Online Therapy
What is online therapy / telehealth / virtual therapy?
Online therapy, “telehealth” or “virtual therapy” are all different names to refer to seeing your therapist over a secure video session instead of in their physical office. While online therapy was not a very common practice a few years ago it is now a much more sought after way to connect with a therapist.
How is online therapy different from in person?
The main difference between online and in person therapy is honestly just the location. For the most part anything that is done in person therapy can also be done through telehealth. Even therapeutic tools like EMDR can be utilized through online therapy sessions.
VCA has therapists that offer online therapy including individual therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, and EMDR, see our counselors page to find the right fit for you!
Will my insurance cover it?
The most common answer to this question is YES! For the most part your insurance will offer the same coverage for telehealth/online therapy as they do for in person sessions. Insurance coverage varies greatly and prior to session VCA’s billing specialist can run a benefits check to give you more specifics about your individual plan’s coverage.
What are the advantages of online therapy?
Online therapy is a convenient and supportive option to access therapy when you don’t have a ton of time in your schedule. Individuals are able to schedule sessions on lunch breaks or in openings in their schedule that may not allow additional time to commute to the office.
Telehealth is also a great option for individuals, couples or families that live a long distance from their therapists office. VCA has therapists licensed in Washington, Oregon, Louisiana, and Minnesota, while some of these may be too far to stop into the office for your weekly session they can be just a click away with online therapy.
Online therapy has also been a helpful resource for individuals as they are recovering from physical, acute or chronic illness and accessing in person therapy may be difficult due to physical mobility or treatment side effects. With online therapy individuals are still able to access therapy during the toughest and at most isolating parts of their recovery
What are the disadvantages of online therapy?
Online therapy is not right for everyone. It is important to talk with your counselor about your therapeutic needs and decide together if online therapy would offer the support and tools you are looking for.
One thing to consider with online therapy is how to create a space for yourself that is private and peaceful for your sessions. When you go to in person therapy a part of your therapist's job is to create a therapeutic space that is free of distractions, comfortable, and private. With online therapy your therapist will continue to create that safe therapeutic environment on their end of the camera but will ask that you also find a space that is private and allows you to show up to therapy fully present and authentically.
Do you have to pick in person or telehealth?
Some therapists offer both in person and telehealth options while others are only available in office or over telehealth. See our counselors page to find more information and find the right fit for what you are looking for!