What is online therapy?
Instead of being in a shared physical space, we meet virtually for online therapy sessions via a secure, telemedicine platform for your privacy, confidentiality, and convenience.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Yes! While online therapy or counseling may feel different than if we were to be meeting in person, it produces equivalent results. Research on online therapy (both audio and audio-video) goes back to the 1960s as healthcare providers began exploring how they could meet the needs of hard-to-reach and under-served populations (i.e., residents of rural areas). A major and more recent review of telemental health (Hilty, et al., 2013) found online counseling to be effective — comparable to in-person services and increasing access to care.
Is online therapy secure?
Yes, the audio-video telemedicine platform we will use is HIPAA-compliant to protect the privacy of your personal health information. Please note that because we aren’t in person (and together in the same enclosed office space), it’s important for you to set up a quiet, private space where you will feel comfortable for the duration of your counseling session (i.e., in a room with the door closed; white noise on; alone in a car; child- or pet-care arranged, if needed).
What do I need for an online therapy session?
In addition to finding a quiet space to be in for your session, you’ll need to ensure that it has a solid internet connection to minimize freezing, lagging, and other wonky issues — we’ll also decide on a plan for what we’ll do in case of such technical difficulties. If we’re using video, you’ll need a device with a camera/webcam and a standard browser (i.e., Chrome, Firefox, Safari), You won’t need to download any apps, just click a link.
Why choose online therapy?
Even prior to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, virtual therapy/online counseling provided an accessible option for receiving mental health care services. By cutting out the expense and hassle of transportation time on someone else’s schedule, you’re able to make appointments that work with your needs and timing. With the many compounding stresses of the pandemic, being able to easily access mental health services and support your holistic well-being is more essential than ever before.
Why only in California?
Therapists are only allowed to provide services to clients who are located within the state where a therapist is licensed — which for me is California.