In the age of social media and smartphones, so much of our lives revolves around technology. Marriage and family therapy has never been a field to lag behind; online webcam sessions are increasingly common. Many people enjoy meeting with their counselor from the comfort of their own home or office.
This Thursday sees the launch of The Online Center for Couples and Families, of which I am the clinical director. Beginning Friday, my team and I will be offering therapy via webcam at netfamilytherapy.com. Here are five reasons why you should consider doing individual or family counseling online.
1. It’s convenient and easy- Instead of driving all the way to the therapists’ office and back, you can stay put at your home or office. It’ll save you gas money and travel time! You’re not limited to therapists who live in your city; you have counselors in your entire state to choose from (and sometimes more). What’s more, online therapy platforms are very user-friendly and take you step-by-step through the process.
2. It’s comfortable – Some people worry that a therapy session via webcam would lack the immediacy and intimacy of a face-to-face meeting, but my online clients find the opposite to be true. They say that sitting in their own home, on their own couch, puts them at ease. When they invite me into their space (in a manner of speaking), I find that we bond all the quicker.
3. It’s secure – The platform that my team and I use (eTherapi) is HIPAA-approved and secured by firewalls. While there is inherent risk to anything you do online, if you’re comfortable sending emails, using Skype, and banking/shopping online, you just may feel comfortable doing therapy that way.
4. You can set your own appointments – Most therapists (myself included) allow you to set your own appointments online in advance, choosing a time that works for you from a selection of available slots (or requesting a different time altogether).
5. No babysitters, no waiting rooms – While I have toys in my office for your children to play with while we talk, you may want privacy to speak freely, away from little ears. If finding a sitter is inconvenient, you can put the kids down for a nap (or to bed), close the door, and meet with me after they’re asleep. Also, if you’re one of those people who doesn’t like waiting rooms, you can avoid them altogether!
If your relationships could use a tune-up, I hope you’ll join us for our online open house via Google Hangouts, Thursday night (11/19/15) from 8-9 p.m. Beginning Friday, we’ll be taking new clients at netfamilytherapy.com. For more information follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
