Spring Tree Counseling offers remote, teletherapy appointments for those who are in the state of Illinois and interested in working with a counselor without an in-person, office visit. These services initially emerged as a part of necessary adjustments due to COVID-19 and the state of an ongoing pandemic. Experiencing the usefulness and effectiveness of this platform for counseling services, teletherapy is now offered on a regular basis for individuals, couples, families, and in some cases children. These services are different from in-person counseling sessions and they may not be the right fit for everyone. However, for some, working with a counselor remotely over a secure, online platform or over the phone, provides convenient and easily accessible therapy that may be able to meet, and sometimes better facilitate the counseling process.
If you have questions about teletherapy, think this might be a helpful way of working with a counselor, or are interested in setting up a preliminary appointment, please Contact us directly to get started. We would love to hear from you, answer any questions you have, and support you in connecting with one of our counselors who offers these services. Please see below for more specific information regarding teletherapy services.
Getting Started with Teletherapy
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 beginning counseling.
Teletherapy Options
“Teletherapy” refers to any option of doing therapy/counseling remotely. This means connecting with your therapist by way of an online video or over the telephone. Some counselors might have preferences for the way they offer teletherapy services, so if you have a request please be sure to communicate it upfront. If you plan to meet over the phone it is a good idea to start with online video sessions first to help you build the relationship with your counselor. If you are using insurance it is a good idea to check that your policy covers telephone as well as video sessions.
Our therapists at Spring Tree use a variety of online platforms, but they are all fairly easy to use and are secure HIPAA compliant platforms. 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, using either a secure, online meeting link or over the phone.
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.
Special Considerations for Teletherapy
Since teletherapy is a different experience than being in the counseling room, participants are asked to read and complete our Telehealth Consent Form. Also, please note that due to our counselors’ licensures and practicing limitations, you must be within the state of Illinois at the time of your teletherapy session
It is generally a good idea to consider the time and space for your teletherapy sessions. While being at home can be a great convenience, sometimes issues can arise related to privacy or level of comfort for sharing personal information. For instance, if you are in an individual session and talking about marital issues, you might need some space away from your spouse. Or you may 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 a couples counseling session via teletherapy, you and your spouse might want to be in the same large enough space for you to sit, side-by-side at the computer, away from other family members in order to better focus on your relationship.
Clients who do teletherapy are encouraged to find as private 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.
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 without a counselor in the room with them. It is important to talk with your counselor about the pros and cons of using teletherapy before getting started. Additionally, at any point in the counseling work, your therapist may communicate it is necessary to change your meeting format in order to provide the best possible benefits of counseling. If you or your therapist decide teletherapy is not the right fit for you, it is easy to make a change. Teletherapy services are billed at the same rate as other counseling sessions and require the same intake process, making it easy to switch to in-person sessions.
Also, if you are uncertain now about doing teletherapy long-term, it may be important to ask your counselor if they offer both teletherapy and in-office services prior to getting started. Some counselors may only offer one type of service which would affect certain scheduling needs or requests. The transition from teletherapy services to in-office services is simpler if you know your options in advance.
Teletherapy Costs
Teletherapy is the same cost as our other rates for in-office counseling visits. Please see our Rates and Insurance page for more information.
Get started with teletherapy today by visiting our Contact page or emailing us at info@springtreecounseling.com. Please note your specific interest in teletherapy counseling. We will help you get connected with one of our counselors who is currently offering these services. We can also answer any further questions you might have about teletherapy.