How do I know if online therapy is right for me?
Virtual therapy is very convenient and can offer a level of convenience and flexibility that may not be possible for in-person appointments. For example, some clients are not able to leave work/school during the day to come to in-person appointments, but are able to meet virtually during their lunch hour or when they have downtime in their workday. Online counseling also saves on time and gas that would normally be spent driving to in-person therapy.
College students who live and go to school in Massachusetts and/or Rhode Island can really benefit from video therapy as well. Some like to attend face-to-face appointments during the summer or when home on break, but then are able to continue therapy when they head back to school. This prevents the stress and confusion of finding a new therapist to see while in school, and transitioning back and forth between two therapists depending if the student is at home or in school.
There are some health and safety benefits to online counseling as well. Some clients also prefer virtual therapy if they have health issues, or are at high risk of COVID-19 or other illnesses. Being able to meet over a smartphone, tablet, or laptop also makes therapy accessible during inclement weather and transportation issues (or lack of transportation).
Another positive is that virtual therapy makes getting specialized treatment (such as for anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, or phobias) with a provider like myself more accessible. For example, even though it is possible to attend in-office sessions if you live in Dover, Weston, Wellesley, or Sherborn, it is still a bit of a drive and can be more difficult at times due to traffic conditions. For those living in Brookline, Lexington, or Winchester, virtual therapy is much more convenient due to the longer distance and Boston traffic. With video therapy, distance doesn’t matter because you are not limited to local therapists. You can attend counseling from anywhere in Massachusetts, including but not limited to: Hingham, Boxford, Southborough, Nantucket, Longmeadow, Deerfield, Provincetown, Oak Bluffs, and Sheffield. This is especially important during this time when there is a high need for mental health services.
In some cases, there may also be greater flexibility or options for certain exposures/treatment sessions that would be more difficult or less effective to replicate in my office. For individuals who may be concerned about running into people they may know on their way to and from office-based sessions, telehealth can provide comfort in offering more privacy. If you are concerned about video therapy working as well as in-person sessions, there is good news! Research demonstrates that virtual therapy is just as effective as traditional in-person therapy.1
There can also be downsides to virtual therapy. For example, some people find they have a harder time connecting with others over video, or may not have enough privacy for virtual sessions. Some clients find that they are too distracted, or have pets, children, or others at home who may interrupt them. Although I am able to see facial expressions over video telehealth, it does not allow me to fully assess body language and other nonverbal cues, which can lead to misinterpretation.
Since the pandemic started, many individuals find they do not leave the house as often, which tends to have a negative impact on mental health. Having in-office appointments can provide motivation to get out of the house. Lastly, for people with more severe mental illness or that require more intensive treatment, in-person therapy is recommended.
Is virtual therapy in Massachusetts safe?
I use a HIPAA compliant platform (sessions by Psychology Today). It is critical that you have privacy, a reliable internet or data connection, and are alone during your sessions. I have some clients who attend telehealth therapy in their parked car in a safe, private location (in Massachusetts) for their sessions.
Setting up for success with virtual therapy in Massachusetts
There are a few key guidelines that will help/allow you to have the best experience possible with virtual therapy. These include:
- Having a strong, reliable internet and/or data connection.
- Bookmark the telehealth link on your device for fast and easy access to the website for your appointment.
- Confidentiality is key! You must be by yourself for your appointment (unless if we both discussed and agreed on another person joining this particular session for a specific purpose). Even if you do not care if friends/family/significant others are in the same room as you or can hear your conversation during session, it does not matter. I cannot guarantee or protect your confidentiality if you are not alone for your session. Even if you feel comfortable with the other person(s), you will not be able to get the most out of your session. It is hard to speak freely if you have to worry about what those around you might think.
- Some clients who do not have privacy for sessions at home or work will do video sessions from their parked car in a private, safe location where they have a strong, reliable data connection. If you do this, please do NOT be driving or in a car with others!
- Ensure your smartphone, tablet, or laptop have a working microphone and camera, and are fully charged.
- If using a smartphone, have a pair of headphones available in case of audio feedback issues.
- Let the light in! Have some natural and/or artificial light facing you, not behind you.
- Close out of other programs/apps/windows to reduce distractions and avoid poor video quality or lagging audio.
- Make sure your device is not scheduled to update software around or during the time of your appointment.
Are you ready to begin online therapy in Massachusetts? Contact me to get started.
If you are still uncertain if video therapy in Massachusetts is right for you, we can talk through it together during your phone consult. I also provide video teletherapy for individuals living in Rhode Island, or in-person counseling in North Attleboro, Massachusetts.
References
- Spotts-De Lazzer, A., MA, LMFT, LPCC, CEDS-S. (2021, December 6). 10 Essential Points About Online vs. In-Person Therapy. Www.psychologytoday.com. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meaningfull/202112/10-essential-points-about-online-vs-in-person-therapy