Video therapy in a shared Hong Kong home: a practical plan

Video therapy

Updated: 2 November 2026 · 6 min read

Bandai Choi
Clinical Psychologist (Australia & Hong Kong)
Board-approved supervisor

Practical preparation for video psychology appointments.

Agree a period when others will not use the space, test whether your own speech can be heard outside it, and agree how to pause or reconnect with your psychologist. Headphones reduce the other person’s voice coming through speakers. Your own voice still carries, so plan the time and space as well.

If you can only use a dining table, shared bedroom or living-room corner, the table and scripts below give you a starting point. Explain the household constraint before the appointment so the practice has time to discuss arrangements with you.

Key points

Use the actual appointment times to agree when others will stay out of the space.
Test ordinary speech and check whether others can hear you or see the screen.
Agree a pause phrase and who will reconnect by which method if the call drops.
Contact the practice beforehand if there is no period when you can avoid being overheard.

Agree what others need to do during the appointment

The Australian Psychological Society’s preparation guidance asks people to consider who might overhear, reduce distractions and arrange care for children.^[1] In a shared household, turn that preparation into three agreements.

What to clarify	An arrangement to discuss	Words you can use
When and where you will sit	Use the confirmed appointment times, with a little time to set up and pack away	“I need the dining table for this appointment. Please stay out then; I’ll handle routine things afterwards.”
How others will use the home	Plan cooking, laundry, calls or use of a shared bedroom	“If you’ll need this space, could we compare times now?”
Care or pickup responsibilities	Confirm the task and timing with someone who has agreed to take over	“Can you cover this period? Once we confirm, I’ll write down the appointment time.”

You can describe it as a private appointment and explain the arrangement you need. If asking for private time leaves you feeling guilty, see feeling guilty when saying no.

Reserve a shared space, test sound and agree a pause phrase.

Take two minutes to test sound and visibility

Sit where you plan to talk, wearing the headphones you will use. Say an ordinary sentence at your usual volume, such as “I’ll tidy the table shortly.” If you wish, ask someone you trust to check from outside the door or the other end of the space whether the words are clear. Use the result to decide whether to move, change the time or adjust household activity.

A screen or virtual background mainly changes what can be seen. For speech, consider who is nearby, distance, and doors or walls. Turn the display away from walkways, move objects you do not want on camera, and check whether notification previews might appear during the call.

Test the practice’s specified link or software, camera, microphone and connection, and charge the device. These are also part of the Australian Digital Health Agency’s pre-appointment advice.^[2] Ordinary test sentences are enough.

Have words ready if someone enters or the call drops

At the start, you can tell your psychologist:

“I’m using a shared space today. If someone approaches, I’ll say ‘pause for a moment’, then stop talking and mute. Once the space is private again, we can check whether to continue.”

Also ask: “If the video drops, should I rejoin the link first? If I still can’t connect, which contact method should I use?” Follow the arrangement you make together so you are not guessing which number to call.

If others remain within hearing, explain the immediate limitation and discuss what to do with the rest of the appointment. You can talk about the setting before returning to the original topic.

Make a short handover before and after the session

Before starting, confirm the space, any care handover, device charge and notification settings. Others can collect things they need beforehand or leave items they will need later somewhere else.

When finished, close the meeting and confirm you have left the call. Put paper notes and devices away, and organise any appointment information or files on a shared device in the location you intend to keep them.

If you worry about being unable to speak in a first session, prepare one opening line: “Could we start with how I’m arranging the call at home, then take the other topics slowly?” See What if I cannot talk in my first therapy session?.

Practical tips

Use the appointment times in your request. Specify the place and when routine household matters can wait until.
Test your own voice. Headphones, screens and backgrounds do different jobs; adjust the setup using what you hear and see.
Agree a pause phrase. Discuss it with your psychologist before you need it.
Raise a lack of space early. You can write: “There currently isn’t a time I can avoid being overheard at home. Could we discuss arrangements before the appointment?”

What if I cannot talk in my first therapy session?: finding an opening topic.
Feeling guilty when saying no: reactions to asking family for private time.

Common questions

Are headphones enough?

Check whether people can make out your speech and whether the display faces a walkway. Once headphones reduce speaker sound, you still need an arrangement for your own speech.

Must I explain every detail about my household when booking?

Begin with what affects the appointment, such as “I can only use the living room alone at certain times” or “I may be interrupted.” Ask what information the practice needs and how to provide it, then work through that.

References

Australian Psychological Society (2022). Psychological services via telehealth: Information for consumers. Top tips for preparing for telehealth services. Official information sheet.
Australian Digital Health Agency (2026). Telehealth. Updated 30 October 2026. Before your consultation.

No separate room at home in Hong Kong: planning a private video therapy session