Online Therapy Questions & Answers
Is it safe?
If by safe, you mean confidential and secure, yes! Our system is HIPAA complaint, meaning it meets the strict federal standards for protecting Private Health Information (PHI). There are certain other risks and benefits to therapy, whether by internet or in-person. Your therapist can address these with you during your first session.
Is it hard to do?
Not at all! Our online therapy system is easy. You simply click on a link that we provide and ta-da! you are connected.
Do I have to show my face?
No! Many people are camera shy and prefer not to be seen during online therapy. We understand that adding extra anxiety to an already anxious situation does not help. You can put tape on the camera lens or turn your computer or phone at an angle so that your therapist can not see you directly.
Another solution is to put a post-it note over the part of your screen where your face is. This way, you can still see your therapist and your therapist can see you (and all of your facial expressions!). But you won’t get distracted by seeing yourself.
P.S.- Therapists sometimes get a bit weirded out by seeing themselves on camera, too.
What if I can’t find a private space in my home?
Many people have this issue, especially now. We have found that many clients are creating a private space for their therapy hour by driving to another location and sitting in their car or by sitting in their car in the driveway!
Using a headset with both earphones and a microphone will greatly decrease the ability of others to listen in.
An alternative to seeking individual (private) therapy might be to invite your family member(s) into the session. (As a consumer, you always have the right to invite anyone to your own therapy session.)
This whole “social distancing and disease thing” has me triggered. Will my therapist deal with all of this?
Yes! Our therapists are trained in managing all the moving parts of life, stress, depression, anxiety, trauma and re-traumatization. This is what we do. We are here to help.
Isn’t online therapy less personal than face to face therapy?
It can be. We can’t deny the fact that there is a screen between us. However, we can also look at the positives of screen time:
- it can help lesson the anxiety associated with being face-to-face and emotionally vulnerable
-you and your therapist get to connect with each other in a different setting (how cool is that?)
- you are stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new - with your therapist right there to help you through it
- you are creating social connection by joining with your therapist as we all (the great collective all) learn to adjust to the unexpected
Will insurance cover online therapy?
In California, yes. Online therapy has been a legally covered service for some time now. Find out more about the types of insurance we accept here.
During the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, other states have announced that online services will be covered for at least the duration of the "social distancing" requests.
I'm interested. Do you have more information?
We sure do. It's right here. (There's even a video.)
I’m still not sure about online therapy. Do you offer telephone therapy?
Yes! During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions surrounding telephone therapy have been lifted and we are currently offering telephone sessions.
If you would like more information or would like to schedule a session, please call.
