What is Teletherapy?
Teletherapy is any remote therapy that uses technology to help the therapist and client communicate. Some examples of teletherapy include:
- doing therapy sessions over the phone
- having a group chat for group therapy
- using videoconferencing for individual, couples, or group therapy
- receiving therapy via email or instant messenger
- using apps that connect clients to therapists and offer therapy within the app.
Teletherapy via phone or video is similar to traditional therapy. It does not require physical contact or laboratory tests, so it is possible to replicate most of the therapy experience, virtually. Mental health teletherapy can be just as beneficial, healing, and inspiring as in- person therapy sessions. In fact, there are quite a few advantages you can have with teletherapy that you just do not get with in-person sessions.
13 Advantages of Teletherapy with Jane:
- You have a 100 percent guarantee that you will not have to be concerned about the COVID virus during your therapy sessions with me.
- The inconvenience of wearing a mask prior to, and after in- person sessions is eliminated.
- You will save time as travel is not an issue.
- You will save money (No need to gas up your car to make a trip to my office downtown).
- Evening and weekend sessions are options I offer with phone/video therapy.
- You can sit in your car, a park bench, a quiet hiking trail, etc with teletherapy.
- If you are unable to drive, or lack adequate transportation, no worries. You can call me.
- If you are in quarantine you still have access to me.
- Should you contract COVID, you can, and definitely should call on me for mental, emotional, and spiritual support and guidance.
- You can sit in your own comfy chair while having a session with me.
- You can kick off your shoes (and socks) during a session- YAY!
- You will not worry about running into someone you do not wish to see at my office
- You have an option of participating in one of my new currently in the making groups where you can discreetly connect with others who have sensitive issues, such as Bipolar Disorder, Agoraphobia, Addictions, or have experienced any forms of abuse, including brainwashing, and incest. No more taboo. Your story matters. You matter.
How does Teletherapy Work?
Teletherapy involves using a phone or a video chat forum. Initially you will spend one or two sessions with me, getting to know each other, and developing treatment goals. After that, I may dig deeper into your issue of concern, and help you to access resources, in addition to my providing various types of therapeutic modalities and interventions, specifically tailored to your personality, situation, and needs.
Who Can Provide Mental Health Teletherapy?
Although anyone can offer to support another person over the phone or online, only licensed professionals can describe their services as therapy, or psychotherapy. Some examples are Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Clinical social workers, Licensed Marriage and Family Counselors, Licensed Psychologists, Licensed Psychiatrists.
What is the Difference Between a Life Coach/Mental Health Coach and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist ?
Some people prefer to work with a Life Coach, which is a great option if you are wanting to work on current or future goals, and have no interest in going deeper or resolving past trauma that is affecting your life today.
A life coach is not trained to help you process problems that stem from previous emotional trauma, advise about mental illness, mental health diagnoses, nor can they treat you for anxiety, depression etc. Your insurance provider does not include Life Coaching as a medical/mental health service. A Life Coach, or Mental Health Coach, can obtain their certification within 6 months with 40- 160 hours of on the job experience without graduating from college. Life Coaches can and do typically charge the same rates as Licensed Mental Health Professionals for their services.
A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist can help you process problems that stem your past and are affecting you now. They can advise and treat mental illness, as outlined in the DSM-5. They collaborate with your primary care physician, psychiatrist, and other professionals on behalf of your medical/mental health treatment. These are just a few of the services they can provide for you. Your insurance provider will most likely cover the cost for psychotherapy.
A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California has a required six years worth of college study to obtain a Masters Degree. Once the Masters Degree is obtained, there is an additional 2 or more years of internship involving (3000 hours) of on the job experience working with people of all ages who deal with mild to severe mental health challenges of all types. The final step is to pass a 4- hour comprehensive licensing exam.
