What is Online Therapy?

 

Online Therapy is known by several names:

Telehealth, Teletherapy, Mental Health Counseling, or Online Counseling.

 

Online Therapy, like traditional counseling that takes place in person, is a mental health service that can be provided through online mediums such as mobile apps, video conferences, text messages, email, or any platform where a conversation can occur virtually. At NeMa Global Therapy, we provide live, interactive video sessions using Simple Practice, which is HIPAA compliant and HITRUST certified.  The HITRUST framework is the gold standard of security certifications in the healthcare industry.

 

Double Check: While many insurance companies offer coverage for telehealth, it is still important to verify that a counselor is in-network and that online sessions are covered by your plan.

 

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Why do people like online therapy?

 

• Privacy. Because you can access NeMa Global Therapy from anywhere, you can enjoy quality treatment from the privacy of your own home. Our platform is secure so all your confidential records are safe. 

• Comfort. Because you’re in control of your environment, you can set it up to make your session as comfortable as possible. Being comfortable in your session and having a personalized experience can help you focus better on the work you need to do.

• Convenient. Being able to see your therapist online is super convenient. It eliminates travel time, childcare, and can be more easily fit in between other meetings and commitments.

• Personal connection. When you receive your counseling online, you still enjoy a personal connection with your therapist.

• Privacy: clients only see their therapist without an admin staff or other clients in a busy clinic.

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Is it as effective as in person?

 

 Research has found that online therapy can be effective at treating anxiety, depression, and trauma. There is no difference in patient satisfaction depending on whether therapy is online or in-person.[1]

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Is Online Therapy effective for kids?

 

Online and virtual therapies are effective resources for addressing the mental health needs of youth. It’s often used to treat anxiety and depression, but it can be used to treat a variety of other conditions as well. [2]

 

Bonus for children telehealth:

 

• Kids can design their own “safe space” for therapy sessions that includes all their favorite comfort items: loveys, pets, and favorite snacks allowed!

• For parents with demanding work schedules or non-traditional hours, online sessions can be easier to manage than in-person therapy, because there is no commute required.

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Something to think about:

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For some kids, individual virtual counseling may not be the best option. While some of these issues can be problem-solved in session, other kids might benefit more from another form of therapy, such as family counseling, parenting skills coaching, or face-to-face sessions, when available. Here are a few factors that might make individual online therapy more difficult for kids:

• Very young children have a harder time paying attention to a screen. For those age 3-6, parenting sessions might be a better bet.

• Some kids who struggle with attentional issues may have a tough time with online therapy, since it might require them to sit still for longer. This is especially true for younger children. Older elementary on up do better with online care, but you know your child best.

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What to look out for when considering online therapy?

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Is the therapist licensed? NeMa Global Therapy’s providers are both licensed. All psychologists and other professional health providers must be licensed by the state in which they practice. Licensure laws protect you by ensuring only those who are trained and qualified to practice receive a license. It also ensures that you have recourse if there are problems with your treatment. Before you sign up for any Web services, find out who you are working with, if he or she has a license, where that license is held and the license number. Most states offer an online, searchable directory of professionals licensed in their state.

Additionally, online therapy and counseling aren’t the best options for every patient. If you’re suffering from a more severe mental illness, the scope of a virtual meeting may not be enough to treat and assess your problem quickly or directly. With this in mind, if you’re seeking online therapy, speak with your medical provider to make sure this is the right option for you.

As you set out on your counseling journey, you’ll want to think about your goals and if they fit into the online counseling model. Virtual counseling is a great advancement in the psychological field that has brought therapy to people who may not have had access previously.

 

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Resources

1. https://www.center4research.org/does-online-therapy-work/#:~:text=Research%20has%20found%20that%20online,anxiety%2C%20depression%2C%20and%20trauma.

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5123797/