More and more people are doing therapy online these days. Before 2020, most people only had therapy in person. Now, many therapists offer both in-person and online appointments. Some therapists, like myself, only offer online therapy, also called teletherapy.
Online therapy can be just as effective as meeting a therapist in their office. In this blog, I’ll discuss the benefits and challenges of online therapy, how online therapy works, what to expect, how to find a good online therapist and prepare for sessions, and highlight the next steps to help you decide what might work best for you.
Benefits of Online Therapy
1. Convenience: You don’t have to worry about taking time off work, driving through traffic, or finding parking. You can talk to your therapist from your own home, dorm room, office, or even your car (parked car, that is). All you need is a reliable internet connection to log into the virtual session and have therapy!
2. Childcare: If your kids are old enough to play by themselves and they’re home from school, you won’t need to arrange for childcare during your therapy session.
3. Weather: You don’t have to miss a session because of bad weather.
4. Comfort: You can have therapy from the comfort of your couch or bed. You might even have a cozy blanket or a warm drink with you!
5. Accessibility: Online therapy is great for people with anxiety, phobias, or those who find it hard to leave their homes.
6. No Travel Costs: If you live far away, you won’t spend money on gas for long drives.
7. Flexible payment: You can easily pay your therapist online without bringing cash or a credit card to your session.
8. Save Time: You can finish your session and get back to your day without the time it takes to travel.
5. Save Money: When you consider things like time away from work, child care, gas, time spent driving to and from therapy, and parking, online therapy may be less expensive than in-person therapy.
Potential Challenges of Online Therapy
1. You need a reliable internet connection. If the internet goes out, you can sometimes switch to a phone call.
2. Power Issues: If there’s a power outage, you might still meet your therapist using your phone's data.
3. Connection with Your Therapist: Some people worry about not feeling connected to their therapist online. Good therapists know how to make sure you still feel that connection, even virtually.
4. Screen Time: If you spend a lot of time online for work or school, you might want some in-person time instead.
Now that you know some of the benefits and challenges of online therapy, and have a better idea of whether it’s effective, let’s discuss whether it’s effective.
Is Online Therapy in Colorado Effective?
In a nutshell, yes! Online therapy is highly effective when you work with a therapist who is skilled at holding space in virtual environments.
I have successfully worked with clients virtually for over 25 years, (as both a professional coach and licensed professional psychotherapist). Therapists who offer online therapy are highly skilled at attunement, which means being aware of and responsive to another person's emotions and moods.
The methods I utilize most often with clients include psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), Somatic Trauma Resolution & Integration, and Hypnotherapy to support clients in healing and transforming PTSD, C-PTSD, resolving anxiety and depression, repairing attachment and inner child wounds, integrating spiritual awakening experiences, navigating challenging life transitions, exploring pleasure, embodiment and sexuality challenges, and resolving pelvic pain during sex (women).
What Happens During Online Sessions? How do They Work?
During online sessions, you will be encouraged to sit up or lie down - whatever helps you relax and feel comfortable, and also stay awake and tuned into your body and emotions.
During somatic therapy sessions, you will be guided to focus your awareness inward and connect to body-felt sensations and emotions, which helps improve the mind-body connection (also called interoception) and supports nervous system healing and regulation.
During hypnotherapy sessions, you will be completely awake and aware, while also fully relaxed and guided to access your subconscious mind, to identify and release the root cause of distressing symptoms, such as anxious or avoidant attachment patterns, anxiety, fears & phobias, addictions, and unresolved PTSD and c-PTSD.
During online Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy sessions, you will lie back, cover your eyes with an eye mask, and listen to a playlist of music specially selected to support you in healing issues such as depression, anxiety, chronic pain, unresolved trauma, and more. During each KAP session, I will guide you through a mind-body connection practice to help you relax and connect with your subconscious mind and intentions for each session and release old patterns that no longer serve you. Finally, we will co-create new thoughts and beliefs that support you to create the life you desire.
What do I Need to do to Prepare For Online Therapy Sessions?
Preparation looks different for each person depending on the therapist’s approach. It’s best to talk with your therapist about this so they can help you prepare for the therapeutic journey specific to you.
In my work with clients, I encourage clients to come prepared to be authentic, allow themselves to be vulnerable, and receive support. I also invite them to journal about insights gained between sessions. Before their next session, I ask them to think about what they want to explore during their session so they come prepared to do inner work to get the most out of their therapy with me.
My work with clients is collaborative. What happens during therapy sessions is powerful, and what the client does to support their healing journey between therapy sessions has a tremendous impact on positive outcomes.
Can I Get Good Therapy With an Online Therapist?
First, let’s start with what good therapy means. Good therapy means that you feel heard, seen, validated, and held with unconditional positive regard by your therapist. It also means that you feel safe discussing things that feel edgy, or that you carry shame or guilt about. It means that the therapist meets you where you are on your journey, and supports you to overcome and heal from challenges and connect to what’s beyond therapy. That’s the whole goal of therapy, after all, to shift out of struggling into healing and transformation, and then thriving.
It also means that your therapist does more than nod their head and say things like “tell me more,” or “that sounds hard.” Good therapy means your therapist will listen deeply (attuned listening), support and encourage you, and also challenge you (within your window of tolerance) when they notice limiting beliefs, unconscious patterns, or ways that you sabotage yourself coming up. Having your therapist challenge you may feel tough, but when you’re working with a therapist you trust, you will come to welcome them calling out your blind spots because this will help you heal and grow.
I’m Convinced! I Want to Try Online Therapy. But How do I Know if Online Therapy Will Work For Me?
Over the 26 years that I have been working with clients virtually, I get this question a lot!
I tell people during their first initial Discovery Call that if they’re open to exploring and trying something new, they will usually find that after the very first intake session they will feel comfortable and their minds at ease.
At Compass Healing Project, we offer both online and in-person therapy for clients who live in Colorado and California. Erin (in Colorado) and Linda (in California) see clients in person and online. Mallory and Grace offer online therapy for clients throughout Colorado. Each therapist offers a free Discovery Call, so you can learn more.
Contact us today! We’re excited to meet you.
Begin Online Therapy in Colorado or California!
Discover the transformative power of online therapy in Colorado, offering specialized support through somatic therapy, couples counseling, grief support, and hypnotherapy. Whether you're looking to heal, reconnect, or explore deeper emotional resilience, at Compass Healing Project, we're here to guide you every step of the way. Reach out to start your journey toward growth, connection, and lasting peace by following these three simple steps:
Reach Out and Fill out our New Client Inquiry Form to get started.
Schedule a discovery call with one of our skilled online therapists to discuss your needs and goals.
Take the first step toward growth and well-being today!
Additional Counseling Services at Compass Healing Project
At Compass Healing Project, we take a holistic approach to therapy, using a range of modalities to support various mental health needs. In addition to online therapy, we offer Somatic Therapy, EMDR, Clinical Sexology, hypnotherapy, ketamine-assisted therapy, and embodiment practices—each tailored to help with anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief, sexuality concerns, and relationship issues. To learn more about our services, visit our blog or connect with our compassionate therapists in Colorado and California, who specialize in trauma resolution, emotional healing, and integrative therapy to support your journey to well-being.
About The Author
Grace Willow is a LPC, Integrative Somatic Therapist who specializes in Somatic Trauma Resolution, Psychedelic Assisted Therapy (KAP), and Clinical Hypnotherapy. She works virtually with adult individuals in the state of Colorado and has current openings for new clients. Read more about her here or book a discovery call.
For additional information to consider, check out the articles below:
American Psychological Association. (2015). What you need to know before choosing online therapy. Become an informed consumer of telepsychology services—learn factors to take into account when considering online therapy and explore additional resources. https://www.apa.org/topics/telehealth/online-therapy
Healthline. (May 18, 2018). Holland, K. Is Hypnosis Real? And 16 Other Questions, Answered. https://www.healthline.com/health/is-hypnosis-real
Psychedelics Support. (June 19, 2020). Gold, V., Sienknecht, E. Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Online? Is the COVID pandemic presenting us with a new opportunity in the field to offer ketamine-assisted psychotherapy online? https://psychedelic.support/resources/ketamine-assisted-psychotherapy-online/
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