With all that is going on right now with requests for Social Distancing, it seems like a pretty good time to stay in the house and not go outside unless you absolutely need to for essentials. It seems almost as if the whole nation is taking a brief recess as we all take the time we need to heal, grow stronger, and take care of each other.
Although there are a lot of questions about the unknown in the upcoming weeks, we thought this would be a fitting time to talk to you about Online Therapy, which is available for you to utilize through Hope & Healing Counseling and other clinical offices. We are going to highlight the benefits for Online Therapy, what is needed to start, and what types of patients this would be beneficial for.
So first, letโs discuss what exactly Online Therapy is.
Online Therapy, sometimes known as telemental health, is a way to have counseling services through your computer, phone, or laptop so you are able to have a one-on-one session with your counselor from the comfort of your home, your office, or even while you are out on the road.
You will have access to a HIPAA compliant platform for every session. When something is HIPAA compliant, that means that your information is safe and secured through the platformโs server per HIPAA standards, so you do not have to worry about the privacy of your private, personal, or mental health information during your conversation with your counselor. You can rest assured knowing that your session is secure and you are in a safe space to be open and honest about how you are doing.
The Online Therapy itself is going to be just like going in to see your counselor. You will have all the benefits of coming into the office to see your counselor, without having to actually do so. You will be able to discuss your goals, treatment plans, and still have that personal interaction with your counselor. Nearly everything that you do in your normal sessions in-office can be done online with Online Therapy.
Online Therapy has many benefits, but we want to touch base on what some of the major benefits are for our clients.
If you are someone who struggles with social anxiety or anxieties around coming into an office of any kind, Online Therapy can give you the freedom of mind to know that you do not have to come into an office to see your provider. You are able to do this safely from the comfort of your own house.
If you have ongoing worries about going into the public with COVID-19 concerns, you are able to still practice your Social Distancing, and see your provider from home. This way you still have access to take care of your mental health while also looking after your physical health.
If you are someone who is working away from home for a while, or is on the road a lot, Online Therapy may be a great option for you as well. If this sounds like you, and you need to see your counselor for your regularly scheduled therapies, or something immediate comes up while you are away that you need to discuss, Online Therapy is here for you.
So what would you need to get started?
The first thing would be a device that has video chat capabilities. This could be a smartphone, a computer with a webcam, a tablet, or a laptop. This ensures that our counselors are able to see you just as well as you are able to see us.
The next thing we recommend is a set of headphones. Whether it is a simple five dollar pair of earbuds from your local gas station, or a more expensive pair of over-the-ear headphones, anything that allows you to hear your counselor while keeping your communications private between just the two of you will work great.
Lastly, you will need a strong Internet connection. You can test if your Internet connection is strong enough for Online Therapy by hopping onto YouTube and streaming a video. If the video streams with a clean picture and no stuttering or stopping, you should have a strong enough connection for services.
Another thing we suggest, for continuity of care, is finding a place where you will not be disturbed for the duration of your visit. This ensures that you are able to have a connected conversation with your counselor without any fear of interruptions.
So, it really is that easy!
Online Therapy is a wonderful technology that has given us an opportunity to expand our reach to many clients from all walks of lives, which in turn makes us better able to accommodate our clientโs needs.
You still have access to the same high level of care that you would at our office, but all from whatever location is most comfortable for you.
Are you interested in scheduling an Online Therapy session? Please contact us, and as always, if you have any questions please let us know!
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