What to Expect and Risks of Distance TherapY 

Many people find distance therapy convenient and appreciate saving time and money by not having to travel to and from an office as well as not having to budget time in their busy schedules.  Many enjoy being able to communicate with their therapist from the comfort of their own home.  Some find that it is easier to open up and share private material when working with their therapist remotely.  Accessibility can be a real challenge when it comes to therapy.  Often times there are not enough therapists in a client’s area or clients are unable to find a therapist that is a good fit or that specializes in what they struggle with.  Distance therapy helps clients access more options when it comes to therapy.  Studies have come out that demonstrate that the effectiveness of distance/remote/online therapy is equal to that of in-person therapy in many cases.

That being said, I cannot deny that working with a therapist through phone, video, or email correspondence is different than traditional face-to-face therapy.  I have worked with clients in person since 2006 and have found it to be powerful work.  It is difficult to replicate the intimacy of the therapy room, yet it is always my goal to create a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship no matter where the therapy takes place. 

Distance therapy or coaching isn’t for everyone.  Before beginning a therapeutic relationship, I assess if distance therapy is a good fit for the client.  If a client is experiencing a mental health crisis, instability, suicidal thoughts/plans, or is just in need of a higher level of care, I will recommend that they work with a therapist in person.

Confidentiality:

Because the therapeutic communication in distance therapy happens over the phone, video, or email systems, confidentiality is important to address.  I use a therapy platform called “Clocktree”:  (https://www.clocktree.com)

This platform allows me to communicate with clients via private messaging and video conferencing.  All of the communication is Hippa Compliant and confidential.  I am also able to keep files, send and receive documents, and schedule through this confidential platform. 

I cannot guarantee the confidentiality of communication through cellular phones.  My email account is encrypted and protected but if client’s email is not encrypted the communication is not completely secure. 

Once a client and I agree to work together, I invite the client to Clocktree.  If the client accepts, we can communicate entirely through this platform and feel confident in the security of the communication.

It is important to note that technology is not infailiable.  Quite the opposite!  There may be times when a session via video is interrupted by technical difficulties.  In this case, I will immediately try to refresh the connection.  If this does not solve the issue, we can message one another and decide to finish the session by phone or schedule for another time.