How do I know I will be successful with online counseling?
The most important indicator of successful counseling revolves around the therapeutic relationship. Successful treatment is determined more closely by the therapist/client fit as opposed to whether or not the treatment occurs face-to-face or online.
Given that counseling is effective with treating a variety of challenges, if you would consider trying face-to-face counseling, you would likely benefit from receiving online counseling as well. Online counseling is specifically useful as it is flexible, convenient, and helps clients who might experience feelings of shame, be able to receive counseling in a discreet manner. I have served clients who were in abusive relationships and could not leave their homes. Providing online counseling permitted these clients to gain access to counseling when they would have been unable to receive it otherwise. I serve a lot of clients who work, and are unable to leave work to attend a counseling session. Some of my clients benefit from not having to worry about arranging child care or having to struggle with transportation issues whether that means traffic, finding parking, or taking time to get dressed to leave the house. The online counseling modality is specifically useful for clients who reside in rural communities and those facing mobility challenges. I have also received significant success with online counseling with individuals who travel and tech-savvy teenagers who are more comfortable with using technology. Students who are busy with after school and extracurricular activities, tend to find online counseling convenient and effective in providing them treatment. Thus, the answer to this question might be better addressed by reviewing whom online counseling IS NOT GOOD for. Online counseling is not recommended for individuals without any access to a computer, phone, or tablet. Online counseling is also not recommended for individuals who are at risk for harming themselves or others.
I’m not good with technology. Does this mean that I cannot benefit from online counseling?
The technology required is minimal and can be self taught or taught by the clinician assigned to the client. If technical difficulties occur during session, technical support is available for us immediately, through doxy.me, our online platform. Thus, all you need in order to benefit from online counseling, is a phone, computer, or tablet and access to the internet. We also recommend headphones and access to a private area (ie. bedroom, living room) and not an open area such as Starbucks in order to reduce the potential for distractions as well as in order to protect your confidentiality.
To check in for your video visit, please follow the directions here.
What makes online counseling with Tech Talk Therapy different from other, mainstream online counseling services?
Here, at Tech Talk Therapy, we value providing quality care with person centered services. With many of the other, more popular on-line counseling services, provide an initial contact that is extremely technologically driven and lacks the person centeredness provided by Tech Talk Therapy. Here, however, we know that when someone reaches out for help, they want to talk to a human being, not a piece of equipment which is unable to support or validate their emotions. We value being able to provide technology that is person centered as opposed to forcing our clients to withhold their emotional feelings which drove them to seeking therapy in the first place.
Online counseling is usually cheaper? Why should I pay full price for online counseling with Tech Talk Therapy when many mainstream online counseling businesses offer discounted psychotherapy services?
At Tech Talk Therapy we offer our services at standard prices, and not at a reduced rates which would imply that our online counseling services are provided at a reduced quality. Therapist who are chosen to work with Tech Talk Therapy, have been established as effective clinicians and that is determined more than simply obtaining a license with a good resume and references. Reimbursement, therefore, accommodates the staffs time and expertise level. Furthermore, like the clients we serve, therapist are also vulnerable to burnout and resentment towards the companies with whom hire them when they do not feel adequately compensated for their work. This leads to substandard care and often therapist leave the practices because they feel that they are not appreciated. This negatively affects clients treatment.
We also offer our clients homework to be utilized in between sessions so that they can be sure to get their money’s worth. This added benefit to our clients is associated with more favorable outcomes, reduced chances of remission, provides additional therapy for clients outside of the therapy session, implements a healthy routine of documentation, and provides notes for medical staff if and when necessary to coordinate care. This all works together to provide each client with the most “bang for their buck!”
I don’t know about you but I’m not letting the $8 hair stylist touch my hair! We should set the same standard for our healthcare.
What’s the difference between talking to a therapist or friend?
I believe this is one of the most amazing and impactful parts of counseling. In counseling, you don’t have to filter your experience, you don’t have to tailor your story. You can be authentically you! A mental health professional can help you approach your situation in a new way- teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Furthermore, therapy is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about others “knowing my business.” In counseling, you are talked to in a way that most of your friends probably don’t talk to you. You are asked different types of questions that allow you to explore yourself in a way that is different than if you were having the same conversation with a friend or family member.
How long will it take?
Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular weekly sessions initially, and then space them out as you we see progress.
If I commit to therapy, what can I expect? How can I get the most out of therapy?
It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in and commit to the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in sessions back into your life. Beyond the work we do in your therapy sessions, I am a big advocate for implementation of skills and homework outside of our sessions together. In order to see change, we must implement our work in our daily lives.
Do you take insurance?
We are currently in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, CIGNA, and Tricare. While we do check benefits for clients, we always recommend that clients check their benefits as well so that they can have the information that they need to make an informed decision before the first session. Occasionally, insurance policies change and therefore it is best for the therapist and client to speak with the insurance provider.
DISCLAIMER:
While we offer in-network benefits to the aforementioned insurances, we caution individuals about the repercussions for using health insurance to pay for psychotherapy. The reason for the discouragement, is that to bill in network benefits, clients have to be diagnosed with a mental disorder. This disorder stays apart of your permanent record and can be used as a barrier for getting many other forms of protective insurance such as life insurances. Furthermore, study’s show that when consumers pay for something, they are more committed. Often times, and this is not always the case, but people who use insurances do not make as much of an effort because they are not financially responsible for their progress. By making more of a financial commitment to therapy, clients will likely make more of an emotional commitment to therapy and progress quicker.
If concerns of this matter are not important to you, then by all means, please take advantage of insurance benefits. But if you are not self motivated and would rather avoid the mental health diagnoses and paper trail associated with insurance utilization, we encourage paying privately for counseling services.
