Speak with a Psychologist using Online Therapy and Telehealth

Online Therapy is a great option if any of these apply to you:

• You want to practice social distancing because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
• You live in Kentucky
• You travel frequently
• You need the flexibility to manage your schedule
• You experience anxiety leaving your home
• You experience physical disabilities that limit your ability to travel
• You live in a rural part of Kentucky where specialized counseling services are unavailable
• You want to reduce your travel time and avoid traffic coming to my office
• You want to skip the waiting room
• You are married and living apart
• Telehealth sessions offer the opportunity for you both to meet with me, regardless of your physical distance

What equipment will you need to participate in online counseling sessions?

1.  Desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone
2.  Webcam
3.  Headphones or speakers
4.  Internet connection (10mbps or more)
5.  We recommend using the Pre-call Tool to check your internet connection. Click here to test.

How will I connect for my virtual counseling appointment?

• To get started with virtual counseling, you’ll receive a link from your therapist to get connected

Frequently Asked Questions about Online Therapy and Virtual Therapy

Q: Is video therapy as effective as in-person counseling?

•  Research shows that video counseling is just as effective as in-person counseling, and perhaps even more so. The most important success factors are the same as in-person counseling, including the fit between you and your counselor, your counselor’s experience and specialization, and the relationship your counselor builds with you to help you achieve success. Here’s one psychological study showing the benefits of Telehealth: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130730091255.htm

Q: Is online therapy private?

• Yes, although keep in mind that this is the internet, and it would be foolish to make guarantees about anything. With that being said, we use HIPAA-compliant software, which means that significant technical safeguards are in place to protect your privacy and health information, in compliance with federal law.

Q: Can I vary in-person appointments with online counseling?

• Yes. We will decide together how to set up appointments that are convenient and accessible for you.

4 Tips for Online Therapy

1.  Set aside a space that’s private and free from distraction. While the convenience of being able to do this from home is great, it’s not without some potential pitfalls. Spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends, kids, dogs, phones…there are a lot more opportunities for distraction. Remember that this is YOUR time to work on YOUR life. It’s the 50 minutes per week that you get to just focus on this. Don’t let anything take that away from you. Designate a place in your home (or wherever you are) that gives you that privacy. Let your loved ones know that you need some uninterrupted time to yourself.
2. “Get there” 10 minutes early. That sounds strange because it’s likely that you’re already in the location where you’ll be receiving therapy. What it means is that you should give yourself an opportunity to mentally transition and think about what you would like to talk about in your session. Also, it gives you enough time to troubleshoot any technical problems you might have with your computer.
3. Have tissues handy. Tissues are always a must-have for us psychologists, for obvious reasons. You don’t want to be in the middle of pouring your heart out, just to have to get up and search for where you left your box of Kleenex.
4. Use Headphones. Not only will you hear better, but they also help you focus on the interaction between you and your therapist rather than the distractions in your home or office.

If you have further questions about how online therapy works, please contact us at 502-203-0838. We will be happy to answer any questions you have and to help you get set up for online counseling.  If you want to learn more about our approach, then click on Our Team page.