Online Counseling in California
Covid has moved many things into the virtual world, even therapy. Prior to Covid I moved my practice online in order to better meet the needs of client’s who were struggling to meet due to scheduling, location and other factors that were keeping them from being able to prioritize their relationship while balancing the other demands of their life such as work and parenting. I’m a firm believer in the efficacy of online therapy for couples and have seen it help many.
Online counseling, also called tele-therapy, might be a great option for you. Aside from Covid concerns, some reasons people choose online counseling over face to face counseling include:
Convenience - No commute! Traffic in almost every city in California can be a nightmare. With online counseling the hassle of traffic and commuting to your therapist's office is removed.
Comfort - Many people prefer online counseling because it allows them to meet with a therapist from a place of their choosing. Oftentimes people feel most comfortable when they are in their own home, backyard, or personal space, a space they designed for their own maximum comfort.
Confidentiality - You don't have to worry about being seen coming or going from your therapist's office. You don't have to worry about who you might see while you are in the waiting room.
Consistency - Therapy works best if you meet with your therapist on a consistent basis. However, if you travel frequently for work or if you care for a child or aging parent, keeping a weekly appointment with your therapist may not be possible. Online counseling makes it easier to schedule and maintain consistent contact with your therapist.
Creative Scheduling - Online counseling makes it easy for us to meet during off hours such as; before work, your lunch hour, during laundry night, during evening hours, while your baby naps, and for teachers, that 4:00 pm spot right after the students leave for the day. Online counseling allows for you to get creative with your scheduling and to fit an appointment in during a time that works best for you.
How does it work? Online counseling works just like traditional face to face therapy. You and I will have a scheduled appointment. When it is time for your appointment I will email you a link to join me in an online therapy room. This will connect you and I, face to face, just like Facetime or Skype. All other office policies are the same, nothing changes except for the location of our meeting.
Is it confidential? Yes, online therapy is confidential. I use a platform called doxy.me to connect with clients, it is a secure, HIPAA compliant website that serves as our therapy room during our meetings. Doxy.me is completely online, you do not have to download an app or plugin to connect with me, you don't even have to create an account. When it is time for your appointment, just click the link that I email you, this will connect you and I to each other.
Does my insurance cover online therapy? Most plans will cover online counseling. Before our meeting I will verify your benefits and make sure that your online session is covered by your insurance.
I am an in network provider for Cigna, United Healthcare and Lyra insurance. For all other insurance plans I am considered "out of network". This means that you are responsible for the fee at the time of the appointment. Some insurance plans will cover out of network services. I encourage you to call the number on the back of your insurance card to find out what your out of network benefits are and if your insurance plan covers online counseling.
Additional Information: In order to do tele-therapy with me you must be located in the state of California. I am able to meet with people throughout the state, include the San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, and all other cities and counties in California.
Online therapy is not recommended for people who are struggling with recent thoughts of suicide. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide there is hope and there is help: National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or call the Crisis Support Services of Alameda County at 1-800-309-2131 or text the word HOME to 741741 to access crisis support via text from the Crisis Text Line.
Click the button below to schedule your free 15 minute phone consultation and learn more about how online therapy might be able to help you start feeling better.