“Teletherapy” just means therapy by phone (voice-only), or using two-way video on the computer.
You can be anywhere in California for us to work together by teletherapy.
I am a Board Certified TeleMental Health Provider, which is a specialized certification that indicates I have completed formal training and passed a comprehensive examination on the specific modality of teletherapy.
I offer 50-minute sessions over Zoom, or by telephone if you prefer. (Read more about policies including fees.)
All you need is a computer and stable internet, or a smartphone/tablet, and a quiet, private place where you feel safe to speak freely.
The advantages of Zoom therapy include:
- Convenience. No more fighting traffic to get to the appointment!
- Flexibility. You can do your session where you are, even if you have to travel.
- Comfort. You choose where you want to be, and have control over your surroundings.
If you haven’t done therapy this way before, we’ll talk through how it works on the phone first, so you understand and can give your informed consent to everything before we start. Therapy done this way isn’t for everyone. We can determine if it makes sense for you, and if not, I can suggest other resources for you to find the in-person support that you need.
Some considerations:
- Technology. It is improving but it is not fail-safe. Sometimes the audio or video connection may drop. The internet might go out for you, or for me. This may cause frustration, anxiety, or other forms of distress. We will create a plan together for how we will re-connect in the event of technical disruptions.
- Safety. I will confirm your physical location before we begin any session together. I will need to know where you are and how emergency personnel can find you in case there is a crisis. Safety is the most important part of my work with you.
- Privacy. If you share a home with others, then it is sometimes challenging to have uninterrupted time to yourself. We can talk about how to set boundaries, request privacy, or other ways to navigate your situation, if this might be an obstacle for you.
What is it really like?
You may be wondering if you can have the same experience with me over the computer as you might if you saw a therapist in person. Some people definitely prefer in-person therapy. However, I have found that the depth of connection and the ability to “go there” for my clients on video meets and in some cases exceeds what they are able to do in person. This is unique to the individual, however I have seen some clients feel a greater sense of control and also safety when we meet by video, which allows them to go deeper into their work. This is especially true for clients who may be afraid of experiencing their emotions. They may feel that it is better to do that in their own home, without having to deal with the jarring effect of walking out of the therapy office and back to their car while still processing so much.
My qualifications
I have been trained since 2019 on all technical, ethical, legal, and clinical considerations of teletherapy, which is reflected in my status as a Board Certified TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH). Becoming Board Certified was important to me, because my entire practice is done through online therapy and I want to offer my clients assurances of my skills and qualifications for this modality.
Beyond the specific considerations of client safety and care that are part of providing therapy online, I also take care that my practices meet the state and federal standards for protecting your confidentiality, including use of HIPAA-compliant technology with appropriate Business Associate Agreements on file. Please review my HIPAA Notice to Clients for details. You can read more about my training and experience, and I am happy to answer questions at any time.
Photo of woman on laptop courtesy of @WOCInTech from Nappy.co