Telehealth Therapy
Why Telehealth?
Telehealth therapy has been proven to be as effective as in-person therapy. You determine whether virtual therapy is right for you by trying it out for yourself.
What are the benefits?
Convenience and easy access – Finding care is a struggle when you have limited mobility, access to transportation or live in a remote area.
Psychological comfort – You may struggle with “just getting out the door”, ambivalence, or feeling stigmatized by going to therapy. This is a great way to move past these barriers. Being in the comfort of your home may enhance your ability to share more honestly and openly.
Time and money saving – No travel time and no gas or transportation expenses.
More consistent therapy – Weather, sickness or flat tires do not get in the way of access.
More intense therapy which can lead to faster progress – Without a commute, you can do sessions more frequently should you choose to do so.
Easier access to specialists – You might not have someone trained in what you need close to where you live, but with virtual access you can get these needs met.
What are the disadvantages?
Technical glitches and inconsistent internet connection - In the greater Seattle area – this has not been a problem given the high wi-fi speed in most areas.
Your state might require that you be located in the same state as your therapist. We can check this before you start. I am licensed in Washington State and California. Many states have lifted the in-state therapist licensure requirement.
It might be difficult for you to tell whether a virtual therapy service is reputable or safe to use and if it is HIPAA compliant. I use SimplePractice, a software program used very widely by therapists and is HIPAA compliant.
What you will need to conduct video counseling:
I use SimplePractice, which is HIPAA compliant to protect your privacy, to conduct video sessions. This can be accessed through your phone, laptop, or computer. A laptop or computer is recommended for an optimal experience.
All you need is a laptop/computer/phone in a private setting with an internet connection capable of supporting video chat. Headphones will improve audio and privacy but are not essential.
For your scheduled session time, you will receive an email with a link to our chat window. All you need to do is click on this link.
If we run into technical difficulties, I will call you to complete our session over the phone. If for some reason we are entirely unable to make the session work, we can postpone your session at no charge.
You can schedule our first appointment using the button below