At Healthy Connections Counseling Center, we believe in the significant value of in-person therapy sessions. However, with the onset of the COVID pandemic in 2020, we have all become more experienced with the various methods of telehealth (aka, teletherapy, telemedicine, video therapy, phone counseling, etc.). Like many, we were initially reluctant. We had never tried such a thing. And thankfully, we’ve had many positive experiences with telehealth. In fact, for many clients, the work has been enhanced. For example, being able to help a child conquer their fear of the dark while in their own space, or help a family conduct a meeting at their own dining room table. These experiences in their own homes has increased the satisfaction of our clients and the success of the interventions.
Research suggests that for many disorders, telehealth can be as effective as in-person therapy. There are many benefits to seeking telehealth with a licensed therapist. Telehealth is ideal for people who cannot leave their home, or who don’t have time to travel back and forth for appointments. Some people work unconventional hours or live in rural or remote areas. Telehealth can save time and effort required to physically visit a treatment center every week or month. This makes it much easier for clients to follow a predefined treatment schedule without any interruptions. It can also be a great resource for clients who emotionally feel they cannot attend in-person sessions. Many young people also find it easier to connect or participate in a video/audio call to talk about their issues/disorder, rather than visiting a clinic or an office.
But let’s be honest. Telehealth is not ideal for every situation. Sometimes there’s no internet. It can limit the use of some modalities such as art and play therapy, certain grief and trauma treatments, etc. It can be hard for some couples or children to connect with a counselor over a screen. If you have questions or concerns, please talk with your clinician about them.
We assure you that the telehealth provided at Healthy Connections Counseling Center via video call or phone session is just as effective and helpful as traditional therapy. And if your circumstances suggest that it’s not, we will let you know. Our team of professionals will always work closely with you, your child, and your family while providing the best treatment possible for your specific situation.
Many of our clinicians have been certified in telehealth. And of course, all our clinicians follow HIPAA guidelines and best practices when using telehealth with our clients. All you need to see a Healthy Connections Counseling Center clinician via telehealth is a cell phone, computer or tablet with a webcam and a strong internet connection. You can access your session from your home, dorm room, office or any other private space. We use only HIPAA compliant platforms such as Zoom, Google Hangouts, Doxy, and others. If a video conferencing session seems too cumbersome or is somehow not available, we are also able to provide sessions by telephone and in-person.