Why Online Therapy

You’d be surprised how often I get asked…

… if it’s just text-based therapy. While some people offer that, I prefer to see your pretty face! In all seriousness… it helps. Lots of communication happens on our faces, and I don’t want to miss it.

I also get asked a lot if I “think it really works.” While my initial response to this question is “Why would I do something that I don’t think works?” I actually do get the concern. It’s different. I’m just a little face on a screen, and therapy can be pretty intense, after all.

So how can we possibly be connected enough to do real work?

Well, I would ask you to recall your favorite character in your favorite movie. You know… the one you root for every time you watch it… the one you laugh and cry with. I think you get my point.

The relationship we build is real, and so is the work.

Online therapy can be incredibly powerful. I’ve seen people’s lives really change.

A big part of what is so powerful about therapy is being truly seen and heard by someone else. Feeling like the person on the other end of the line cares how you’re feeling and can understand how and why you got where you are. And that is certainly possible in an online setting.

Some of my clients followed me from in person work to working online. And something interesting happened. For some clients being in their own space seemed to help them open up more and more quickly. It really surprised me!

But in sessions where I was expecting to have some build up and some dancing around the hard stuff (it’s pretty normal, after all), they just got right to it! And that meant we got to do more in less time.

In my work, I use my presence quite a bit.

I use the relationship we build to help the client grow and heal through experiencing being seen and still being safe.

I was worried when I started online work that this wouldn’t translate well. You can imagine my relief the first time I asked a client to look at me in a hard moment and asked them what they felt from me.

They felt compassion from me, and they felt secure in the knowledge that they were safe being seen by me, even in a moment filled with shame and fear. When you get down to it, it doesn’t get much more powerful than that.

Clients really appreciate meeting online for a number of reasons.

I actually have an online therapist myself. And I have to say… when I remember driving 30-45 minutes one way for an hour-long appointment, I can’t say I’d want to go back.

I also remember underestimating online therapy in the beginning. I recall having to hunt down tissues in the middle of my first online session! Now I make sure to have them handy… just in case.

Really, though… I’m not going to judge if you’re still in pajamas. It’s one of the best things about meeting online. You get to be comfy… in your own space. Basically, I bring the therapy to you, when and where it’s most convenient. It’s hard to argue with that!

So, if you’re looking for advice when trying out online therapy…

Here is what I’d say:

Make sure your Internet is strong.

Make sure you have privacy.

Make sure you have tissues.

Get comfy.

When you make this call, you are taking the first step…

… the first step in deciding you want to make a change. You’re committing to the idea that you deserve to feel better. That how things have been is not how they will be.

No commute. No weird couch or uncomfortable waiting areas. Just the support you need to finally change what you want to and live the life you want for yourself.

Still have questions? Call or text me today: (703) 972-5705.