Online Therapy
Online therapy is an effective (and convenient) way to work on your goals and improve your mental health.
I specialize in therapy for moms, and I offer person-centered telehealth therapy for residents of Pennsylvania.
What is Online Therapy?
Online therapy, also referred to as telehealth therapy or online counseling, is a form of therapy that uses a telephone or video platform to deliver treatment.
Online therapy requires smartphone, tablet, or computer, and an internet connection. Additional equipment, like headphones or a microphone, can enhance the experience.
In order to protect your privacy and maintain confidentiality, licensed mental health providers use secure telehealth platforms that are compliant with HIPAA standards.
Generally speaking, online therapy is able to deliver the same types of therapy as in-person treatment.
All of the therapy services provided at the Center of Creative Counseling are extremely effective over telehealth.
I have a lot of experience working with clients remotely and have found it quite comparable to in-person therapy. Plus, there are quite a few perks to online therapy as well.
Convenient and Accessible
Because online therapy can happen virtually anywhere with the click of a button, it’s incredibly convenient. Plus, you are no longer limited to seeing one of the therapists in your local area. You can see virtually anyone who is licensed in your state.
I am based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but with telehealth technology, I can provide online therapy services to anyone in the state of Pennsylvania.
What’s more, you as the online therapy client have so much less to worry about. Scheduling is less of a challenge because there’s no drive time.
You don’t have to waste gas driving to an office, stress about finding parking, or worry about being seen by someone you know.
Instead you can roll out of bed, grab a cup of coffee and a blanket, flip open your laptop, and dive into your session.
Increased Comfort Zone
Another benefit to doing therapy from the comfort of your home (besides the snuggly blanket) is the level of comfort you can achieve. How comfortable you are really translates to how safe you feel to open up.
Imagine you’re in your bedroom, your favorite candle burning, the soft glow of your laptop and lamp are the only lights in the room. No one can hear you and the door is locked. Talk about comfortable! 🙂
I have heard from countless clients that this type of setting makes it so much easier for them to tell their story. They feel like they can go deeper and get more vulnerable in the work because of how secure they feel in their chosen environment.
Telehealth Emergency Plan
Although online therapy can do nearly everything in-person therapy can, there is one challenge that must be addressed, and that is your safety.
While it’s much more likely you will feel safest doing therapy in your own home, there are a few rare exceptions.
There are situations in which clients aren’t able to secure the privacy or safety they need to have confidential sessions (i.e. severe relational conflict, intimate partner violence, etc.).
Additionally, there are some mental health concerns for which telehealth may not always be the best fit, mainly due to the severity of those issues (i.e. actively suicidal clients, clients who regularly self-harm, etc.)
Although I conduct a thorough assessment to ensure we are a good clinical fit, both for my services as well as online therapy, it’s not always possible to predict when safety issues will arise.
That is why, in addition to your crisis safety plan, I create an emergency telehealth plan with you.
The telehealth emergency plan ensures that we both know exactly what steps to take in an emergency and what specific resources to use.
What Are the Benefits of Online Therapy?
Research has shown that online therapy is equally as effective in-person therapy and counseling, and it even has a few benefits that are exclusive to telehealth therapy.
The American Counseling Association highlights the benefits of online therapy and counseling on its website.
Online therapy can:
- increase the level of safety you feel in session
- save you time and money (i.e. no commute, gas, parking, etc.)
- remove barriers to getting the treatment you need (i.e. transportation, finding the best therapist for your issue, less need for childcare while attending therapy, etc.)
- reduce the need for cancelled or missed sessions
- offer therapy support for those who are struggling or unable to leave home
- enhance the therapeutic relationship
Is Online Therapy Right For You?
If you are right for the level of care and services that I provide at the Center for Creative Counseling, then online therapy is right for you. 😊
The only requirement is that you have at minimum a smartphone, internet access, and a private place to do therapy, and you are good to go.
I will talk with you during your consultation call and during the initial assessment to confirm that my level of care and services can meet your needs. I will also be happy to answer any questions you might have about what online therapy is like.
Online Therapy in Pennsylvania
In this new world, aka the pandemic that won’t end, we’ve got a major silver lining – online therapy! And that silver lining is here to stay.
The Center for Creative Counseling provides online therapy in Pennsylvania. Online therapy shares all of the same benefits as in-person therapy and has a few of its own, as mentioned above. With online therapy, you get to do therapy from the comfort of your own home, in the room or setting where you feel most comfortable.
I utilize and provide digital therapy worksheets, presentations, guided journals, and workbooks, depending on the situation. Plus, you also get the added benefit of using the telehealth platform’s digital tools as well.
I use a secure telehealth platform to protect your privacy and maintain confidentiality. I also use a secure messaging and email platform that allows for the safe exchange of information to help us do the work with ease.
Finding the Right Online Therapy in Pennsylvania
Finding the right online therapy in Pennsylvania is important. Just as with in-person therapy, you want to make sure you have a good connection with your online therapist. And I mean that literally, too.
Finding a Tech Savvy Online Therapist in Pennsylvania
The internet connection needs to be good. The platform needs to be dependable. And you and your therapist need to be able to hear each other.
Therapists who are not tech savvy are going to struggle with walking you through the technology and equipment side of things And if they don’t know what they are doing, it’s not going to bode well for the therapeutic relationship.
Online Therapy and Body Language
Not every therapist is cut out for telehealth therapy. I know some therapists who find online therapy super taxing, and they really struggle with video sessions.
They might be distracted or fatigued by the experience and it can impact how present they are. They might miss things you say or may not notice when you are having a reaction to something. That can really have a negative impact on your work together.
That’s why it’s super important to find online therapy in Pennsylvania with someone who is really comfortable with telehealth.
Finding a Therapist With Telehealth Experience
Some therapists say that you miss important nonverbal cues over telehealth. But as a self-diagnosed empath and highly sensitive person, I’m here to tell you that is simply not true for every therapist.
For me, I find that I’m just as attuned to my clients’ emotional energy and nonverbal body language during online therapy sessions as I am in the office.
There are lots of excellent Pennsylvania therapists out there, and you have access to any and all who offer telehealth. And remember, you have every right to make sure they are a good fit, and if they aren’t, it is always OK to find another therapist.
Interested in Online Therapy with Me?
If you are considering online therapy, check out the Services page for more information about the services offered at the Center for Creative Counseling.
And if you are wondering whether I am the right therapist for you, then visit the About page to discover more about my approach and expertise.
I have a lot of experience with telehealth so you will be in good hands if you decide to work with me. I love providing online therapy and seeing clients benefit from such a convenient, effective service.
To get started, book a free consultation using my secure portal, and feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
Getting Started:
Online Therapy in Pennsylvania
Interested in receiving online therapy through the Center for Creative Counseling? Awesome!
We offer online therapy services in Pennsylvania. Visit the secure portal to schedule your free consultation.
Hayley Wilds, MA, LPC, CCTP, CGP
Licensed Professional Counselor
Hayley is a licensed professional counselor based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Hayley has worked with parents, kids, and families for nearly 20 years. Her experience includes work as an individual outpatient therapist, family-based therapist, and clinical supervisor.
