Online Therapy
Online therapy, AKA video or teletherapy, is conducted through either telephone or video sessions rather than face to face in a physical location.
Our video teletherapy sessions are encrypted, secure and confidential through a HIPAA-compliant* video platform.
A desktop or laptop computer that has audio and video will allow you to log on to a session when I send you a link and login information via email.
What device do I need?
When is online therapy not recommended?
Online therapy is not recommended if:
The current situations finds you in crisis and requiring immediate intervention
You are in therapy for severe mental health issues that would benefit more from seeing me in person. You might need support for emotion regulation or a link to local resources to assist with treatment.
You are not able to control the environment. The therapy session needs to be free of distractions — no cell phones, loud noises, children, etc.
How do I schedule a session?
First we schedule a 15-minute consultation by phone. Similar to in-person psychotherapy, I will ask you about your goals — what you’d like to get out of therapy, etc. I will share information about how I work. I’ll also ask about your schedule and your availability. If it feels like we could be a good fit, we’ll schedule a first session. See Get Started for details.
Can you see clients who live anywhere?
No. I am licensed in California.
I can only see clients who live in California.
What if I am often traveling to different time zones?
If you are traveling, even in different time zones, and your residence is in California, I will make arrangements to fit you into my schedule. There are some limits to my availability if you travel often to different time zones because my practice is based on specific appointment times.
How is my confidentiality protected?
When we use online therapy, I utilize an encrypted, HIPAA*-compliant video platform that ensures our sessions are confidential.
Will I need to sign forms? If so, how will I get them?
Yes, you will need to sign a Consent for Treatment Form and Office Policies form.
You will have access to a secure Client Portal where you can review and sign intake forms that we need to complete before beginning therapy.
How do I pay for psychotherapy if our sessions are remote?
You will pay me through a secure, HIPAA* compliant therapist app. During our first session, I enter your cell phone number and send you a request for your credit card or HSA. It then encrypts your information which enables me to charge for the session.
You will only need to do this once. When you terminate therapy, your credit card info is archived.
What happens when therapy ends?
Just like in-person therapy, we will review goal completion and talk about ending this particular course of therapy. We will devote a session, possibly two, to terminate the therapy and review the work we’ve done. We want to honor and acknowledge the changes you’ve made as well as acknowledge any issues you might want to address in the future.
*HIPAA is the acronym for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act that was passed by Congress in 1996. HIPAA requires the protection and confidential handling of protected health information. More about HIPAA