Online Therapy
Are You Struggling to Feel Safe in a World with COVID-19?
- Is it hard for you to keep up with all the changes happening with this pandemic?
- Do you worry that you or your loved one will become seriously ill?
- Are your anxious thoughts making your feel unfocused or keeping you up at night?
- Do you find yourself eating too much or drinking more to try to cope with your feelings?
- Do you feel lonely, lethargic or depressed having to be so isolated now?
- Are you having conflicts at home due to being forced to spend so much time together?
If You’re Worried, You’re Not Alone
Most people are struggling with managing their feelings now. Our world has changed and no longer feels safe. As COVID-19 sweeps across the globe, it leads to feelings of unrest, panic, anxiety and isolation.
However, the good news is that with the help of an experienced, compassionate therapist you can find positive ways to cope with the stress and the strong emotions that you are feeling. I am offering online therapy so you can safely benefit from the same quality counseling you would normally experience in my office in the comfort of your own home.
Online counseling is easy to do even if you’ve never experienced it before. If you find technology challenging, I’ll help you get set up, and within a few minutes you’ll feel like you have the hang of it.
Online Therapy Can Help You Find Balance in This Difficult Time
You may be feeling so overwhelmed right now that you’re undecided about making an appointment for counseling. But why not have some professional support to help you to manage your distressing feelings? By learning new coping skills now, you’ll be better able to navigate the upcoming challenges as they arise.
Even though we won’t physically be in the same room together, I’ll provide a therapeutic space where there is no judgment, so you can feel comfortable expressing yourself in your own way. I’ll support you every step of the way as we work together at your own pace.
How Online Therapy Works
Online therapy is like in-person therapy. We will still meet face to face, the only 
difference being that the meeting will take place over video rather than in person. Our session will still be private and confidential as long as you are able to find some privacy at the time of our meeting.
Initially, I will spend some time getting to know you and what type of support you want. We will discuss what is troubling you and your goals for treatment. Once I have a better understanding of your feelings, strengths and goals, we’ll create a treatment plan that is tailored just for you.
The important thing to keep in mind is that my approach is client centered. This means that we start where you’re at and move forward at your pace. There are many tools in my therapeutic toolbox, and I’ll make some recommendations about which ones are likely to be the most effective for you. My goal is to help you to find relief as fast as possible, while at the same time teaching you the skills you need moving forward to feel balanced, make good decisions and have better relationships.
Treatment Types We Can Do Online
Depending on your unique needs and goals, I will likely recommend one or more of several scientifically validated treatment methods. These include EMDR, Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), BWRT and Hypnotherapy. I also offer Couples Counseling for couples who would like to learn how to resolve conflicts and improve communication during this stressful time. We will discuss which approaches may be most beneficial to you and you can decide for yourself what methods you want to try and decline any that you aren’t comfortable with.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)
EMDR is a science-based approach that gets to the root of anxiety, fear, shame and trauma. It has been shown in numerous studies to be the most effective treatment approach for PTSD. When there are emotional issues rooted in past events, they’re often exacerbated by current stressors. EMDR treatment enables the brain to permanently heal past wounds, thereby helping you to feel better in the present. While EMDR is traditionally done in an office, we can conduct EMDR just as effectively with online therapy.
Mindfulness
This method is especially helpful for people struggling with panic, anxiety, worry and fear. You may have noticed that when you are feeling anxious, your thoughts seem to be getting ahead of you. You may find yourself having too many “what if” thoughts or playing out worst case scenarios in our mind. If this sounds like you, mindfulness could be very beneficial. Mindfulness helps you to learn how to live in the present rather than thinking so far ahead. By learning effective relaxation methods, you’ll be able to focus more on what is happening now and greatly reduce your anxious feelings so you can feel calmer and more in control.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
CBT has been proven to be very effective for depression and anxiety as well as overcoming bad habits and addictions. With this approach, you’ll learn to identify the negative thinking and behavior patterns that are preventing you from being at your best. Together, we’ll develop positive strategies to break those unhelpful patterns. You’ll discover more useful thoughts and behaviors that you can practice on your own for even greater benefit.
BWRT (Brainworking Recursive Therapy)
Developed in the U.K., this cutting-edge treatment is a rapid and effective method to replace old patterns in the brain to new, positive patterns. The beauty of this method is that there is no need to disclose details of your past or present issues. Instead, you simply identify something you want to change and decide how you want to feel instead. BWRT is especially useful in treating phobias, anxiety, guilt, shame and trauma. There are also excellent protocols to increase confidence and motivation.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy sounds scary to some people because they’ve seen a hypnosis stage show or watched the way hypnosis is portrayed in movies. Contrary to what most people think, during hypnotherapy, you are in complete control and can’t be made to do anything you don’t want to do. With this method (and only with your permission), I will gently guide you to a very relaxed state where your mind is more open to positive suggestions. Hypnotherapy is an excellent tool that enables clients to break bad habits much more easily. It can also help to alleviate emotional pain as well as reduce symptoms for various medical issues.
Couples Counseling
The Coronavirus is really taking its toll on relationships right now. Staying at home together can lead to increased conflicts without the usual breaks from each other to which we are accustomed. If there was already tension in your marriage or relationship, chances are that the tension has only increased during this pandemic. And if you were otherwise getting along pretty well, you may be finding that you are disagreeing on how to manage finances, shopping, childcare or keeping your household safe. Online couples counseling is an excellent idea if you are seeking more peace in your home.
You May Have Some Questions About Online Therapy…
Is online therapy private and confidential?
Your session will be private as long as you have privacy where you are. When you have an online therapy session, you’ll simply want to find a place where you won’t be disturbed, and others can’t easily hear you. Before your session, you may need to ask others in your home to respect your space and keep the noise level down while your door is shut.
How do I prepare for the online session?
Just make sure that you have a good internet connection and close other browsers and apps that might be running so we can keep a good connection. If you are using your smart phone, try to be “hands free” so you can relax and take notes if you want to. Get a beverage, have some tissues handy (if you think you’ll need them) and make yourself comfortable.
Is online therapy as good as regular therapy?
In my experience, I see no difference in the effectiveness of online counseling vs. in-person counseling. Even clients who were reluctant to try online therapy have found that they adapted to it very easily and found it to be very helpful. Many of my clients have told me that now they like it better than meeting in-person because they feel like they can really be themselves. Without having to get dressed up, drive to the office and find a parking spot, you’ll likely be more relaxed when our session starts. All you need to do is put on your comfortable clothes, get comfy and connect at the time of our appointment.
Is online counseling worth the investment?
Most therapists would agree that online therapy is very helpful with the new challenges we are facing. It makes sense to address the feelings you have now rather than later. This crisis is very difficult, but there is no need to go through it alone. Why not get some support now so you can navigate through this time of uncertainty more easily? Once this is all over and things get back to normal, you’ll have new skills which will enable you to be more prepared as you move forward with your life.
Take the Next Step to Find Calmness at this Time of Unrest
Don’t try to tough this one out alone. Professional guidance and support can be of tremendous benefit at this time. Reach out today to schedule a free phone or video consultation to see if you think we’re a good fit.
I look forward to connecting with you soon. Click here to set up a free 20-minute consult: Contact Valerie