Teletherapy

Teletherapy…a.k.a. telemedicine, telehealth, telemental health, virtual therapy, etc. - Experiencing therapy through video using a computer, tablet, or smart phone.

Transitioning to a teletherapy practice has worked really well for me and my clients. Even though we’re not in the same room, I don’t miss the nonverbal cues that are so important in therapy. I’m highly attuned to emotional shifts and subtle expressions, allowing me to be fully present and connected with you, even online.

My clients really like having sessions online. Examples of comments they have made include:

“It’s so much more convenient. I don’t have to spend so much time driving to and from appointments.”

“It’s amazing how emotional details still come through a screen. I still just as seen and understood as if we were in person.”

“Since I feel so comfortable in my own home, I can open up more in therapy.”

“I really like how it brings the therapy work into my personal life rather than just leaving it in the therapy office.” And the list goes on.

If you’re wondering if teletherapy is a good fit for you

For the best teletherapy experience, you will need the basics - a device with a camera, microphone, and screen (i.e., computer, tablet, smart phone) and a good internet connection. Headphones can be useful for cutting out background noise and maintaining your privacy. Other helpful things include having a basic comfort with technology and a sense of flexibility in the case of a rare technology glitch.

As I mentioned above, my clients have loved teletherapy, but it’s ultimately an individual preference. But you don’t have to make the decision alone either. In the first few sessions, I use your feedback, alongside my clinical judgment, to help determine if teletherapy will be beneficial for you.

If you’re wondering if teletherapy works

In general, the effectiveness of therapy depends largely on your willingness to be active and engaged in the process, which is true for teletherapy too. I cannot promise teletherapy outcomes any more or less than I could promise in-person therapy outcomes. I can promise to offer compassionate support and do my very best to understand you, help you identify repeating patterns, and help you clarify the changes that you would like to make in your life.

My clients have responded well to teletherapy, just as well as they were responding to in-person sessions. Research has shown that teletherapy is effective for a wide range of mental health concerns, with studies indicating that the therapy relationship remains strong even when conducted remotely (American Psychological Association in 2017, 2020). And even though it may feel newer to many of us, therapists and clients have been using teletherapy since before the pandemic with research supporting its effectiveness (Hilty, et al., 2013).