Online Therapy

The pandemic changed how we do things. It’s that simple. The gold standard in mental health had always been in person, face to face meetings between client and therapist. In our post-pandemic world, that is simply no longer true. Out of necessity, we were all forced to experiment with doing things differently during the pandemic. Therapists were forced to sit in the very same seat as clients: we all needed to change - and on a dime. And, like many experiences with change, once we tried the hard thing, it wasn’t half as bad as we might have expected.

The good news is that, as resumed more normal patterns of daily living, we were able to maintain choices that can compliment our needs at different ages and stages in different ways. This is true in many areas of life including mental health services. Some therapists have resumed working solely in person. Others have stuck with teletherapy. We are blessed to have options.

I have concluded that, for the couples and individuals that I typically serve, teletherapy provides a level of flexibility that is highly desirable. For new moms and couples with children at home, being able to join a session without having to arrange childcare or attempt to balance a little one in the session without all the comforts of home improves access to services. Students and young professionals value not having to undertake the time and expense of commuting to my office. For couples, having to find a way to arrive together at a specified time at my office can add a level of stress that seems counterproductive to the connecting kind of work we are trying to do together. Would it be nice to sit together - sure. But we can get the job done on the screen too. Given these considerations, I have chosen, for the time being, to continue to work mainly via telehealth.

Online Therapy Can You Get Back On Track

Maintaining a steady pathway towards personal goals and aspirations continues to challenge us, even as we move further away from the full-on disruption of the pandemic years. In the midst of all the headlines and guidelines concerning how we are to go about what we are doing, it’s been hard to stay focused upon what we are doing. The unexpected changes that we experienced collectively as a society set many of us a slightly different path in one or more aspects of our lives. It’s no secret that the uncertainties and change that we have experienced has contributed to a rise in mental health issues and concerns. If you’re struggling in this regard, you are not alone.

As your online therapist, I can be:

· someone to whom you can freely unburden yourself

· someone who can sit with you to process, manage and accept feelings like anger, fear, sadness and loneliness

· someone who can help you handle any simmering conflicts, whether new or temporarily abandoned when the world turned upside down

· someone who can help you find a pathway forward.

How Online Therapy Works

Many of my online clients locate me through this website, Zencare or Psychology Today. After making an initial appointment, my online clients enjoy access to my client portal where we will connect for our video sessions. Insurance claims, billing and payment are fully integrated in this client portal.

Maintaining the privacy of personal information is important to me when working with clients online. The video connection on my client portal is secure and compliant with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) regulations.

In preparation for our sessions, we should both try to locate ourselves in a private space that offers a reliable connection to the internet. Current laws also require that you be located in a jurisdiction where I am licensed as a mental health professional: Massachusetts, Maryland or the District of Columbia. 

Common Reasons for Beginning Online Therapy

I specialize in helping clients navigate moments of transition in their lives. While women have been giving birth for centuries, we have only recently acknowledged how this life transition presents challenges for even the most resilient personalities. Pregnancy losses and fertility challenges can add layers of difficulty and contribute to a difficult postpartum adjustment. Changes in the primary relationship which may have been hard-won and undertaken later in life can be anxiety-producing. And then there is the pressure to successfully balance work and family as new mom, often before hormonal and emotional adjustment to life as a family is complete.

Couples may seek my counsel when they’re having trouble communicating and experiencing repetitive arguments. Committed partners may be having difficulty communicating about difficult topics like parenting and finances. Challenges with intimacy are also frequently part of the presenting concerns. For those debating whether to end their relationship, I can provide discernment counseling as well as helpful education about separation and divorce.

Higher education students and young professionals undergo a series of transition in a period of just a few years. COVID-19 changed the college experience for many students while at the same time many young adults began their working lives remotely, without proper mentorship and training. Sometimes, on the other end of life, there are some difficult transitions related to the empty nest, separation/divorce or the death of a life partner.

I feel privileged to help my online clients through a variety of life challenges. Working together, I can help you move forward with confidence and strength. Many of my clients come to me with mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. I am very mindful of the degree to which you appear to be impacted in your daily life by these symptoms when we are working online. Please understand that your safety and well-being is most important to me. I do feel that my online office is not properly equipped to manage severe depression, active thoughts of harming yourself in any way, or thoughts and ideas which do not connect to existing reality. If we begin working together and symptoms like these become apparent, I will make additional referrals for you in order to assure that you receive the best possible care and support.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do you accept insurance?

I accept Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Harvard Pilgrim, Optum, Mass General Brigham and United as an in-network provider. It may be possible to submit for out-of-network benefits if your plan is through another insurer. My client portal provides you with the documentation that you will need.

How Will I Pay for My Sessions?

I submit on your behalf to the insurance company. You will be invoiced through the client portal for any portion of my fee that is not paid by the insurer. You will then be able to enable payment via a major credit card on my client portal.

How Often Will I have Online Therapy?

I work with clients on a weekly, every other week and monthly basis. The most common commitment is every other week. I want you to start feeling better as soon as possible. We can always revisit the question of the frequency of our sessions later, if this feels right.

Will We Ever Meet In Person?

Quite possibly we will complete our work together entirely online. If it is truly necessary for us to meet in person, I can arrange a single meeting on a Sunday.

Ready To Get Started?

If Online Therapy sounds like something that you would like to try, please contact me using the button below and we can get the process started. I am looking forward to talking with you.

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