Telehealth

Online Therapy and Phone Therapy

Online Therapy and Online Counseling is called “Telehealth,” a mode of delivering health care services, including psychotherapy, via communication technologies (e.g. internet or phone). I provide online psychotherapy and counseling to support those in California.

In light the demand for online therapy, I have expanded my video and phone counseling availability. However, I only have a limited number of online counseling appointments available as I divide my sessions between in-person therapy, video therapy and phone therapy.

All virtual appointments have been going smoothly for some time now and I’m still able to offer quality therapy services to help you care for your mental and emotional health.

How is online counseling different?

In answering this question, it may be  easiest to explain what online counseling is. Typically, online counseling is described as a form of professional mental health counseling that is delivered through the internet or by phone. When done via the internet, computer aided technologies are used by licensed professional therapists and individuals seeking counseling services to communicate rather than conventional face-to-face interactions. Online counseling is also referred to as teletherapy, e-therapy, cyber therapy, or web counseling. Some clients use online counseling in conjunction with traditional psychotherapy while an increasing number use online counseling as a replacement for office visits.

While some forms of telepsychology and telepsychiatry have been available for over 30 years, the development of internet video chat systems has resulted in the continuing growth of online therapy. With the acceptance of using the internet for psychotherapy, many clients have found phone therapy to be an even best alternative to face-to-face meetings. With phone therapy, the issue of poor internet connections is never a problem.

Is online therapy as effective as in person therapy?

The short answer is yes, online therapy can certainly be as effective as in person therapy. Most interventions from in person counseling can be done online, even if they require some adaptations. Some clients actually prefer online counseling because of the convenience and ease of access. In can also tend to reduce anxiety.

Right now, online therapy is the most common way to access mental health services. Online therapy reduces your commute time, can be done in the middle of your workday or school day without requiring you to take time off, and gives you more control over your environment. Discussing difficult things in therapy can be a lot more comfortable if you’re at home wrapped in a blanket sipping a warm drink next to your dog and cat.