Online Therapy
Online therapy in Chicago and across Illinois, Michigan,
Wisconsin, and Florida
Online Therapy
Introducing a new therapy option….personalized psychotherapy from the comfort of your own home
So, you want to work with me, but maybe you don’t live close to my office – no problem.
Or maybe you live relatively close to my office; but let’s be honest, spending an extra 30-45 minutes commuting back and forth doesn’t sound too appealing. You have other things to do.
Or maybe you want therapy to be extra convenient and meet during your lunch hour or from the comfort of your bedroom – I get it.
Online therapy is the answer to all of your problems and available to all residents in Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Florida. Click the button below to set up a consultation, and I will handle everything from there.
How do you set up an online therapy session?
We will start with the risk-free 15-minute phone consultation to explore what brings you to therapy, what you hope to accomplish, and ensure we are a good fit to work together.
Then, we will move forward with scheduling. I’ll send over some documents for you to fill out and sign off on electronically.
Next, you will receive text/email reminders for our scheduled appointment time, which will include a link to the video platform. I use Simple Practice, which is a HIPAA-compliant platform and can be accessed on any device. Should you choose to use your phone for our sessions, you will need to download the free app.
Here are some guidelines to follow:
If followed, online therapy can be made just as effective as face-to-face sessions.
First, make sure you have reliable WiFi, data, and/or signal. This is PARAMOUNT because, without it, the flow of the session will be interrupted. Therapy is all about being seen and heard, so this is a must.
Second, give yourself 5-10 minutes before the session starts to find a quiet place and have some time to gather your thoughts, think about how you would like to utilize your session, and ensure you are ready to start on time.
Third, find a good spot to sit for online sessions. Ensure you’re in a comfy and quiet location. Try not to have a window behind you so you’re not backlit…..it’s important that I see your face.
Popular places for online sessions include the following:
Bedroom – with the door closed (you can put a “Do Not Disturb” sign up if needed).
Car – if your house is full of family or you want to meet during your lunch break, this is a great option for privacy. Make sure you are parked somewhere near reliable internet or a good spot for data use. Mount your phone or prop it up so it remains stationary.
Backyard – close enough to home, so you can use the WiFi but also out of earshot from the family, kids, or partner.
Home office – super convenient since you can take a break while working but still have privacy while your family is roaming about the house.
Bathtub – I have never actually seen this, but I’ve heard of new mothers whose only break from family is the solitude they receive in the restroom. Let’s try and see how it goes!
Fourth, be flexible & adaptive. Technology sometimes glitches, so you may have to endure dropped calls, frozen screens, or video delays. With our online sessions, there will be a Plan B to ensure the session continues despite interruptions.
I, too, will sometimes switch the platform we are using within the first few minutes, especially if you or I notice a snag. If the connection is poor in a particular room, feel free to move to a different location during the session.
Frequently Asked Questions about Online Therapy:
Is it the same quality as in-person therapy?
Yes. It is just as effective as in-person therapy. Given the relationship with your therapist accounts for 30% of success in therapy, it’s more important that you see someone who’s a good fit, whether that be in-person or virtually.
How well can you get to know a therapist or build trust with someone you’ve never met face-to-face?
It doesn’t require face-to-face interactions to build trust with someone. Think about a public figure you admire or your favorite podcast host…..have you ever met them? It’s more about how connected you feel to that individual and whether they present themselves as compassionate, non-judgmental, and understanding. Nowadays, just about everything is digital, so we have to learn to adapt to news ways of interacting and communicating.
What about privacy? Is everything safe and confidential?
I use a HIPAA-compliant platform called Simple Practice to conduct video calls. This means it’s encrypted and fully protects all of your personal, medical, and health information. This is also where I store all of my documentation and billing information, so it’s extremely secure.
My advice is based on personal experience.
I’m from the Chicago area, and my therapist was in Florida. I wanted to work with someone who met my needs and provided the type of therapy/coaching I knew would work best for me.
It just so happened that the therapist of my dreams had an office 1,363 miles away from me (yes, I googled it). With the option of online therapy, distance wasn’t a problem. We met consistently, I worked on myself, and I got the support I needed from someone who understood, even though they were thousands of miles away.
Ready to get started? Schedule your FREE 15-minute phone consultation with me now!
