Online Therapy

*Clients must be physically located in either Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, or New York at the time of service because of state laws and licensing board regulations.

​

We live in a digital world. Teletherapy (a.k.a., online therapy, telehealth, telemental health, telepsychology, etc.) has been on the rise for many years.

​

Research showed that internet-based interventions were equally effective when compared to more traditional face to face interventions even before COVID-19.

​

Teletherapy offers many benefits for clients, therapists, and the greater community in general.

​

Yes, as with all things, teletherapy is not perfect. There may be rare times when audio, video, and/or internet connection & WiFi difficulties occur. Technology, you know.

 

However, there is always a contingency plan in place to mitigate these complications if and when they arise.

 

This contingency plan will be communicated with you during the phone consultation. Please feel free to ask in order to be sure about the plan.

​

We have a Business Associate Agreement with our preferred teletherapy platform(s) which ensures that the delivery of our teletherapy services are HIPAA compliant/secure.

​

We would absolutely prefer to see each other in the office. But, COVID-19. Teletherapy keeps us all more safe AND connected at the same time. COVID-19 changed our world, and it changed how we provide therapy.

 

Read more about our COVID-19 Statement here.

​

HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE ONLINE THERAPY:

​

1) Be sober. Just like you would need sobriety to get the most from your therapy session in the office, you must abstain from alcohol or any other substance use (including tobacco and vaping) during online therapy sessions even if those sessions occur online while you're at home.

 

2) Have good lighting. Consider using a ring lamp, a regular lamp, or some kind of lighting source that may be positioned in front of you and your screen so that the light is facing you and it brightens your face. Whenever the light source is behind you, then it brightens the back of your head. You don't have to set things up like the photo below, and we still recommend you consider how lighting may impact your session. This is also important if you may sit for your session near a window. Sunlight, present or not, may make it more difficult to see you.

​

3) Privacy matters. Find a private space for each and every one of your online therapy sessions. Use headphones or earbuds. Schedule your appointments during times when you can be alone in your space if you live with your spouse, family, or have room mates. Do not record your sessions for audio or video. There are federal and state laws which mandate that therapists maintain and protect your privacy, confidentiality, and protected health information. We expect your cooperation to discuss any privacy concerns you may have with us.

 

4) Optimize your time. Use the bathroom before the session begins. Clear your screen of dormant browsers and windows that you're not using during the session to increase your bandwidth and minimize potential audio, video, or Wifi & internet connection difficulties. Schedule your therapy sessions mindfully so that you do not have to rush the start or rush to get off from teletherapy to rush into a work meeting. 

​

5) Be comfortable. Dress up in full (no Zoom suits!). Stretch before session. Go ahead and fidget (stress ball, chakra stone, silly putty, etc.). Adjust your room temperature so that you're not too hot or too cold. Keep a beverage nearby like tea, coffee, water, seltzer, etc. so that you can clear your throat if you become parched. Park your car if you are driving at the time of your session. Do not teletherapy and drive!