Online Therapy

 

 

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In addition to seeing clients in my office, I also offer online video therapy through a secure HIPAA compliant video platform. When I think about why clients choose online therapy, the first answer that comes to my mind is about convenience: the comfort of being in your own office or home, no travel necessary, the time saved, and the time of sessions is usually more flexible.  I admit I was skeptical about doing online therapy but when I decided to begin offering it in my practice and I read about it, I realized that it is something I wanted to do in addition to seeing clients in a traditional office setting.  I have been providing online video therapy for awhile now and I think it’s a great addition to traditional in office therapy, in the future I hope to  only offer online therapy.

When I’ve asked clients how they feel about seeing me via video rather than in an office, they’ve stated that they feel comfortable working this way and it’s more convenient for them since they do not have to go to an office.  During a snow storm I was able to see 7 clients online, I would not have been able to do this in an office because it would have been very difficult for me or my clients to get to the office.

Another reason some people chose online therapy is that it gives an added layer of confidentiality.  With online therapy, no one else has to know that you’re going to therapy unless you chose to tell them.  I don’t feel as comfortable doing telephone therapy as I prefer to see my clients when we’re speaking however telephone counseling is also an option if video is not available.  I  do not offer texting therapy.

Some clients would not benefit from online therapy and do need to be seen in an office.  Clients who are actively psychotic would not be good candidates for online therapy.  Also clients who have recent suicidal attempts would benefit from  in office therapy until they are more stable.

I have found the outcomes for my clients to be just as good whether I see them online or in my office and I’m so glad I’m able to  offer online therapy.

Why People Choose Online Therapy

When I think about why clients choose online therapy, the first answer that comes to my mind is about convenience: the comfort of being in your own office or home, no travel necessary, the time saved, and the time of sessions is usually more flexible.  I admit I was skeptical about doing online therapy but when I decided to begin my practice and I read about it, I realized that it is something I wanted to do in addition to seeing clients in a traditional office setting.  I have been providing online video therapy for awhile now and I do enjoy doing it and actually prefer it to working in a traditional office setting.

When I’ve asked clients how they feel about seeing me via video rather than in an office, they’ve stated that they feel comfortable working this way and it’s more convenient for them since they do not have to go to an office.  During a recent snow storm I was able to see 7 clients online, I would not have been able to do this in an office because it would have been very difficult for me or my clients to get to the office.

Another reason some people chose online therapy is that it gives an added layer of confidentiality.  With online therapy, no one else has to know that you’re going to therapy unless you chose to tell them.  I don’t feel as comfortable doing telephone therapy as I prefer to see my clients when we’re speaking however telephone counseling is also an option.

Some clients would not benefit from online therapy and do need to be seen in an office.  Clients who are schizophrenic and actively psychotic would not be good candidates for online therapy.  Also clients who have recent suicidal attempts would benefit from  in office therapy until they are more stable.

I have found the outcomes for my clients to be just as good whether I see them online or in my office and I’m so glad I made the leap and offer online therapy.

Online Therapy

Online counseling  also known as  e-therapy – is when a professional counselor or psychotherapist talks with you over the Internet, to give you emotional support, mental health advice or some other professional service.

Online therapy is an  alternative source of help when traditional psychotherapy is not accessible. Its effective. Its private. Its conducted by skilled, qualified, ethical professionals.  It works as well as face to face therapy with most clients.

Online therapy is usually offered either by private practitioners who will meet with you in a secure site which is HIPPA  compliant or there are online therapy clinics where you chose the therapist whom you would like to work with from a list of mental health practitioners.

Some websites such as Talkspace offer email and text based counseling.  This type of counseling is not the same as psychotherapy because you do not see the person and it’s difficult to gauge how well the person is doing via text and also you may not be able to have a continuous conversation with the person.

 

Online therapy works well if you have a very busy schedule, you live somewhere without many therapists, you have young children at home or it’s difficult for you to get to an office.  Online therapy is not suitable for people suffering from severe mental illness such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.  It is very helpful for people with anxiety or depression.  While online therapy is not for everyone it is a viable alternative to face to face psychotherapy.