Is Online Therapy Right For Me?
The Basics Of Online Therapy And Is It Right For Me?
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the game when it came to the healthcare world in many ways. As a therapist, online therapy has allowed me to be more flexible with how, where, and when I do my therapy appointments. It has also caused me to go outside my comfort zone and pushed me to be a bit more creative with my therapy delivery too.
Thankfully, providing anxiety treatment for high achieving women in therapy is easier than ever with online therapy. Working to cope with burnout and challenge perfectionism and imposter syndrome is as effective as in-person therapy as online therapy.
This pandemic has been hard on many people. You may be thinking about attending therapy. But, you are hesitant to reach out for help because it would be online. Follow me along while I share what the experience can be like and look like.
Online Therapy is Convenient
The best part of offering online therapy is the convenience that it provides. Clients can have their online therapy sessions from almost anywhere. So, there doesn’t have to be a gap in treatment if you go out of town. Often, my clients would ask for evening appointments. Unfortunately, those appointments always fill fast. However, with online therapy, you can attend your therapy appointment in a much easier way. You could start an online therapy session on a lunch break, and never even have to leave your office.
Now, I am licensed in Online Therapy in Maryland and North Carolina. I can see anyone and anywhere within either of these two states. To learn more information about my therapy practice in each state, check out these two links.
Online Therapy in North Carolina
If you are ready to make the flexibility and convenience of online therapy work for you, learn how to get started. Learn more, or schedule your free 15-minute consultation to begin.
what is the difference between telehealth, online therapy, e-therapy, and teletherapy?
Telehealth, teletherapy, e-therapy, and online therapy are all the same right?
By now you have likely heard these terms used. After COVID-19 hit, healthcare professions and professionals likey switched to all virtual appointments. At least for a time.
While they all include some form of virtual healthcare that does not mean they are all the same thing.
Online therapy, e-therapy, and teletherapy are three terms used in the mental health world. They're used to describe having digital or online therapy appointments. Other professions such as occupational therapy and speech therapy may use these terms as well.
The term telehealth gets used as more of a general umbrella term to describe all health-related areas occurring online.
How Does Online Therapy In North Carolina and Maryland work?
For my clients, I use a system that has a client portal made for each person. This portal will be your hub for your online therapy service. This is where you will complete the intake paperwork. It's also where you can view and share bills and invoices. The video platform for our session happens through this as well.
The video platform allows me to see my client, hear my client, and share my screen with my client. It is HIPAA compliant meaning it is a secure place for patient data.
You receive an email when there is information in your portal that needs your attention. Or, when information is being shared with the client. You also receive email and text message notifications when you create an appointment. And, then again as a reminder 48 hours before your appointment occurs. AND to make it even easier there is a link right to your video session in the text message and email.
What do I Need to Have to Be Successful during Online Counseling?
All that's required is to be in a place where you can have privacy away from others. This can happen in your home, at your work, or even in your car (let’s be safe, not while driving, parked cars only). One of the coolest things about doing online therapy from home or work is that we can make things happen or change in real-time. I can see the environment, helping to give context to what is happening for you. And even better, you can bring your pet to the session with you as comfort if you need some extra support (by far the best part of doing online therapy right now. Show me all the pets!).
What if the internet goes out?
Technology is never 100% guaranteed. Most times the platform works with no problems or very easy fixes. This may look like me or the client exiting out and then returning. In times when technology is not working as expected, there are a few different options to proceed with the session.
Ok, but how do you do therapy online?
So like I said before, online therapy has forced me to become more creative at times. When in-person with my clients, we'll sometimes do activities. I give handouts or lead a client through a relaxation exercise to help manage stress and anxiety.
Thankfully, I am still able to do these things but some of them might need a bit of planning ahead of time. I still lead clients through relaxation exercises. I share worksheets and handouts with clients (plus side they are uploaded in the portal and sent through email. No more lost copies!). And, I have found ways to do some of my favorite activities with clients through online therapy.
My therapy-providing skills don’t change, only the location of where we are!
So I know what you are probably thinking
Ok Laura, but isn’t it weird to not sit across from me? Can you make a therapeutic connection through a screen?
I recognize at first it may seem “weird” or even uncomfortable. Sometimes it feels that way at first and sometimes it doesn’t. I do believe it is completely possible to still develop a connection. What I encourage my clients to do is bring their personality to the session. Just, as you would if we were meeting in person. I will certainly be doing so too!
using ONLINE THERAPY for your treatment
I provide treatment to women experiencing anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout. The modalities of therapy I use are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Mindfulness interventions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for online therapy is the process of identifying how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are linked. Cognitive behavioral therapy online goal is to find unhelpful patterns in your thinking and behaviors. Then, try to change and challenge them.
Check out this blog post on cognitive behavioral therapy to learn more - What is CBT Therapy?
Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with online therapy encourages you to be more present. It also encourages using psychological flexibility to attend to your thoughts and feelings. Using acceptance and commitment therapy for online therapy uses mindfulness, and living life based on the values you find important.
Solution Focused Brief Therapy is geared towards finding solutions rather than digging deep into what the problem is. This form of therapy builds off of a client’s strengths and what they are already doing that is working for them.
Using mindfulness in online therapy is a wonderful intervention. It's used to help stay present-focused. It can synergize with CBT and is already a big part of ACT. Mindfulness can be helpful for allowing you to feel more in control of your choices, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is also a great tool to create and establish compassion and kindness for self and others.
Check out this helpful blog post on mindfulness to learn more -
What is Mindfulness and How is it Used in Anxiety Therapy?
All these treatment modalities and interventions can easily be done via online therapy.
To learn more check out these other blog posts:
5 Tips for Choosing the Best Anxiety Therapist in Wilmington, NC
is online therapy covered by insurance?
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of insurance companies are covering online therapy. And, adding it to plans. But, this is not a guarantee that every plan covers this benefit. You will have to verify this benefit with your insurance before beginning services.
If you plan to self-pay you have more flexibility with online therapy. Most states only mandate that a therapist be licensed in the state they are providing therapy in. That therapist does not have to be present in that state at the same time. Not all states follow this rule. So, your online therapist should be aware of these rules and regulations.
pros and Cons: An Online Therapy Review
As a refresher let’s do a small review by identifying some pros and cons of online therapy:
PROS:
No longer having to rush to appointments or worrying about traffic! All you need is a lunch break hour. FLEXIBILITY!
Bring your pet with you to the session for extra support. When you pet your furry friend it releases those “feel good” hormones serotonin and dopamine. And who doesn’t like that?
Ease of use! All documents, billing invoices, worksheets, and video platforms happen in one place!
Most insurance carriers are now adding online therapy as a covered benefit into plans
CONS:
An unreliable internet connection at times can make it challenging. (Technology. Am I right?)
The possibility of not feeling that connection with the therapist because it is a virtual appointment.
Possibility of online therapy not being a covered benefit on your insurance plan
Privacy. Finding someplace where you are alone and safe from anyone hearing or seeing your conversation. Earbuds and headphones work great for this!
Begin online therapy in North Carolina and Maryland
If you have been thinking about wanting to attend therapy but are not sure because it would be online, I encourage you to give it a try. reach out and schedule your free 15-minute consultation. You can give it a try at no cost. Then, make a decision about it afterward (You know, the whole “don’t knock it til you try it thing.”).
I am licensed in both Maryland and North Carolina and able to provide online therapy for anxiety treatment in both locations. To start your online therapy journey, follow these steps below:
Schedule a free 15-minute consult using one of the buttons below
Complete brief questionnaire sent to your email
meet with your new caring therapist
Start healing from the comfort of your own home
online therapy in maryland
online therapy in North Carolina
OTHER SERVICES OFFERED AT CALM WATERS COUNSELING
Online therapy isn’t the only service offered at my Wilmington, NC counseling practice. In addition to online therapy in Maryland or North Carolina, Calm Waters Counseling also offers counseling for women, treatment for perfectionism, anxiety treatment, therapy for imposter syndrome, and burnout counseling. You can also read my blog here!
Learn more about the therapist
Click the link to learn more about me and my therapy practice, Calm Waters Counseling.
Written by: Laura Rippeon, LCSW, LCSW-C
Updated 3/12/23