Online Therapy
Online Therapy Is Another Option In These Challenging Times
Are you enjoying the benefits of therapy, but life circumstances are making it difficult for you to attend regular sessions?
Do the restrictions of COVID-19 crisis keep you from getting to your appointments?
One of the benefits of counseling is the opportunity to sit down with a mental health professional to learn more about your anxiety, your depression, or conflicts in your relationship. As you learn more about these concerns, you also learn some specific strategies you can use to change your relationship with them; these strategies allow you to order your life in a way that is more aligned with what you value.
And yet, there are times when things happening in your life and in the world make these face-to-face sessions difficult or impossible. At a challenging time, when you really need the insights that counseling can offer, you are unable to attend your sessions on a regular basis. Fortunately, there is another option: online therapy. While it may not feel as ideal as a session in the office, online therapy offers many of the same benefits.
With the restrictions that all of us face from the quarantine because of the Corona virus, I am offering another option: online therapy. The threat of COVID-19 can increase your struggle with depression or anxiety. It can cause conflicts between you and your partner. Just as the stress is increasing, it feels like the chance to get the help and support you need is decreasing. Online counseling gives you the chance to talk through your concerns from the privacy of your own home.
Even without the crisis of the Corona virus, online therapy is an option for many counselors, and has been an option for many years. There are many people who are unable to get to an office but want to have a therapy session; online therapy makes that a possibility.
What Does Online Therapy Look Like?
It is really quite simple. All you need is your computer or phone. I use a video format that is encrypted to insure your privacy. It is a format that meets HIPAA standards. Once we have agreed to do on-line therapy, you will call my office to schedule an appointment. I will send you a link to the video platform website. A couple of minutes before the appointment begins, you will click the link. It will take you to my “waiting room.” On my end, when I see that you have arrived, I will click on your name in the waiting room, and the session will begin.
From there, the therapy appointment will proceed like a face-to-face session. I encourage you to find a time and place where you will not be interrupted for an hour. We will be able to see each other and talk to each other. If I have information that I want to send to you (worksheets, etc.) I will send them to you via email with my secure email address. Then, we will set a time for our next appointment.
If you are going to pay for your session with a check, I will tell you the amount and give you information about how you can send the check to me. If you are paying by credit card, I will type your information into my credit card processor. I will ask for your card number, expiration date, CVV number on the back of your card, and the zip code associated with the account. I will not write down any of your information. I will enter it directly into my processor, and it will not be saved.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, I have held many online therapy sessions. People have commented that it feels very similar to a face-to-face session in my office. They talk about their problems and concerns in the same way and at the same level as they would if we were sitting in the same room. The anxiety and depression that people feel about the Corona virus emergency is real; many clients know someone or have been around someone who has been exposed to the virus, so they want to make sure they and their families are protected. They appreciate the opportunity to have a therapy session while taking the necessary precautions.
I Have Some More Questions About Online Therapy
Is online therapy as effective as face-to-face therapy?
You may be concerned that on-line therapy doesn’t give me a chance to really observe you and connect with you. During face-to-face sessions, it may feel like it’s easier for me to notice things like tone of voice, body language, or your overall demeanor. You may think that online therapy is too impersonal; you may wonder if you can really get the skills and tools you need by communicating on a screen.
Despite these concerns, there is research that shows consistently that online therapy can be very effective for many mental health issues. Here are the results of a few studies:
A 2018 study in the Journal of Psychological Disorders found that online therapy is,"effective, acceptable and practical health care." The study found the online therapy was equally as effective as face-to-face treatment for major depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.
A 2014 study in Behavior Research and Therapy found that online therapy was effective in treating anxiety disorders, and the positive improvements were still there at a one-year follow-up.
A 2014 study in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that online treatment was just as effective as face-to-face treatment for depression.
There are other benefits as well. Traveling is difficult right now because of the quarantine practices during the COVID-19 emergency, but there are other times when transportation is a problem. Online therapy keeps you from missing an appointment. If you live in a small community or have lived in a community for a long time, with online therapy you don’t have to worry about seeing someone you know in the waiting room.
Also, some people actually find it easier to reveal private information when they are sharing it online. If you struggle with anxiety, especially social anxiety, you may be more comfortable sharing your thoughts and feelings in an online therapy session.
Is Online Therapy Really Private?
Your privacy and confidentiality are top priorities for me. As I mentioned above, the video platform that I used is designed specifically for online session between clients and mental health professionals. It is encrypted and complies with HIPAA regulations.
Does Insurance Pay For Online Therapy?
Currently, the two insurance companies that I contract with pay for online therapy. If you are not covered by insurance, I offer a reasonable private pay fee for online therapy. I encourage you to think of therapy as an investment in your own well-being. It is a chance to learn more about your problems and struggles. It is a chance to learn skills that will help you order your life in a way that expresses meaning and what you value.
You Can Get The Help You Need
These are certainly difficult times for you personally and for our world. You don’t have to let the stress of all that is happening in your life keep you from benefiting from therapy. Online therapy is a format I have used to help many people with anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. If you would like more information or want to set up an appointment, click below.