 6. Ask Questions — This Is Your Session

You are encouraged to ask questions such as:

• What therapy approach will we use?

• How often should I attend sessions?

• What happens if I feel overwhelmed during therapy?

• How long might therapy take?

• Understanding the process makes therapy more empowering.

🧘 7. Allow Yourself to Be Honest & Open

Your psychologist is there to help, not judge.

If something feels difficult to discuss, it’s okay to say so.

If you don’t know how to explain your feelings, that’s okay too.

Your psychologist will guide the conversation gently.

🧩 8. Understand That It’s Normal to Feel Nervous

Most people feel:

• Anxious

• Unsure

• Emotional

• Relieved

This is completely normal.

The first session is simply about understanding you—not diagnosing, labelling, or pressuring you.

As you complete more therapy sessions, these emotions with dissipate and you will become more comfortable.

➡️ 9. What Happens at the end of the online therapy consultation

After your first online psychology session, you and your psychologist will have a clearer understanding of your needs and the best way to move forward. The next steps are flexible and tailored entirely to you.

Here's what happens next;

• Your psychologist will recommend how often you should attend therapy based on;

  • Your goals

  • The severity of symptoms

  • Your availability (Most clients being with fortnightly sessions)

    
    

• In your next session your psychologist will create a therapy Plan;

  • Evidence-based therapy approaches (CBT, ACT, trauma-informed therapy, etc.)

  • Practical strategies to use between sessions

  • Skill-building exercises to support emotional regulation

  • Long-term wellbeing goals

🔄 10. Plan a Few Minutes After the Session to Unwind

Therapy can bring up emotions. A quick break afterward can help you decompress.

You may want to:

• Go for a short walk

• Have a tea or water

• Write down your thoughts, these can be discussed in your next session

• Sit quietly for a moment

• Get into a hobby or activity you love doing

  
  

This helps your mind process what you discussed and decompress.

🌟 Final Thoughts

Starting therapy is a brave and meaningful step toward improving your wellbeing. Your first online psychology session is not about having everything figured out—it’s about creating a safe space where you can begin exploring your thoughts, emotions, and experiences with professional support. By preparing ahead of time and approaching the session with openness and curiosity, you give yourself the best chance to get the most out of your therapy journey.

At Tele-Psychs, our psychologists are here to guide you with compassion, clarity, and evidence-based strategies. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, chronic health concerns, or personal growth, we are committed to helping you feel understood, supported, and empowered every step of the way.

Your wellbeing matters, and you don’t have to navigate things alone—this first session is just the beginning of positive change.

📧 Email: reception@tele-psychs.com.au

 📞 Phone: 1300 820 031

 🌐 Visit: www.tele-psychs.com.au