(424) 744-3774

Online Therapy

A photo of a woman sitting at a wooden desk working on her laptop computer. She is wearing a blue and white striped shirt. She is smiling as she looks down at the screen of her computer.Its popularity is exploding!

Online therapy, also known as teletherapy, has been recognized as an effective way of delivering medical and mental health care.

A robust collection of literature and research has detailed similar results for treating many common mental health issues regardless of whether the therapist and patient sit across the room from one another or across their computer screens.

Teletherapy using a HIPAA-compliant platform allows the therapist and client to see one another and make eye contact. As a result, more subtle things such as body language, changes in breathing, and facial expression can be seen and addressed where clinically appropriate.

A photo of a woman looking at her computer screen. We see her front the right and behind so we don't see her face. The woman is sipping from a mug. On the screen is a woman holding what looks like a plate. There are SO many advantages to meeting online.

Online therapy has increased access to care. Those living in rural or remote communities rarely have many options, but they can easily find a practitioner who offers teletherapy. However, when there are only a few therapists in a community, a client may struggle to find a therapist with whom they feel comfortable or who specializes in the therapy they need or want.

Teletherapy has made finding mental health support significantly easier for clients busy at work, working from home, or caring for children. Being able to see your therapist from wherever you are without having to interrupt your day any further makes getting help from your therapist so much easier.

After a long day at work, caring for children, or driving through traffic, often the last thing you want is to get back in the car. But you can now speak with your therapist from the comfort of your own home, in comfy clothes, or cuddling your dog.

Others prefer to see their therapist in the privacy of their own home, where they do not have to worry about being seen by people in their community. And for others, the physical challenges that come with driving, walking, going up and down stairs, etc. make teletherapy a great option.

A photo of a woman sitting on a chair. We see her from the left side and she is looking at her tablet so we don't see her full face. She is wearing a blue and white striped shirt and blue jeans. She is smiling as she touches the screen of her tablet.There can be a bit of a learning curve with online therapy.

For some people, it’s a little awkward to be vulnerable sitting in front of a screen. But, just as with in-person therapy, it takes time to get to know your therapist and feel safe to be more vulnerable and show deeper and more difficult emotions.

We are used to sitting more passively in front of our screens watching television or movies, and the switch to a more active style of interaction in front of a screen may take some time.

Others say they actually feel MORE comfortable doing so because they’re in the privacy of their own home. Teletherapy can allow for increased privacy. Some clients feel that when they are home, in one of the physical settings where they experience distress, it is easier to recall the issues and feelings that need to be addressed.

An illustration of a faceless woman sitting cross-legged on a couch holding laptop. To the right of that image is an illustration of a computer screen with a faceless man holding what looks like a clipboard in his right hand a na a brain in his left hand. The words psychological help are also on the illustration.Making the most of our time together online.

It’s essential to make sure you are in a private, distraction-free environment during our session. You’ll want to be in a place where you are comfortable talking about very personal issues – a place where you can feel whatever comes up.

You’ll also want to make it easier for the technology to work optimally. It is important to have a strong Wi-Fi connection, and it is best to close other streaming services that may interfere. Depending on whether you are alone, you may want to consider noise-canceling headphones. If you are accessing therapy on your phone, it is important to make sure that you place your divide on ‘Do Not Disturb’ so that incoming calls do not interfere with the connection.

Online therapy is not for everyone or every situation.

Teletherapy is not suitable for every client in every situation. For example, individuals dealing with psychotic symptoms, including delusions and hallucinations, are not appropriate for teletherapy. Similarly, clients in crisis with suicidal thoughts need more immediate, hands-on care than can be provided through teletherapy.

When we connect during your free 20-minute consultation, I’ll be thinking about whether your needs would best be met in the office or whether you are a good candidate for teletherapy

Don’t let technology stand in the way of getting help.

Online therapy makes getting the support you need as easy as turning on your phone or computer.

Call me for a complimentary 20-minute consultation at (424) 744-3774, and let’s get connected.