Teletherapy and Counseling
COVID has changed our lives. My dedication to my patients has not.
Online therapy is easy and convenient. Online therapy in video sessions doesn’t require any fancy equipment. No special software is needed and all you need is a camera and reliable internet connection. My clients merely click on a link I provide to be taken to their appointment.
- ACCESSIBILITY
Needless to say, online sessions are more accessible, particularly for those who live a long way from my office.
- EFFICIENCY
Teletherapy saves time, making it easier to squeeze in appointments between home and work demands.
- UNEXPECTED OBSTACLES
Video therapy is a handy option if you can’t make an office appointment for any reason, such as illness or bad weather conditions.
- COMFORT
Some clients simply prefer being able to see their therapist from the comfort of their own home.
- ANONYMITY
Although unlikely, it is possible for clients to bump into acquaintances on their way in or out of appointments. Online therapy eliminates this risk altogether.
- EASIER SCHEDULING
Therapists can offer more appointment times when virtual therapy is an option, since they don’t need to be in their offices for sessions.
- CRISIS COUNSELING
In times of crisis, online therapy is sometimes one’s only option for professional mental healthcare. At such times, when you need support most, circumstances might make it impossible to attend in-person appointments.
- EASE OF ENTRY
For clients who are considering therapy and wish for an easy way to conduct an initial consultation, online therapy is a convenient option.
How well does online therapy work?
Most studies show that it works just as well as in-person therapy. For instance, one study of clients receiving online therapy to address parenting concerns, work stress, marriage struggles, anxiety, or depression showed that they were as happy with online therapy sessions as those who attended face-to-face appointments. In fact, they reported as much satisfaction with the comfort level they felt with their therapists, as well as with therapist skills and experience as those who saw their therapist in person.
Worried about confidentiality in online counseling or video sessions?
Ethically and legally, therapists must maintain privacy and confidentiality just as they would for in-person sessions. In fact, they are legally prohibited from recording or sharing sessions, unless provided consent to do so by the client. That is why I use an encrypted, HIPAA compliant platform to guarantee confidential, private appointments.
Parent Coaching vs. Direct Therapy
For some children, a teletherapy session with direct therapy (where the therapist is providing therapy directly to the child, as is often done in the office) is possible. For other children, teletherapy is more conducive to a parent coaching model. In parent coaching, the therapist can speak directly with the parent/caregiver, answer questions, and guide the parent through an activity with the child.
Set Up: Please consider the following when preparing for your teletherapy session:
- Please make sure that you have a working, charged device with a functional camera and microphone. Often smart phones are the easiest choice.
- Try to be in a quiet environment where you can speak freely. Environmental noises such as nearby conversations or the sound of television can interfere with the sound on the call.
- Prepare your child. Prior to the teletherapy session, engage your child in a quiet activity. For many of the children I work with, it would likely be challenging to transition from highly active play (like rough housing) or highly engaging activities (like video games) to sitting and watching a therapist on a screen. Preparing your child ahead of time with activities such as coloring, shared book reading, or crafts can help their bodies be ready to learn.
- Let me know if you can’t hear, can’t see the video feed, or if there is another need to pause the session.
What to Expect
Teletherapy sessions may differ from in-person sessions in a number of ways. Your child may be less attentive through a screen than they are in person. And that is OK! I may implement a combination of direct therapy and parent coaching during the teletherapy session. This can be a wonderful opportunity to ask questions, provide updates on your child’s progress, make plans for future sessions and/or discharge, and discuss topics at length.
