Article 2: Eye Contact in Virtual Therapy: A Therapist's Perspective
Virtual therapy has revolutionized the field of mental health. It has made mental health services more accessible to many individuals who otherwise may not have had access to them. However, the lack of eye contact in virtual settings can challenge effective communication. The iContact Camera aligns the web camera with the person you're speaking with and can help overcome this challenge, enhancing the effectiveness of virtual therapy.
Research shows that therapists who maintain eye contact with their clients during virtual sessions create a more positive therapeutic environment, which can enhance the effectiveness of therapy (Pfender & Capaln, 2022). Moreover, the perception of eye contact during virtual sessions can elicit similar arousal responses to those that occur during face-to-face sessions (Hietanan, Peltola, & Hietanan, 2019). This suggests that the iContact Camera can create a more engaging and emotionally resonant therapeutic environment by facilitating eye contact.
In therapy, eye contact is crucial in building a therapeutic alliance with clients. It signals to the client that the therapist is present, attentive, and engaged in the conversation. This can help build trust and rapport, key elements in a successful therapeutic relationship.
In addition, the iContact Camera can help therapists better assess their clients' emotional state. Non-verbal cues, such as eye contact, can provide valuable information about a client's emotional state and level of engagement in the therapy session. This can help therapists tailor their approach to meet their clients' needs better.
