Teletherapy
Are There Barriers Between You And Quality Counseling Services?
Is in-person therapy a bad fit for your lifestyle? Maybe you’re too busy to drive back and forth from a counselor’s office each week. If you’re a hard-working professional, there may be little time in your schedule for extra travel—especially if you have kids. Considering your other responsibilities, you may be hesitant to add therapy to your plate.
Are you worried about catching coronavirus or passing it along to a family member? Therapists’ offices are typically intimate environments, and most Oklahoma city therapists have closed their doors to in-person visits to protect themselves and their clients.
Are accessibility and flexibility priorities for you? Your chosen therapist may be located farther than you’re willing to drive each week. Should you get sick, need to take a trip, or have something else come up in your life, perhaps you’d appreciate the consistency of being able to continue your weekly sessions.
In-person therapy provides unique benefits, but for many people, logistical barriers have made it difficult to access quality, consistent support. If you want to work on your mental health despite any obstacles that may be in your way, online therapy may be a viable alternative.
What Is Online Therapy?
Online therapy—also commonly referred to as web therapy, teletherapy, or distance therapy—allows people to meet with their therapist virtually using their computer, phone, or another mobile device. Some online counseling services only include asynchronous text-based messaging, but the live, web-based sessions I offer allow me and my clients to see and hear each other just as we could in person.
I started offering online therapy sessions about two years ago to accommodate clients who had busy schedules or lived too far from my office. After the new coronavirus pandemic struck, I transitioned my remaining in-person clients online as a safety precaution. Most were pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to make the switch. My busiest clients have also told me that they appreciate the convenience, flexibility, and opportunity to schedule evening sessions if needed.
Web-based therapy can connect you with compassionate support regardless of whatever else is going on in the world or your life. Today, many people are sorely missing the social interaction they previously enjoyed, causing feelings of loneliness and creating the illusion that no one else understands what they’re going through. Through online therapy sessions, you can shatter that illusion and access some much-needed support and connection. Regardless of how long the coronavirus threat persists or how many times it shows up again in the future, my virtual counseling services will continue to be available. Read the frequently-asked questions below to learn more about connecting with me online.
Online Therapy FAQs
+ How does online therapy work? What software do I need?
We’ll connect through an online program called Simple Practice. To prepare for your first session, grab an internet-connected device and find a comfortable, private spot in front of your webcam or phone camera. Review the simple instructions I’ll email to you, then click the link to enter your private online meeting room. Once I start your session, we’ll be able to hear and see each other in real time.
The online counseling experience will feel similar to attending a web meeting through Zoom or Skype, and joining your sessions will be even easier. Unlike receiving therapy by Skype, you won’t have to create an account. And unlike Zoom-based therapy, you won’t need to download any software (unless you decide to connect with me via mobile, in which case you can download this free app). Simple Practice is fully compliant with HIPAA privacy rules, so your session will be completely confidential.
Most people are surprised by how straightforward it is to join an online session, but if you’d like more information, feel free to read through Simple Practice’s Getting Started guide (PDF, 730 KB) in advance of our appointment.
+ Does online therapy really work?
Yes. Even though it isn’t quite as intimate as in-person therapy, online counseling is the next best thing because it allows me to see your body language and pick up on facial cues just as I would in person. That said, distance counseling doesn’t work for everyone. If you’re uncomfortable with technology, value the privacy of a therapist’s office, or hate the idea of sitting in front of a webcam, another form of therapy might be better for you. Contact me to discuss your options.
+ What if there are a lot of distractions at my home/office?
Setting aside a little time to create a comfortable and private environment for your online therapy sessions can help you feel more focused and relaxed. However, if you’re not able to recreate the privacy and calming aesthetic of a therapist’s office, you could try joining from your car. As long as your device has a microphone, camera, and reliable internet connection/mobile data plan, you can connect with me via your laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
+ Is online therapy covered by insurance?
Oklahoma’s telemedicine parity law, which has been in place since 1997, requires insurance providers to reimburse distance therapy and in-person treatment at the same rate. As such, it’s no more difficult to find online counseling services covered by insurance than it is to find in-person ones.
Together, We Can Get Through This
It’s extremely therapeutic to just sit and talk with another person if you’ve been feeling isolated. It’s vitally important to take care of your mental health, especially during such crazy times. As a licensed therapist, I’m honored to be in a position to help you through whatever it is you’re struggling with.
Contact me to learn more about online counseling or to schedule your first session
