What does gaze angle refer to in video sessions?

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Gaze angle is about where you direct your eyes relative to the camera. In video sessions, the goal is to look into the camera lens so it feels like you’re making direct eye contact with the patient. This conveys attention, empathy, and engagement, which helps build trust and a stronger therapeutic connection. If you keep looking at the screen or off to the side, it can give the impression that you’re not fully present or attentive.

To apply this, position the camera at or near eye level and focus on it during key moments, while still occasionally glancing at the patient’s image for natural interaction. This simple alignment enhances perceived presence and rapport.

Brightness, color balance, and distance from the camera are separate aspects of video quality and do not convey the same level of interpersonal connection as maintaining gaze into the camera.