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Online Therapy
What is Online Therapy?
Online therapy, also called virtual therapy or teletherapy, allows you to meet with a licensed therapist through secure video sessions instead of coming into an office. Sessions work much like traditional therapy, except you attend from a private space using your phone, tablet, or computer.
Online therapy can be a convenient, effective way have therapy without needing to commute to an office and without being limited to the therapists within driving distance.
Based in the Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch area, serving adults throughout Florida through secure video sessions.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
For many common mental health concerns, online therapy can be similarly effective to in-person therapy. The American Psychological Association notes that teletherapy, including therapy by phone or videoconferencing, has shown similar outcomes to traditional in-person therapy. Research comparing telehealth and in-person mental health treatment has also found telehealth to be a viable alternative to in-person therapy.
That said, online therapy is not the perfect fit for every person or every situation. Some people strongly prefer being physically present in the same room. Others may need a higher level of care, more intensive support, or services that cannot be safely or effectively provided through video.
For many adults seeking therapy for anxiety, panic, insomnia, stress, burnout, emotional overwhelm, or life challenges, online therapy can work very well.
Benefits of online therapy
Online therapy has several practical advantages.
You do not have to commute, sit in traffic, find parking, or build extra travel time into your day. This can make therapy easier to fit around work, parenting, school, caregiving, or other responsibilities.
Online therapy can also make it easier to access care if you live in an area where there are fewer local therapists who are a good fit. Since I am licensed in Florida, I can provide virtual therapy to adults located anywhere in the state during session.
Some clients also find it easier to open up from their own space. Being at home, in a private office, or another comfortable location can make therapy feel more accessible and less intimidating.
Online therapy may be especially helpful if you:
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Have a busy schedule
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Prefer not to commute
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Live outside the therapist’s immediate local area
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Want access to a therapist who specializes in your concerns
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Feel more comfortable meeting from your own space
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Need therapy that fits more easily into your day
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Are seeking support for anxiety, insomnia, panic, burnout, or stress
Drawbacks of online therapy
Online therapy is convenient, but it is not perfect.
You need a private space where you can speak openly without being overheard. That can be difficult if you live with family, roommates, children, or others who are frequently nearby.
Technology can also occasionally be annoying. Internet connections freeze, audio can glitch, links sometimes need to be resent. We work with it, but it is a real part of online therapy in much the same way traffic and waiting rooms are part of in-person therapy.
Online therapy may also feel less personal for some clients. While many people feel very connected through video, others prefer the experience of being physically present in an office.
Online therapy may not be the right fit if you need crisis-level care, intensive treatment, frequent emergency support, or a level of monitoring that cannot be provided virtually.
Is online therapy secure?
Online therapy should be provided in a way that protects your privacy. As a healthcare provider, I use HIPAA secure systems designed for telehealth and follow industry standard privacy practices.
That said, privacy is a shared responsibility in online therapy. I am responsible for using appropriate systems and protecting your information on my end. You are responsible for choosing a private location, using your own device when possible, and taking reasonable steps to prevent others from overhearing your session.
For the best privacy, I recommend:
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Attending from a private room
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Using headphones if others are nearby
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Avoiding public Wi-Fi when possible
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Making sure no one else can overhear you
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Letting me know if privacy is limited so we can plan accordingly
Do I need special technology for online therapy?
No special equipment is usually needed.
You will need:
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A phone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone
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A stable internet connection
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A private space for session
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A link to join the secure video appointment
Most clients use a laptop, desktop computer, tablet, or smartphone. A computer or tablet is often more comfortable for a full therapy session, but a phone can work if needed. The telehealth platform I use requires users to download an app if using a smartphone or tablet and only requires the appointment link if using a computer.
I provide virtual therapy for adults located anywhere in Florida. My practice is based in the Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch area, but you do not need to live locally to work with me.
Through secure video sessions, I support adults dealing with anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, burnout, life stress, depression, boundaries, and emotional health.
If you are interested in online therapy, you can reach out to ask about availability or schedule a consultation. We can talk about what you are looking for, whether online therapy seems like a good fit, and what working together would look like.
Therapy does not have to require a commute, a waiting room, or rearranging your entire day. Online therapy can provide meaningful support from a space that already feels familiar to you.
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