Online Counseling Questions & Answers For The Skeptical

If you are like most people, you may feel skeptical of online therapy and whether it works as well as in person therapy. Telehealth often brings up some very understandable hesitations and questions. Below you will find some information to help put your mind at ease and let you know what to expect if you decide to do online counseling.

Frequently Asked Questions About Telehealth

What Is Helpful About Online Therapy and Why Would I Choose this Over In Person Therapy?

Online counseling is helpful when you have a busy life that makes scheduling difficult, if the therapist you want to see is not local, you are following stay at home orders or prefer to do therapy from home, need to reduce transportation time, have caregiving responsibilities that make attending therapy difficult, or have social anxiety and are more comfortable doing counseling from home.

But Isn’t It Hard to Set Up?

No, it actually pretty easy to set up. You can use your phone, tablet, or computer to do video therapy. You can then talk to your counselor as you usually would. It’s that easy!

Is It Really Confidential Though?

It absolutely is confidential. We maintain strict confidentiality standards for your protection, meaning your therapist will not share your information. This means sessions cannot be recorded. Sessions are either provided from the office or a therapist’s home in a way that ensures privacy.

But Will My Insurance Cover This?

Most insurance plans provide coverage for telehealth just like in person therapy. While this may be at your regular copay, coinsurance and/or deductible, there are often variations based on your plan or policy. I encourage you to call and find out your exact benefits. Many insurance plans are currently waiving copays and coinsurance costs during COVID-19.

But I Am At Home With Limited Privacy, What Can I Do?

This can be very tricky to figure out with families being together at home now more than ever before and parents home schooling. Some people like to meet for virtual sessions while on a walk, sitting in their car, in a particular room or place in the house that is quieter, or from their backyard. Often a therapist will adjust their schedule to try to find a time that is less busy for you, maybe by having sessions on different days or at different times than they usually would. You can also try using headphones which can help to limit distractions.

I’m Still Not Sure It’s Right For Me, Should I Wait Until I Can See A Therapist In Person?

Unfortunately, it is hard to say when Covid-19 and social distancing will end. While many therapist may be offering both online and in person with safety precautions with masks and social distancing, many also prefer online therapy at this time. Connecting with a counselor via telehealth is a good way to get started on your healing journey. This is even more important during these stressful times.

But Does Online Counseling Work With Children? Couples? Family Therapy? Trauma Work?

Telehealth is effective with children, but it may require some extra preparation by the therapist and the parent to make sure they have the supplies to do play and art activities. It also can often be helpful to have the parent participate in the session. Couples Therapy and Family Therapy can work very well with online counseling provided you can set up a private place in the home or elsewhere to do this that will minimize interruptions. Trauma work can also be done very effectively online. Both EMDR and TFCBT can be done this way to help both the client and the family heal by learning coping skills and by working on desensitizing traumas so they no longer bother you.

I hope this helps to answer your questions about telehealth and online therapy in Oregon and California. If you are still feeling stuck or have questions about whether it is right for you, feel free to call me at (707) 954- 7060 for a free 15 minute consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. If you are looking for help with anxiety counseling, depression counseling, or trauma counseling, you can read more about how I can help here.

Online Therapy And How Technology Helps Make This As Effective As In Person Therapy

When you think of therapy, it’s not likely you think of online therapy. You probably think of maybe a couch, lounge chairs, or a desk maybe. If your familiar with therapy with children, perhaps you think of a play room. But as technology continues to change our lives, it is also changing how we do therapy.

Online therapy is different from in person therapy with it’s own benefits and guidelines of who benefits the most from it. See Online Counseling- Does It Work and Is It As Effective As Going To See A Therapist, if you want more info on this and the effectiveness of online therapy.

While its not face to face, it allows the counselor and client to be face to face though their computers and webcams. This lets them communicate in real time with many of the benefits of in person therapy and some additional benefits as well.

There are many reasons to choose the online approach. Those with social anxiety or fear of leaving their home tend to especially like this approach. Those responsible for caregiving or that have very busy schedules often like it as well. It can also give you access to counselors with specialties that may not exist in your local area.

Technology has also made many advances that help improve online therapy such as screen sharing. This means your therapist can show you on your screen assignments or strategies they want you to work on using. If it is hard to say something you have the option of using chat to tell them. You can also show your therapist things you want them to see through screen sharing. Technology also has made certain techniques more accessible like EMDR with programs that connect to your video and allow you to see the eye movements needed for this approach across your screen. All of these things are possible on most of the video platforms. If you have questions about this, ask your counselor about this.

So, are there any drawbacks to online therapy? Sometimes, it can be more difficult for the therapist to see body language so you may need to verbalize things like body sensations you are feeling. This can also be a difficult way to do therapy for those that struggle with technology. Though the technology piece has become a lot easier now with the therapist able to email a link that takes you directly to the video session, it may still not be preferable for some people.

Another question many have is whether it is safe and secure. The programs most therapists use have encryption and many other safety features in place, but there is always a risk with the internet of a hacker finding your information so you will need to decide if this is an acceptable risk or if in person therapy feels better to you.

Whether you plan to do online or in person counseling, mental health is crucial to our overall well being, and with all the new technology developments, therapy is becoming more and more available to those who need it.

I hope this helps you find the right therapist whether it is online or in person. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at (707) 954- 7060 for a free 15 minute consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. If you are looking for help with anxiety counseling, depression counseling, or trauma counseling, you can read more about how I help here.

What Can I Expect From Online Therapy or Telehealth?

Many people, now more than ever before, are interested in online therapy, but it also raises a lot of questions and for most people brings up some anxiety as it is a new experience, but don’t let that stop you from getting the help you need.

Online therapy also creates the space to still have counseling when meeting in person is not possible or not what you prefer.

So What Can I Expect From An Online Counseling Session?

1. Once you have set up therapy, your counselor will confirm your appointment and send you an access link that's either unique to you or is the therapist’s online meeting room. You will use that link to enter your session. You probably won’t need to download an app or program, but it depends on the program the therapist uses. This is a good question to ask about if you are unsure.

2. It’s a good idea to think about where you would like be to do your session. If it will be at your home, where is a good place that has privacy, is comfortable for you, and that you are not likely to be interrupted. Find the place that will work best for you.

3. Check on your technology. Make sure your phone, tablet, or computer are charged, and that your internet is working good. It can also be helpful to have a back up internet source in case something happens such as using your phone as a hotspot. 

4. Feel free to do whatever you need to feel comfortable during the session. Have any drinks or snacks you may want to have with you nearby. Some people like to have their pet with them, which is often helpful when talking about difficult things as this can be soothing. 

5. When it’s time for your appointment, use the link sent by your therapist. Your therapist will be there or will join in shortly.

6. Your first session will likely focus on what you want to work on, your history that is impacting the current issue, your preferences for therapy, and your goals for therapy.

   THAT’S ALL THERE IS TO IT! ENJOY YOUR SESSION.

Online therapy allows you to stay connected and receive support from your therapist when life circumstances don't allow you to meet in person. If you’re still not sure, give it a try and you may be surprised how much you enjoy online therapy. 

I hope this helps you find the right online therapist if that is what you are looking for or the right in person therapist if that is your preference. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at (707) 954- 7060 for a free 15 minute consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. If you are looking for help with anxiety counseling, depression counseling, or trauma counseling, you can read more about how I help here.

Top 7 Truths About Online And In Person Counseling In Eureka

What is the truth about counseling? How does it even work? How can I be sure it will help me? I often hear these questions and others from clients. It can be hard to know if counseling can help you if you don’t know the answers to these questions or questions like these. To help with this, below you will find some truths or facts about therapy that I think anyone considering therapy should know.

The Truth About Counseling:

Therapy Doesn’t Fix You

People often think therapy is quick fix for issues they are going through, but what therapy and the therapist does is create the best conditions for healing and growth to occur and then guides you through the process. The brain is designed to help us heal and grow, but sometimes something gets in the way of our natural healing and growth process and we need help working through what is getting in the way and to develop the skills we need. Successful therapy does not mean your cured so much as that you have the resources you need to deal with the ups and downs of life.

Not All Therapy Is The Same

Many people think all therapy is the same and although many aspects will be similar such as the therapist doing an assessment of your needs and explaining the limits of confidentiality, the truth is that some therapy types focus more on talking about issues, while others utilize art or play to work through issues. Some approaches like EMDR are able to help you work through feelings, thoughts, and feelings in the body that do not require you to fully explain what happened which a lot of people like. It’s often important to consider what your preference for therapy is and what you might find the most helpful.

There’s No “Aha” Moment- Progress Happens Gradually

In the movies, counseling is often shown with this great “aha” moment. But there’s no big eureka moment in therapy as healing is a journey not a destination. It’s more like a series of smaller break throughs.

Counselors Do More Than Just Talk and Listen

Therapy is based on a relationship of trust where you feel able to be open about your story. The therapist is then able to provide guidance and suggestions to help you on your path to healing and living a healthy and happy life.

Therapists Don’t Tell You What To Do

Counselors will offer guidance or suggestions and if they are helpful they can become part of your tool kit of things that help you cope. If they are not helpful, the therapist can help you change the strategy to make it more helpful or you can discard it and together find another strategy that is more beneficial.

Counseling Does Not Have To Focus On Your Childhood Or Any Other Areas You Don’t Want To Address

You might end up talking about these areas if its relevant, but it’s not required. It definitely won’t be the only thing discussed. We now have researched evidence based approaches that are not just talking and are practical and proven to help with particular issues. For example, EMDR and Play Therapy are proven techniques that help with a variety of issues but are known for helping when it’s hard to put how you feel in words.

Online Therapy Works Just As Well As In Person Therapy

Many people have questions around online therapy, but it has been shown to be just as effective as in person therapy. Most types of therapy can be done effectively online include EMDR and Somatic Therapy. However, some people do have a preference toward one way or the other. It’s important to feel able to be open and comfortable in counseling so if you have a preference that’s important to pay attention to.

I hope this helps you find the right therapist in Eureka or the right therapist for online therapy. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at (707) 954- 7060 for a free 15 minute consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. If you are looking for help with anxiety counseling, depression counseling, or trauma counseling, you can read more about how I can help here.