Are You Struggling to Find the Right Therapist?

Maybe you are trying to figure out how to cope since COVID-19 started.

Perhaps you have thought about seeking counseling before, but now it feels hard to prioritize yourself.

Are you are waiting until things settle down to seek out something new?

Our lives look totally different now and we don’t know how long this will last. Maybe you are struggling with your role as a parent, or perhaps you are facing financial challenges. Or you may be experiencing fear and anxiety about your health. It is easy to fall into bad habits. Whether it’s sleeping in every day, eating unhealthy foods, or obsessing about the news; without structure we can feel lost. During these uncertain times, it is important to focus on learning or maintaining habits that will help you. You know you need to make time to work on yourself, but you’re not sure if now is the right time with so much uncertainty in the world.

The more time that goes by, the more we can let things slip. Online counseling can help. Working with an online therapist can help you find healing and growth when in-person therapy is not possible.

How Online Therapy Works

Teletherapy allows you to connect with a therapist through a video platform. It is easy to set up and it’s secure and confidential. It is similar to in-person counseling, but you don’t have to commute to a therapy office and you can stay in the comfort of your own home.

Our practice uses a platform called SimplePractice for online therapy appointments. This is a safe, secure and HIPPA compliant system that is easy to use. All you need to get started is an internet connection and a computer, tablet or phone and there is no need to download a program. SimplePractice emails you a link that you use to enter the appointment. This system also has secure messaging that allows you for confidential communication with your therapist.

Your online therapist will work with you to assess your needs and goals. Whether you are struggling with increased anxiety, insomnia, negative thoughts or difficulty in relationships, your therapist will develop a plan that will be most effective for you.

What Type of Therapy Can Be Done Online

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a type of therapy that can help you to reprocess a traumatic event, anxious feelings or negative thought patterns. This eye movement therapy helps us to target specific memories of difficult events and helps us to get to the underlying cause of your struggles. EMDR uses bi-lateral stimulation to engage both sides of the brain. EMDR can be done very effectively through online therapy, whether we are working together to treat anxiety, depression, or trauma. Your therapist will use a special online tool that provides visual and auditory bi-lateral stimulation. This process is very safe and your therapist will walk you through how it works.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i) 

CBT-i is a safe, effective and proven way to treat insomnia without sleeping pills. CBT-i can help with problems falling asleep and staying asleep and will allow you to develop healthier habits around sleep. CBT-i is one of the most studied and successful treatments for insomnia and is very effective online. A 2016 review of 15 online CBT-i trials found that online insomnia treatment improved sleep across the board for participants.

Your therapist will help you evaluate if online CBT-i will be a good fit for you. In your first session, your therapist will learn more about the history of your insomnia and then have you keep a sleep diary. Once your therapist better understands your particular needs, you can then start implementing CBT-i strategies.

You May Have Still Questions About Online Therapy

What Types of Issues Can Be Treated Online?

Most mental health issues can be addressed online. In our practice, we commonly work with anxiety, depression, trauma, insomnia and chronic pain. Individual and family counseling can both be done online. Our therapists are well-versed in practicing therapy online for an array of mental health disorders.

Is Online Therapy Effective?

Research consistently shows that online therapy can be very helpful for many issues. A 2015 review of studies found that clients receiving teletherapy reported “high levels of satisfaction.” Many clients actually prefer to have therapy in the comfort of their own home while wearing pajamas or sitting in their favorite chair. In fact, the security of being at home allows some clients to feel less anxious and share more openly. And without the stress of travelling to an office, many clients feel more at ease. Through video, your therapist can see your facial expressions and engage with you in the same way as they would in-person.

How Much Does Online Therapy Cost?

While our practice is out of network with insurance companies, many plans will reimburse you for a portion of the session. Our practice provides you with a statement that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Additionally, many therapies are short-term and don’t require a long commitment. Our goal is to help you reach a point where you no longer need therapy.

It is worth it to invest in your health and well-being, especially when the world feels unsure. And online therapy is a convenient way to begin treatment when in-person sessions are not an option. When it’s safe to meet again in-person, your therapist will let you know. You can decide if you prefer to keep meeting online or if you’d like to start meeting in-person.

If you still have questions about cost and payment options, we invite you to schedule a free consultation.

You Don’t Have to Wait to Get the Help You Need

Now is the time to put energy into feeling better. If long hours or a commute made therapy difficult before, those obstacles may not be a factor now. And if you’ve ever wanted to make changes in your life, but in the past you had trouble motivating to get to an appointment, online therapy is a great solution. You don’t have to struggle alone. We are here to help.

If you are ready to get started, we invite you to contact us or call 202-656-3376 so we can answer any questions you have.