Reasons to use teletherapy instead of in-person counseling

Since the pandemic, Americans have become far more comfortable with platforms like Zoom or Doxy, Sessions (my current favorite), or other forms of online health or meeting tools. Many clients who had never considered going to therapy using an online platform quickly found the benefits far outweigh the costs.

Here is a short-list of reasons why my clients have found and embraced online therapy:

• Talking from the comfort and surroundings of their own home, office (yes, a few have shut their office door and gotten their therapy sessions), car (yes, as long as you are NOT DRIVING your car, we can sit together from your parked car and conduct therapy), and even outdoor sessions have been conducted as long as privacy is available! The flexibility provided for the client (and I'm not going to lie -- for the therapist) is a big draw.

• Cuts down on driving to and from, as well as saves on gas expenses (if you have an electric car, I guess you can ignore this one savings)

• No one will see you entering the therapist's workplace! Your privacy is completely private.

• Cultivating a relationship over the telehealth platform has been researched and the findings show that both in-person and tele therapy experience the same success rate. So you decide which one works best for you.

• There is no recording of therapy sessions for any reason by either counselor or client.

• My telehealth platform options are all HIPPA-compliant.

• All paperwork can be easily completed online, saving time and allowing us to get started on the road to wellbeing right away.

• Individuals who struggle with anxiety, meeting new people and being alone in a room talking about things that are troubling, can just turn on their device and meet someone who understands their struggles and isn't there to judge. It's all about the relationship when it comes to helping someone heal.

• If we have a technological breakdown (on either end), we just touch base and reschedule. Nothing in life is guaranteed.