What is an Online/Telehealth Therapy Session?

Photo by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels

Virtual therapy, telehealth, teletherapy, telemental health, telemedicine, video counseling, online therapy…. There are LOTS of terms floating around out there that all really mean one thing: meeting with your therapist using video/audio technology, similar to Zoom. Telemedicine and telehealth can also refer to other medical and health-related visits, for example with your primary care doctor. 

For the purpose of this blog, I’m going to use several of these terms referring to therapy using technology so you can see how interchangeable these terms currently are.

Virtual therapy may feel like a brand-new concept, but it actually has been in practice for several years! 

Online therapy has been gaining popularity by the minute, and it’s no surprise why that is! Meeting with your therapist online allows for increased convenience (no traffic to deal with), more flexibility with scheduling since you don’t have to factor in commute, reduced need for child care (for example needing one hour of care vs 2 or more), fewer interruptions due to snow days or illness (since you won’t need to worry about spreading any germs!) and more comfort, as you will be able to stay cozy in your own space. 

Typically, telehealth is conducted in such a way that you and your therapist are communicating with one another at the same time - synchronous communication, like when you talk over Facetime with a friend. Asynchronous communication is used to describe ways of communicating that are not simultaneous - for example, email or text. (More examples: Marco Polo and Snapchat could be considered asynchronous communication.) 

More recently due to the global pandemic, insurance companies have altered their rules about sessions having video and audio vs. just audio sessions - aka, some insurance companies are now permitting phone sessions to be covered by insurance whereas until recently this had not been the case. This can be beneficial for some clients, for example, those who are less comfortable with using technology. It can also be a great backup plan if there are technical difficulties with the video platform during your appointment. If you are interested in phone sessions, ask your therapist what their thoughts are on them.

When online therapy is carried out at its best, it is executed over a secure and HIPAA compliant video platform, meaning that your information and video are encrypted and kept private from outsiders. Currently, due to the pandemic, these regulations have been loosened at the federal level due to the high volume of need for secure platforms. It is so important that people can still get the care that they need during this pandemic, even while social distancing. (I am pleased to say that I am still able to utilize HIPAA compliant video platforms with my clients.)

One thing to keep in mind is that video counseling is still therapy done face-to-face! You will be able to see your therapist’s facial expressions and they will be able to read your body language (within the limits of the screen, of course!). The beautiful thing is that all of the knowledge, the exploration, the perspective, the empathy, the support that comes with in-person treatment is all the still there as it would be if you were sitting together in the same room. 

My clients have found being able to access therapy online makes treatment super convenient, while still having that strong working relationship and connection with me. All in all, video therapy is a useful modality that ensures you are able to get support for your mental and emotional health from the safety and comfort of your own home. 

It is real therapy, with a real therapist - using technology to make it easier and more convenient!

I hope this info about online counseling helps you find the right therapist in Connecticut or Virginia. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at 860-384-7626 for a free 15-minute phone or video consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person, or answer questions about how online therapy would work for you. If you are looking for help with anxiety, boosting self-esteem, people-pleasing, and/or perfectionism, you can read more about how I can help here.

Okay, so now that you’ve learned some more about video counseling, you’re into it and are ready to try out online therapy. You may be wondering “what will my first session be like?”

Stay tuned to learn about what to expect in your first online therapy appointment!

——

If you’re struggling with all of the changes happening related to the current coronavirus pandemic, or if you have other personal goals that you are trying to get a handle on, know that you are not alone. This is a challenging time for everyone, with so much uncertainty. If you are feeling especially overwhelmed, anxious, or vigilant, remember you can reach out to a therapist trained in anxiety or trauma to support you! We are here for you. 

If you’d like to work with me, set up a free 15 minute phone or video consultation by contacting me here or call me at 860-384-7626. Let’s chat!

Brittany Hankard, LMFT is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Connecticut and Virginia. Brittany owns an online private practice called Vibrant Solutions LLC. Brittany loves to help smart, driven, people-pleasing women move from self-doubt and perfectionism to confidence and clarity about their lives. If you are interested in working with her, click here to set up a consult or call 860-384-7626.