The photo says it all: an iPad nestled in a pot plant, my face on the screen, framed by lush, sun-dappled hills in the Hunter Valley. It might look unusual, but it’s also a perfect symbol of how flexible and alive therapy can be when we embrace working online.

One of the unexpected joys of offering therapy via Zoom is the way it travels with people. I've joined clients from remote Italian farmhouses, country homesteads, hotels and back gardens. More recently this image was taken by Deborah, an art therapy client who was away, visiting with her friend in the Hunter Valley!  Whether it be away on family holidays, work trips or just seeking a change of scenery, our client's inner work doesn’t need to pause. 

There’s something deeply supportive about being able to meet clients where they are, both emotionally and physically. Online therapy offers a kind of spaciousness that allows life to continue unfolding, without losing the momentum of the therapeutic journey. For many, that consistency is a lifeline. Amid movement and change, therapy becomes the still point - a reliable and ongoing source of safety and connection.

Of course, working online also asks us to loosen our grip on some of the traditional structures of the therapy room. We can’t always control the lighting, the background noise, or whether a client's cat strolls past mid-session. But we can remain professional, grounded, and gently curious. There’s often something very real - even tender - in these moments. They reveal important things about our clients: like how they care for themselves in unpredictable environments. And they allow us, as therapists, to meet them with presence and a sense of humour, creating deeper trust and connection along the way.

It also creates an opportunity for the work to root itself more deeply into everyday life. When a client speaks from a sunlit verandah or a quiet corner of their friend's garden, they are integrating the therapeutic space into their real, lived environment. The boundary between inner work and outer life softens, becoming a place where therapy isn’t something separate from life - rather it's an integral part of it.

Not every session is picture-perfect. We occasionally contend with dodgy Wi-Fi or background noise. But more often than not, we’re able to drop into a sense of presence that transcends the screen. Connection, relies on intention and a commitment to our shared journey.

And so, when a client chooses to continue their sessions while they’re away, it tells me something important: our work matters. It's not something to postpone or pause until life settles down. It’s a thread they want to carry with them - a form of self-care and ongoing commitment.

So yes, sometimes clients do take me on holidays. And each time, I’m reminded that therapy need not be fixed to one place. It’s a living, breathing conversation - one that adapts, evolves, and follows us wherever we go.

Here's some tips to stay connected, present, and professional.

🌿 Therapist Checklist: Supporting Clients Away from Home 

•  Clarify expectations: Let clients know you’re open to working while they’re away, with a few boundaries around safety and environment.
•  Discuss privacy: Invite clients to find a private space where they won’t be overheard or interrupted - headphones and a “do not disturb” sign can work wonders.
•  Stay flexible: Time zones, location changes, or unpredictable internet may require you to be a little more adaptable - without compromising boundaries.
•  Normalise real life: Acknowledge the occasional distractions or background noise with humour and presence - it can deepen authenticity.
•  Professional and adaptable: Even if, like me, you end up on an iPad screen in a pot plant, our professional presence and containment matters and can still be maintained with a little humour. Let the setting be fluid, but the work stay held.

🌿 Client Checklist: Having Therapy While Away 

•  Find a quiet space: Even if it’s not perfect, choose somewhere you feel safe, comfortable, and unlikely to be interrupted or overheard.
•  Use headphones: This protects your privacy and can help you feel more contained.
•  Stay committed: Keeping your session while travelling is a form of self-care - it may support your growth wherever you are.
•  Let your therapist know: If you’re in a different time zone or have limited reception, communicate clearly in advance.