A Beginner's Guide to Building Trust with Your Online Therapist
Last Updated on April 9, 2025 by Prath
Reviewed by April Justice, LICSW
- Published on 8 April 2025
Research shows that the stronger the bond between a client and therapist, the more successful the outcomes of therapy will be.
You may now ask, ‘So, how do I ensure a strong bond with my online therapist?’
The answer to that question lies in trust!
Trust lays the foundation for any successful relationship, and therapeutic relationships are no exception.
“Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.”
Interested in learning how to foster a trusting relationship with your online therapist in Australia? You’ve come to the right place!
This blog explores every aspect of trust in therapy, starting from what it is and why it matters to how you can build it and when it begins to take shape.
This Article Contains:
The What: What is Trust?
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines trust as follows:
‘An assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.’
In the context of therapy, trust can mean a strong belief in your therapist’s:
- Professional expertise to help achieve your therapy goals
- Commitment to confidentiality and ethical practice, ensuring a safe space
- Approaches, strategies and tools
- Ability to provide unbiased, non-judgemental support
The Why Part 1: Why Trusting Your Therapist May Feel Difficult
Imagine this:
You’re getting ready for your first session with an online therapist – setting up a makeshift therapy table, checking your WiFi connection, filling up a bottle of water and making a cup of steaming hot tea for company.
You’re excited to finally begin therapy! But, as your tea steeps, you find yourself wondering, ‘Will I be able to trust my therapist?’
Feeling apprehensive about trusting your online therapist in Australia is completely normal.
You may feel so for a myriad of reasons, including but not limited to the following:
- Your therapist is a stranger at first
- Therapy requires you to be vulnerable
- You’re starting therapy for the first time
- You’ve had negative experiences with trust in the past (this can be with past therapists or relationships in general)
The Why Part 2: Why Trust is Vital in Online Therapy
As we saw earlier, trust is the cornerstone of an effective and successful therapeutic relationship. Without trust, therapy becomes an incomplete jigsaw puzzle – missing a key piece that holds the power to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Trust allows you to open up to your online therapist, discuss any aspect of your life, and achieve steady progress together.
Here are a few reasons why trust is an integral part of therapy:
a) Creates a Safe Space
You may have heard the phrase ‘therapy is a safe space’ numerous times.
What makes therapy a safe space is a balance of your therapist’s professionalism, training, and ethics, as well as the trust you place in them.
b) Encourages Honest & Open Communication
It’s when you trust someone that you can speak openly and honestly with them.
Being honest with your online therapist is necessary to see the most effective results.
c) Allows You to Be Vulnerable
Open communication, honesty and vulnerability go hand in hand.
In therapy, being vulnerable – such as sharing sensitive, personal or emotional aspects of your life – is often essential for progress.
Trust is a general human prerequisite that allows you to be vulnerable with someone.
d) Strengthens the Therapeutic Relationship
Trust can significantly improve the strength of any relationship.
A strong bond with your online therapist can, in turn, lead to better therapeutic outcomes!
The How: How to Build Trust with Your Online Therapist
You now understand what trust means in the context of therapy and why trusting your online therapist is crucial for progress in your mental health journey.
But, even though you understand its importance and want to trust your therapist, you may find yourself struggling to achieve it.
Feeling this way is absolutely understandable since trust is a complex emotion that takes time to build.
However, the following sections discuss practical tips to help you ensure a trusting relationship with your online therapist in Australia.
1) Research Your Online Therapist Beforehand
Trust starts with familiarity and knowing a person.
But you may wonder, ‘How do I get to know someone before actually meeting them?’
When it comes to online therapy, researching your online therapist beforehand can help you develop a sense of comfort and even build trust before you step into your first session.
Here are some ways you can do that with Therapists at Talk Your Heart Out (TYHO):
a) Explore the therapist’s profile
Read through their bio, check their qualifications, explore the types of therapy they practise, and understand their therapeutic approach. These are some of the most crucial things you need to know about your therapist.
b) Watch their introductory video
Seeing and hearing an online therapist talk on screen can help you get a sense of their personality and how they will interact.
You can then go into your first session with an idea of what to expect, making the prospect of trusting your therapist less daunting.
c) Read client reviews and testimonials
Learning how other clients feel about the therapists you’ve shortlisted can offer reassurance and help build trust in them.
d) Start with one session
A single session can be an easy avenue to get to know your online therapist before committing to full-fledged therapy sessions with them.
Your first session can be the stage to:
- Ask questions about your therapist and their approach to therapy
- Understand what a session with your therapist would typically look like
- Discuss any concerns you may have (including apprehensions about trust)
- Explore how you feel talking to them and note your gut feeling: do you feel comfortable, safe and positive?
2) Ensure Open & Honest Communication
Trust in a therapeutic relationship grows through open, honest, vulnerable and judgement-free conversations.
However, opening up to a new therapist may not be the easiest thing to do, especially during initial therapy sessions.
This is where the interplay of trust and honesty comes in.
While trust is key for honest communication, honesty is also a vital aspect of what goes into building that trust in the first place.
Acknowledging your apprehensions and being honest with your online therapist can help you establish trust more quickly.
Below are some tips to help you ease into opening up to your therapist in Australia:
a) Go at your own pace
Start small! You don’t have to share every single detail about your life in the first few sessions.
Take your time to open up over the course of multiple sessions.
Try this: If you’re feeling apprehensive, start by discussing neutral topics or areas of your life that feel easy to share.
You can gradually move to more sensitive topics as you become more comfortable.
b) Make sure honesty extends to your concerns
Honesty in the context of therapy doesn’t just mean sharing personal issues; it extends to any concerns you may feel.
Let your online therapist know about your fears and apprehensions. If you’re finding it hard to trust them, make sure to be open about that as well.
c) Be vocal if something doesn’t feel right
In addition to pre-existing concerns, if you feel hesitant or unsure about something, such as a strategy, approach or certain questions, remember to be vocal about it.
A good online therapist will tailor sessions to your comfort and create a safe space that accommodates your concerns.
d) Don’t hesitate to ask questions
A majority of your therapy sessions may involve your online therapist asking questions and you providing answers.
However, it’s important to remember that you’re always free to pose questions to your therapist.
Want to know why your therapist is using a particular technique? Ask away!
Questions lead to better understanding, which in turn fosters open communication and trust.
e) Be honest about your progress
Let your therapist know if you feel an approach or strategy isn’t leading you to the progress you wish to see.
Sharing your honest thoughts with your online therapist can help them adjust their approach and suggest alternative strategies to better suit your goals.
3) Evaluate Your Therapist’s Actions
Trust is a two-way street. Your therapist’s actions play a crucial role in creating a trusting therapeutic relationship.
Paying attention to the green flags from your therapist’s actions can increase trust, while noting any potential red flags can help you decide whether they’re the right fit.
Below are some easy ways to evaluate your therapist’s actions:
a) Pay attention to how they respond
A good therapist makes you feel heard, respected and safe, even when discussing sensitive or complex topics.
Ask yourself:
- Do they listen actively without interrupting you?
- Do they validate your feelings and emotions (and not dismiss them)?
- Are they non-judgmental?
- Are they patient and empathetic?
- Do they offer reassurance about your apprehensions and concerns?
b) Observe their professional boundaries
A professional therapist will ensure that the focus remains on you, the client, and always keeps your concerns and boundaries in mind. They will never try to push you into discussions you don’t want to face yet.
Ask yourself:
- Do they maintain confidentiality?
- Are they respectful of your personal space?
- Do they double-check when broaching sensitive topics?
- Do they avoid sharing much about their personal life?
c) Check for consistency in approach
Trust is built over time through consistency. An online therapist who is punctual and consistent in their approach translates to someone reliable and trustworthy.
Ask yourself:
- Are they punctual for therapy sessions?
- Do they reschedule sessions often?
- Do they follow through on commitments? Eg sharing a podcast or guide
- Do they ensure consistency in approach and strategies?
d) Note whether they encourage autonomy
A therapist’s role is to guide and support you in your mental health journey – not to take control and steer the course of it. You should feel empowered and encouraged to spearhead your healing journey.
Ask yourself:
- Do they equip you with long-term tools and skills?
- Do they empower/guide you to your own decisions (as opposed to offering advice or solutions)?
- Do they let you steer the pace of therapy?
e) Reflect on how you feel after sessions
Taking some time after sessions to reflect can help you understand how you feel about your therapist and where your therapeutic relationship is currently at.
Ask yourself:
- Do you leave sessions in a better mental space than when you entered them?
- Do you leave sessions with a clearer perspective or a lighter heart?
- Do you feel safe expressing your feelings and sharing your thoughts?
The When: When Will You Start Trusting Your Online Therapist
It’s important to remember that trust is developed over time, not established overnight.
While some may start trusting and feeling connected to their online therapist within the first few sessions, it may take a few weeks or months for others.
There’s no set timeline on when you should start trusting your therapist in Australia. What matters is that you go in with an open mind, put in the effort, and give it time.
If you feel like an online therapist may not be the right fit even after a few sessions, you can always discuss this concern with them or switch to a different therapist.
Conclusion
Building trust with your online therapist in Australia takes time, patience and effort.
If you’re feeling unsure about trusting your therapist, remember – trust isn’t built by rushing into the unknown; it’s fostered through small and intentional steps.
At TYHO, we work with a team of vetted Therapists in Australia who are here to help you navigate this journey towards mutual trust and mental wellness.
Explore online Therapists in Australia today!
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