Is Online Therapy for Me?

Good question. The truth is that as a therapist, I never thought I would be administering therapy online. I am a very dynamic person and the idea of staring at "virtual" clients seemed strange.

It took me a while to get used to it, but I can honestly say that the benefits of video therapy have come alive for me. Don't get me wrong. I love my in-person clients. But online therapy allows me to see the client's face up close and allows him/her to see me. Most importantly, it allows clients the convenience of therapy from the comfort and safety of their home. 

Still, online therapy isn't for everyone. Technology can fail us: batteries die, software malfunctions, and wifi can fail. Privacy may be hard to come by in your home. For those people, I am more than happy to see you in-person. And yet, the fact remains that for many people, online therapy is the best option.

If you've read this far and you are still unsure what you'd like to do, here are a few points to consider:

Is Online Therapy Private?

While nothing is as secure as in-person sessions, I do want to assure you that from our end, we have done everything possible to make your online therapy as secure as possible. My video therapy is performed in my office, where the sound machine is outside the door. The wireless Verizon wifi is securely private and password-protected. My computer is specifically protected from breaches to confidentiality using AES encryption algorithm in cipher block chaining (CBC).

Is Online Therapy Effective?

Although there are always exceptions, multiple studies have demonstrated that you will find online (video) therapy just as effective as in-person therapy, as long as proper privacy is implemented and technology is in working order. Scores of these studies exist, and in case you'd like to read a few, I included some here and here . 

The only caveat that I would add comes from my personal experience. I've noticed that people who have severe dissociation may not derive the same benefits that other people would. If you are unsure whether you suffer from severe dissociation, you can ask me and I would be happy to provide my assessment. 

Will Online Therapy Be Covered by Insurance?

My colleagues and I have found that most insurances have made a provision for online therapy due to COVID-19. However, this is not a guarantee as every insurance has their own policies. I would check with your insurance to determine whether they will still reimburse you for out-of-network telehealth services.

Final Thoughts

Fear, loneliness, dread, and terror can shake the strongest soul. If that is you, please reach out to me for a free video consultation. I would be happy to care for you during an online video consultation for a few minutes, even if you end up electing not to start therapy with me. Each person who is bravely facing their situation has a special place in my heart and I feel blessed and honored to serve you, especially during this difficult time.

Take care,

Danny