The Experience of Time Boundaries in Remote Working

In this paper I consider the experiences around the time boundary of therapeutic sessions of both therapists and patients working remotely during the pandemic. I discuss the precision of electronic time and the different dynamics around the beginning of sessions. The business of arriving, whether early, on time or late, has different drivers and meanings in the online world. I consider how difficult it is to take up these dynamics adequately when faced with the real uncertainties of internet connections. Communications between therapist and patient around time boundaries have also presented new challenges, and the way sessions end is very different. The experience of time within sessions is altered, and sessions are no longer bracketed with the journey to and from the consulting room. The dynamics around power and vulnerability are different and the management of time boundaries bring these dynamics vividly to life. The paper closes with some practical considerations around remote working as this is likely to be a part of our practice even after the pandemic is finally over.