Meeting with your therapist virtually
We offer online video sessions if you’re looking for the flexibility and accessibility of teletherapy. Please note that scheduling online sessions is only an option for patients located in New York.
We began offering the option of scheduling online sessions in 2020 in response to COVID-19 and have chosen to keep it as an option for our patients ever since. Telepsychology (psychological services delivered via video, phone, or both) has actually been around since 1960. Its original intent was to increase access to therapy for people in remote areas with limited options. While NYC isn’t exactly an area with limited therapy options - we’re thankful for the increased flexibility and convenience it gives, which can be the difference between you being in therapy versus struggling on your own.
Common questions about online therapy sessions
Is teletherapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Research shows that teletherapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions. In fact, teletherapy has created more opportunities for people who couldn’t realistically commute to a therapist’s office every week or find a therapist nearby that specializes in what they need. Parents with ongoing childcare challenges, professionals with non-traditional schedules, people living with chronic pain or illness, or people looking for a therapist with a shared identity (BIPOC, LGBTQ+) can now broaden their search and are more likely to be successful connecting with a therapist that works for them. Having many of these logistical or personal factors met can remove a lot of stress and positively affect how you show up to your sessions.
How do I know if teletherapy is right for me?
If some of your biggest obstacles to being in weekly therapy have been:
finding one free hour in your day
childcare
caregiving responsibilities
limited mobility because of chronic pain, recent injury, or health issues
being immuno-compromised
the therapist you’d prefer to work with is not geographically close to you
Teletherapy can take these stressors or barriers off your plate and lets you schedule your session from home or work. If you’ve noticed that you can be at ease and yourself on video calls just as you would in person, this is also a clue that online sessions could work for you. Overall, it’s hard to know how teletherapy feels until you try it. If you’re unsure, we encourage you to speak to your therapist and maybe consider a trial period.
Is teletherapy actually secure or private?
Yes! Our teletherapy sessions are always conducted on HIPAA-compliant online platforms. Software that is “HIPAA-compliant” has built-in privacy and security safeguards to protect your personal information. Your therapist will inform you what secure platform they use for video sessions and provide instructions before your first session.
To make the most of your teletherapy sessions, we encourage you to have:
a private, uninterrupted space to talk
high-speed internet (it often helps to close tabs prior to your session that are actively streaming content)
good lighting and sound to promote clear video and sound
an agreed-upon back up plan in case technology fails (e.g., a preferred phone number)
Do online sessions have to be on video?
Yes, at this time if you’re opting to meet with your therapist via teletherapy, our policy is to offer video sessions. We’ve found that being able to see each other helps with better listening, communication, and attunement overall - which helps us work with you to the best of our ability.
Can you meet with anyone, anywhere via teletherapy?
No, teletherapy does have some limitations.
Mental health professionals at this time are licensed by state. Our psychologists are only licensed in New York state at this time and we cannot legally provide teletherapy across state lines. Again, please note that teletherapy is only an option for patients who are physically located in New York during the time of your session.
Is there anything else I should know before scheduling my sessions online?
If you’re planning to use out of network benefits for your therapy sessions, we encourage you to find out if your insurance plan covers teletherapy. Many plans do, but you should confirm before scheduling with your therapist. You should also ask if any of benefits you have for in-person sessions (e.g., number of sessions, reimbursement for late cancellation fees) differ from teletherapy sessions.
Have more questions? Please contact us.