Do you provide online counseling?
Yes. All of our counselors provide online counseling. For more information about each therapist, please visit Our Team page. You will find their bios, rates, schedules, and the location(s) where you can meet in person, if available. Please note that some of our therapists are available online only. If you need help selecting a therapist who will be a good fit for you, please contact us. Often a 10-minute consultation with a therapist is helpful, and we’ll be happy to set that up for you.
How does online counseling work?
Online counseling works the same as if you were face-to-face with your therapist, except that you are not in the same room. This gives great flexibility to you and your therapist! We have therapists who are licensed in Georgia, Florida, Texas, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, so if you live in one of those states, we can help! In most cases, it is simple to connect for a therapy session using a phone, tablet, or computer.
Before the session, your therapist will contact you to make sure you understand what will happen at the time of the appointment. Most of our therapists use a secure Zoom connection for the session. If you aren’t sure how to use Zoom or whatever platform you agree upon, your therapist or our office administrator will be glad to walk through the steps and schedule a trial run ahead of time. You choose a place to meet where you’ll be most comfortable and able to limit the number of distractions. It works best if you plan to be in place early, make sure you have everything set up, and be ready to connect so you can make the most of the time with your therapist.
Is online counseling effective?
What are some benefits of online counseling?
- Access to a wide range of mental health professionals who may be unavailable nearby
- Convenience – available if you live in a remote location or are on vacation
- Comfort – meet from your own home or anywhere else you choose
- Ability to meet as a family group with members in different locations
- Limited number of distractions
- Privacy – no one else will see you
- Money savings – no gas or babysitting fees
- Time savings – no travel
- No risk of getting stuck in traffic and missing all or part of your session
- Childcare may be easier in your home
- Safety – may offer relief for those suffering from social phobias, anxiety, or health issues
Are there any disadvantages?
- Personal connections may be more difficult to establish
- Potential for technical difficulties with computer or internet
- Difficult to find privacy with family nearby
- May be unfamiliar or uncomfortable with technology
What does an online counseling session look like?
While multiple formats can be utilized for a counseling session, most of our therapists use Zoom for sessions. Your therapist will contact you before the session to let you know which format they are using and how you can join the session virtually. When the time comes for your session, you will join using the directions from your therapist. You may even want to get on a couple of minutes before it begins to ensure your video and sound are working. Your therapist will join the session as soon as he or she is ready, and you can begin. The remainder of the session will flow just like an in-person counseling session would. When the session is complete, you and your counselor will simply “hang up.”
How can I get the most out of the time spent in online counseling?
- Set up your session in a private space with limited distractions. Your car may be an option if there is a lot of activity in your house.
- Reduce other activity on your internet to ensure the video quality is at its best.
- Online counseling may work better on a laptop or desktop computer.
- It is recommended, but not required, to use earbuds and a microphone for less outside noise and privacy.
- You always have the option for a phone session if you feel that you need to move to a more remote location.
- Be on time. Our attendance policies are the same for online counseling or in-person sessions. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please let your therapist know 24 hours in advance to avoid cancellation charges.
How do I schedule an appointment?
It’s very simple! Contact our office by phone or email or by filling out an online form. If you’ve had a chance to look at our website and have reviewed the bios for our team, you may request an appointment with any counselor. Our office administrator will ask a few questions to ensure that you will meet with someone who will be a good fit for you. The only information required is your name, phone number, and email address. If you would like recommendations for a therapist, just ask!
Our therapists have different specialty areas and are available on different days of the week. Appointments may be scheduled between 7:00 am and 9:00 pm Monday through Friday. Times will vary depending on the day, and we can work with almost anyone’s schedule. Once we identify the therapist that you wish to meet, we’ll check their calendar and schedule your appointment. We may decide that a 10-minute consultation with a therapist will be helpful before scheduling. You may ask any questions or give us a call if something comes up later. Once scheduled, we’ll send an email with additional information and a link to our client portal so that you can fill out the paperwork online before your appointment.
Can I switch to in-person later?
Some therapists are available online only, so please ask before scheduling an appointment if you are uncertain if your chosen therapist provides an in-person option. You are welcome to discuss the possibility of switching later with your therapist. Each determines when or if they are available to meet in person. Their decision is subject to change and will always follow the established guidelines of the practice.
If you have any questions, please email or call 678-534-3824, ext 153. We are here to help!