Online Therapy

How does online therapy work?

It’s super easy! You simply reach out to us by text, phone, or email and we can conduct a consultation to help you get lined up with the best-fitting therapist. Some factors we consider when matching you to a therapist is based on clinical and relational fit and logistical fit (your preferred day, time, etc.).

As soon as we book your first session, in addition to all your intake paperwork, you’ll receive instructions about how to access our secure, HIPAA-compliant video counseling platform we use and what to do before your first video session in order to meet with your therapist.

What are the pros and cons of online therapy?

While the benefits and drawbacks of online counseling can vary between individuals, there are many points worth considering if you are looking to find a counselor or try digital therapy.

Reasons why people choose online therapy may include:

1. Accessibility – For those who may struggle with mobility issues and / or disabilities that make it challenging to get to their therapists’ office, online counseling can help overcome some of  these barriers. Those experiencing social phobias, anxiety disorders, or agoraphobia may also find online counseling to be more accessible. If you have a job that makes it incredibly difficult to physically come to an office, but you know you still would like to reap the benefits of therapy, online therapy is a wonderful option. Your sessions are tailored to you, during a time that works best for you. Your experience with us and with any therapist should be as stress free to schedule a possible. That’s why we provide flexible days and times so you can meet with your therapist in the morning, afternoon, or evening depending on what’s best for your schedule.
2. Convenience – Therapy can take place in the comfort of your own home, without the inconvenience of having to physically travel to our office. This can potentially save time and money. We can also work with clients who reside outside of the San Jose area. We can work with individuals throughout the state of California! Your location no longer has to limit who you work with. You can finally choose the therapist you want to work with who will best meet your clinical needs without having to worry about living in the same city. Online therapy may also be more convenient for parents who would normally need to pick up their children from school and bring them into the office. No longer do parents have to wait in the waiting room or in their car until their child is done with their session. You can have your child or teen attend a virtual session in your own home!
3. Openness – Online therapy can make some people feel more comfortable and able to open up more about sensitive issues because of the buffer created through video screens. Online therapy can provide support for those who may feel nervous and or anxious during in-person sessions. It may even be easier to develop rapport with a therapist through online therapy given that you don’t need to become accustomed to a new physical location.
4. Privacy – Online therapy can fit seamlessly into your schedule without the need to block out more time for travel and parking. Also the fear of being judged if someone sees you traveling to the therapist’s office or sitting in a waiting room. Online therapy may provide a feeling of anonymity that they may feel by communicating through screens.

Reasons why people might be hesitant on online therapy may include:

1. A lack of non-verbal feedback – Online therapy can be limited on how much is physically shown. This may cause a slowness in building rapport.  Because your therapist can’t see your whole body, it may be easier for the therapist to see you fidgeting with something in your hands or tapping your foot when talking about something difficult. Online therapy can be limiting in areas of body language and facial expressions.
2. Confidentiality and security – While a therapist can create a safe and HIPPA compliant video to use for therapy, the space where a client sits is not controlled by the therapist. This means the clients’ wifi, and or physical space can have concerns. These are factors you would need to consider before committing to online therapy.
3. Technology trouble – Technology can always have the chance of trouble on both the counselor and clients sides. These problems could occur with internet connection trouble, service outage, computer errors, server crashes, and network connectivity, which can all disrupt the flow of your session or create feelings of frustration. Our therapists work to mitigate disruptions by having optimal wifi. Our therapists also ensure that if the wifi goes out, we have your phone numbers so we can continue the session via phone if necessary.