The past year and a half has changed how many of us live, work, and go about our days. Though the intensity of the pandemic is beginning to shift, a new norm is emerging. Whether it’s options like still doing some or all of your work from home, having new, virtual tools for your kids’ learning, or ordering your groceries for delivery or pick-up versus walking the aisles of your local store, many of us have adopted new options for our daily routines, responsibilities, and services. Counseling is no different, and now teletherapy is a continued option for some individuals.
If you have questions about teletherapy, check out our Teletherapy Q&A below. Also feel free to Contact us directly! We would love to hear from you, answer any questions you have about teletherapy, and support you in connecting with one of our counselors who offers teletherapy services.
When I request teletherapy services at Spring Tree, what should I expect?
After you Contact us or complete an Appointment Request our Intake Coordinator will reach out to you within 24 hours or by the following business day. They will ask you some general questions about your reasons for seeking counseling, your preferred times for scheduling, and if you have any preferences about the type of counselor or services with which you would like to work. They will also answer any preliminary questions you might have about our Rates and Insurance. Requesting teletherapy services at Spring Tree is very similar to our other processes of starting as a new client. See also What to Expect for more information about getting started with counseling.
What are some of the differences I should consider before doing teletherapy?
First off, though it’s probably self-explanatory, you will receive counseling services by way of the phone or video instead of meeting with your counselor in-person at either of our office locations. After you and your therapist agree to an appointment time, you will receive confirmation for how to connect with them over the phone or you will be provided with a secure, online link for your meeting.
Since teletherapy is somewhat different than being in the counseling room, we do ask that clients read and complete our Telehealth Consent Form.
Secondly, it is generally a good idea to consider the time and space for where you would like to do your teletherapy sessions. While being at home can be a great convenience, sometimes issues related to privacy or just your comfort-level in sharing can come up. For instance, if you are in an individual session and talking about marital issues, you might need some space away from your spouse. Or perhaps you will need a setting and time where you are free from the responsibilities of childcare so that your attention is not divided. On the other hand, if you are doing joint, couples counseling work by way of teletherapy, you and your spouse might both want a room big enough to sit, side-by-side at the computer, away from other family members in order to better focus on your relationship.
We invite clients who do teletherapy to aim for as private of a space as possible with limited, outside distractions. The “virtual counseling room” should be a space where you feel comfortable disclosing private information and where you are able to focus on meaningful, personal work.
Finally, teletherapy is not the right fit for everyone. Some individuals, due to the sensitive nature of what they are wanting to address in counseling or the type of counseling interventions that are being used, may find it difficult to meet with a counselor who is not directly in the room with them. It is important to talk with your counselor about the pros and cons of using teletherapy before getting started.
What is the cost of teletherapy?
Teletherapy is the same cost as our other rates for in-office counseling visits. Please see our Rates and Insurance page for more information.
What are my options for how I do teletherapy?
“Teletherapy” refers to any option of doing therapy/counseling remotely. This means you could connect with your therapist by way of an online video or over the telephone. Some counselors might have preferences about meeting with you one way or the other, so if you have a preference please be sure to communicate it upfront. Also, generally before meeting over the phone it is a good idea to start with online video sessions first. This helps you build the relationship with your counselor and get to know each other better.
Our therapists at Spring Tree use a variety of online platforms, but they are all fairly easy to use. Some require a quick download, while others do not. Online, teletherapy services can be accessed with a good internet connection and an electronic device that has both audio and video capabilities. After you schedule your first appointment, your therapist will provide you with instructions for your teletherapy connection.
As a note, in most cases for couples counseling or family counseling, it is also possible for participants to be on separate devices and in different locations. If you, your partner, or any other family members are in need of increased flexibility and options for scheduling, this can be a helpful option. We recommend talking with your counselor directly about the best set-up for couples or family counseling teletherapy sessions.
What if I determine teletherapy is not the right fit for me?
No problem! Since teletherapy services are billed at the same rate as other counseling sessions and require the same intake process, it can be fairly simple to make a switch. Just talk to your counselor and discuss what’s working and what’s not and whether you want to make a change. That being said, if you are uncertain now about doing teletherapy long-term, it may be worth asking your counselor if they offer both teletherapy and in-office services prior to getting started. Some counselors may only offer one type of service and this would impact certain scheduling needs or requests. The transition from teletherapy services to in-office services is simpler if you know your options in advance.
If I want to get started with teletherapy, what do I do next?
It’s easy to take the next step and get started with teletherapy, simply Contact us online, email us at info@springtreecounseling.com, or call us at 847-492-1938! Let us know about your interest in teletherapy counseling. We would love to hear from you and help you to get connected with one of our counselors who is currently offering these types of services. We can also answer any further questions you might have about getting started with teletherapy.