Online Therapy
The Solution When You Can’t Attend In-Person Counseling Appointments
Can’t get to a therapist’s office for counseling? Online therapy is the answer!
There are many reasons you may be unable to go to a counseling appointment in a therapist’s office. Maybe you have a transportation issue. Perhaps, you need to stay home with a sick child. Maybe you have a medical condition or have recently had surgery and you shouldn’t leave your home for a period of time.
Currently, the public health concern with the coronavirus COVID-19 is requiring many of you to limit contact with others outside your home and in community. Public health crises like this are a valid reason for staying at home and not getting out and avoiding close physical contact with other people. You want to stay safe and healthy. You want your loved ones to stay safe and healthy.
But, challenges in life don’t stop just because we must stay closer to home.
Online therapy is a perfect way to address relationship issues, anxiety, depression, sudden transitions, financial conflicts and hardships, and get support for many other concerns that lead you to contact a therapist for counseling. Sometimes it might be the ONLY way.
Meet with Your Counselor from the Comfort of Your Own Home or Office
If you find that you can’t see a counselor in-person, online therapy is a researched and validated method of seeing a qualified, licensed counselor. It’s very much like being with your therapist in-person. Online therapy video sessions provide a safe and confidential way to see your therapist face-to-face and in real time. From the comfort of your home or other private location, you and perhaps your partner or other family members, can meet with your counselor and discuss the issues you want to address.
Couples Counseling, Individual Counseling, and Family Counseling with Online Therapy
Many therapy modalities are highly effective with online therapy, just as they are when you are sitting across from your therapist in their office. The only difference with online therapy is that you are looking at each other on a computer or device screen.
Couples counseling methods such as the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), PACT, family systems, and attachment-based approaches, work well with online therapy.
Individual counseling methods such as EMDR therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Experiencing Therapy, and more can be conducted with online therapy, as well.
How Does Online Therapy Work?
Your trained and skilled RCC Austin therapist will lead you through the process of online therapy just as if you were in their office. It’s that simple!
You will receive a link to join a video session, you will connect through a secure website, and your RCC Austin counselor will direct you through the process from there. It’s a session with your counselor, just as you have in person.
Other Questions You May Have About Online Therapy
I would rather wait until the COVID-19 crisis is over so I can schedule in-person sessions with my therapist.
We understand that this is an unusual time that we have all found ourselves in during this global pandemic. It’s hard to know how far in advance you can plan since no one is sure how long social distancing and self-quarantine recommendations will remain in effect.
We encourage you to not put your counseling off until the world gets back to “normal.” Now, more than ever, we advise you to make your mental health and well-being a priority. After all, you don’t know how long this will last!
With the current climate of the global pandemic comes a whole slew of issues that you may have not faced previously: financial strain, job loss, being in close quarters with a spouse and children or your roommate for prolonged period of time, inability to see family and loved ones, anxiety over “flattening the curve,” and the list goes on and on. You may be facing only some or perhaps all of these uncertainties, and likely other concerns that are particularly yours. It can be helpful to talk through these fears with a skilled and compassionate therapist who will listen to you and hold space for you to talk and express your feelings and emotions.
I’m uncomfortable using technology. I’m not sure online therapy is right for me.
Technology can be something that feels uncomfortable if you don’t use it often. We understand that at RCC Austin. However, you don’t have to be a technology wizard to do online therapy. RCC Austin counselors understand that you might be a bit nervous about online therapy. You can be assured that your RCC Austin counselor will lead you each step of the way.
After you schedule your appointment, your counselor will send you a link to a secure, web-based video connection. At your appointment time, all you have to do is click on the link you receive from your counselor via email. It’s easy to use and you can meet with your therapist while sitting on your sofa, sitting at your dining table or desk, or even propped up against pillows on your comfortable bed.
Most people find that it’s not difficult and they actually like online therapy! We encourage you to give it a try before deciding it’s not for you. You can even ask your counselor for a “test drive” if that makes you feel more comfortable with the process.
I don’t have a private space to do online therapy.
Having a private space to talk freely is sometimes a concern for clients. A little out-of-the-box thinking can help with find the privacy needed for online therapy. Our counselors have worked with clients who are sitting in their cars, sitting in a private location on their back patio, and with clients who go into a bedroom and lock the door so they can’t be interrupted. Even with a busy schedule at your office, you can close the door and do online therapy. Ask your RCC Austin counselor for some other suggestions to help you find the privacy needed for your online therapy.
If finding a good time for online therapy is a concern, RCC Austin counselors offer appointment hours seven days a week with times available during daytime, evening, and weekend hours. Some of our counselors offer early morning appointments, as well. You can have your appointment before your household wakes up or before you have to work. This allows more opportunity for you to find a private space and time for your appointment.
Do I need a computer for online therapy, or can I use my smartphone or tablet?
For online therapy at RCC Austin, you can use a desktop or laptop computer, your smartphone, or your tablet. Just be sure the device you are using has a front-facing camera and a microphone. Headphones with a speaker attachment can also be used to improve audio quality, but they are not required.
I’m concerned about finances during this time. I don’t think I can afford therapy right now, even online therapy.
Financial strain is more real than ever during the current COVID-19 emergency. RCC Austin keeps prices as affordable as possible by offering a limited number of sliding scale rates for sessions with our counselors. Ask our scheduling coordinator about availability of sliding scale fees.
Call us and ask about options before deciding that you can’t afford online therapy at this time.
All RCC Austin Counselors Offer Online Therapy
RCC Austin has a staff of qualified, licensed therapists who are well-versed in providing online therapy for clients. With extended appointment times and affordable counseling fees, you can find a good match for your online therapy needs.
Contact Us! We’re Here to Help
Call us today at 512-270-4883, or visit our Scheduling page and complete the online form to be contacted for scheduling.
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Blog Posts
By Kassie Soni, MA
Whether you’ve been together for a year or for decades, at some point you may find yourself wondering if you need to seek couples counseling. Even though the term may sometimes carry a negative connotation, it doesn’t have to mean that your relationship is doomed to fail. In fact, many couples report that counseling has made their relationships much stronger.