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Online therapy (sometimes called Telehealth counseling) may seem like a great idea, but you may be wondering how it works. It’s common to be skeptical of new things, and seeing an online counselors for something like marriage counseling or teenage depression is probably new to you and your family. After all, while it may seem daunting to talk to a therapist you have just met in person, it may seem even more strange to have such a personal exchange through technology. However, the process is really quite simple, and it offers a great deal of flexibility.
There are several methods for using telehealth with counseling. The most common way that people consider using telehealth is to talk to a therapist through a live real-time (synchronous) video application, so that you can see and hear each other as though you are in the same room. This is how we typically use telehealth counseling at Honest Counseling & Psychological Medicine. We use a secure app for confidentiality of our clients and therapists.
Limits to confidentiality & safety plans would need to be addressed by your licensed therapists who has specific training in telehealth therapy. In the end, online therapy is really not much different from traditional counseling. The only real difference is that you are not in the same room with the therapist. How therapy works, how sessions are run, and the relationship you can build with your therapist all remain the same with telehealth services. If you can be comfortable with the remoteness of the sessions, online therapy is a valid option.