What Is Online Counseling? How is it Different From In-Person Therapy?
Online counseling is simply a counseling session conducted by using a secure video communication platform. You may also see it referenced as virtual therapy, online therapy, or teletherapy.
Online therapy offers an easy, convenient method to conduct a therapy session wherever you’re located. This means we can work together whether you’re cozy at home in rural Indiana or living it up in the heart of Indy.
How I Conduct Counseling Online
I use the Telehealth by SimplePractice app for our online sessions. The platform offers securely encrypted technology and is fully HIPAA-compliant for your privacy.
For laptop & desktop users, there is no software to install. Just click the link I send you via email/text, and you’re good to go.
For mobile users, you’ll need to download the Telehealth app to your mobile device before our first session. You can find it on the App Store & Google Play.
The Benefits of Online Counseling
A few of the primary benefits of online counseling are convenience, privacy, and accessibility.
Convenience
One of the largest benefits of virtual therapy is that it offers you the convenience of participating in therapy around a schedule that works for you. This means you have the flexibility to work around your commitments by finding a session time and length that fits into your busy days—without the extra commute time.
Privacy
Online counseling offers you a level of privacy not possible with in-person sessions. Therapist offices are often located in office suites with other businesses that have their own guests coming and going.
Attending sessions online still lets you participate in therapy in the full privacy of the space you choose.
Accessibility
Many of my clients live in areas with few therapists to choose from. Others live in an area with more access to therapists, but they are unable to find one they like at a price that works for them. Bringing counseling online removes many of the physical limitations and gives you a wide range of options for who you choose to work with.
Online therapy might feel weird. That’s okay.
Some people feel completely comfortable going to their therapy session virtually.
For others, the format can feel awkward and weird.
I’m here to say: it’s okay! I feel awkward sometimes, too. Often, it takes time to get comfortable using a new tool. I invite you to embrace the weird and keep going. As with most new things, it gets easier over time.
Curious about how to make your online therapy work for you? Check out my page on Making Online Therapy Successful.