As a result of COVID-19, or coronavirus, and many states’ Stay at Home orders, fewer folks are seeking out therapy services. Therapy is an essential service - just like a doctor's appointment where you can go see your doctor for an appointment - you are able to go to your therapist’s office for an appointment. However, because of the risks associated with this novel virus, many therapists are electing to have all of their appointments via teletherapy until the risk is lessened. NC+W is in this camp. Understandably clients do not want to increase their risk either.
Teletherapy, an offshoot of telehealth, is where therapy or counseling sessions are held over video chat or a phone call. Your mental health provider can provide a HIPPA-compliant method video platform and you are able to have your therapy session from the comfort of your home or other space where you have internet and a private space available. Even before the current environment, teletherapy was used if a client couldn’t make it to the office for some reason so it can be very convenient.
Teletherapy also works for all ages! Many parents worry that their younger child or teen would not be interested or could not hold their attention over a video session instead of being in the office. On the contrary, children and teens tend to open up more when they can do things like share their rooms with their counselor. Other activities like scavenger hunts are possible. As a result this allows the child and their therapist to grow closer and establish a more firm client-therapist relationship.
Nervous or anxious for the first online session? That’s okay! It’s totally normal to be nervous about trying something new. Feel free to try it out for one appointment and see how it goes. If the online platform doesn’t feel like a fit, you can always wait until in-person sessions are on option again. But don’t be surprised if you end up liking it :)
NC+W is ready and able to provide you (child, tween, teen, adult, and every age in between) teletherapy sessions during this time. New clients are welcome as the intake paperwork is available completely online as well! Maybe things are challenging right now because of the changes occurring now or you have been meaning to start counseling for a while but haven’t felt like you had the opportunity until now. This is a time when we want to seek connection as much as we can, even if it’s not physically face to face. If you have any questions, feel free to call or email as always.