Online therapy has come to be an asset in the field of healing. Gone are the days
that traveling to all your appointments were a necessity. Now, we can have access
to our support system and healthcare at the touch of a fingertip. Covid-19
propelled us into the age of online therapy in a way that we’d never seen before. It had been happening long before Covid, but it wasn’t the norm for therapy. Since 2020, we have learned a lot about making the most of online therapy, and even how, sometimes, it has definite advantages to in person therapy.

What is online therapy?
Online therapy is psychotherapy that takes place online through secure video or
phone conferencing. Online therapy starts out with a phone call or email to inquire about starting therapy, then a free consult to see if your potential therapist can help you with your specific goals, then you’ll get set up with a link for your video sessions. In some cases online therapy may also utilize texting or phone calls.
Each therapist has their own intake process, but usually you’ll spend the first 1-3 sessions getting the lay of the land of symptoms, goals, and history, then you’ll move into the process with the therapist through early, middle, and late stages of a healing process.
Is online therapy a good fit for me?
With many reasons to utilize online therapy, you might be asking if online therapy is right for you. If you’d prefer to be in your own home, or you want to save on gas, transport time, and money, looking for an online therapist may be the right option for you. Another reason to opt for online therapy could be your desire to work with a specific therapist, specialist or a certain modality and your desired therapist might only work virtually.
What are the advantages of online?
There are many advantages to doing therapy online. For one, being in your own
home is by far the most convenient and helpful for the therapy process. Having
therapy in your own space gives you comfort and easefulness for many. No driving, buses,
or gas costs! In addition, you can work on the same issues you would in person. Many specialized and cutting edge therapy modalities are used during online
therapy as well. Online therapy makes therapy more accessible!
Online therapy can be used for individuals, couples and
relationships of all shapes and sizes. It is a convenient and reasonable option.
What do I need for online therapy? Is there special technology I have to get?
For online therapy you need a good internet connection (unless you prefer a phone only), and a private area like a room with doors, a closet, or even sitting in a parked car. No special tools or technology. Your therapist will give you a secure link to encrypt your session and keep your privacy secure.
What are the disadvantages of online therapy?
Potential issues with technology, privacy, and some feel a sense of disconnect and
distraction when doing therapy online. Another downside to online therapy is the preference to be physically present with a therapist. Some people struggle with home life or privacy at home, if this is the case, in-person is usually preferred.
What if there are technical difficulties?
Therapists that work online will have protocols for technical difficulties. Most online
therapists have accessible phones as a back up if video fails. Most therapists have back up video conferencing platforms as well. Online therapists
understand technical difficulties happen, but only rarely do they disrupt the quality
of care received online.
Can I work with a specialist online?
Many therapists work online nowadays, some offer both in person and online,
while others may only offer online or only in person. Somatic therapy, the
approach to therapy that helps to create alignment and healing for mind-body, is
easily used online and in-person. Learning to sense the body, heal trauma stuck in
the nervous system, and create internal calm, peace, and emotional/physical
regulation can all happen online (if desired).

Other forms of specialized therapy are used online, such as:
Somatic Trauma Resolution
EMDR
Couples and relational work
Parts Work (IFS, Inner Child, archetypes)
Attachment Healing
Inquire with potential therapists, see what they offer. Ask about online or in-person availability, days/times that are available, and if they have worked with what you are wanting to work on. Then get a feel for if you feel talking with them and you have a sense that they can take you in the direction you want to go.
Online and in person therapy are both effective, the most important aspect of your search however, is finding a therapist that feels like a good fit for what you are wanting to heal. We recommend prioritizing a good fit with a therapist over location.
What does a “good fit” between therapist and client mean?
To assess if a therapist is a good fit for you, you’d want to explore if
the therapist can help you, if they know the path forward, and if you feel a “click”
like they get you. It's important you feel heard, understood, respected, and can
collaborate well to reach your goals. You will want to sense this in that first consultation, even more so as you embark in session. A good fit, also includes someone that has
availability and an hourly rate that is a good fit as well.
Are online therapy sessions confidential?
Therapists that work online are held to standards to utilize HIPAA compliant secure
video platforms like Zoom, SimplePractice, or Sessions Health. This, in addition to
steps we encourage you to take like finding a secure location and using
headphones to mitigate anyone overhearing, can help set the tone for a private
and deep process with your therapist.
Be weary of helping professionals that do not take privacy or confidentiality seriously, you have a right to privacy. The therapeutic process is greatly dependent on this element being in place.
What does online therapy feel like?
Therapy usually involves a therapist and an individual or relationship working
together to reach the goals of the client(s). Whether we meet in person or online,
this collaborative approach is the same. The therapist will take time to get to know
your goals, your history, what you have already tried, and then work on specific processes for your healing. Within the first few online therapy sessions you and your therapist will be
assessing and discovering the path forward.
How can I get the most out of seeing my therapist online?
In order for any therapy to be successful the client has to take ownership of their
healing process, be willing to make changes, and discover new ways of
approaching different aspects of their lives like their emotions, sexuality, relationships, work, family, and health. This is necessary in person as well as online. Therapy is the step someone takes when they are willing to explore, to be brave, and open about wanting to have a better life.
To get the most out of seeing your therapist online we recommend getting set up a few minutes early so you can start on time, having a sense of what you’d like to work on and having transparency and willingness to look at your life and what may need to be addressed.
How often do I need to go to online therapy?
You have the final deciding agency for how often you want to go to online therapy.
Initially we might recommend you going weekly to establish momentum, rapport, and
make swift progress early on. Some start weekly, others start with every other week. At any point you and your therapist may suggest changing the frequency to what is best for you, your goals, and the progress made. After this initial period, we recommend transitioning to a cadence that works for you.
Your therapist might recommend an increase or decrease in frequency
that will support your treatment plan and goals. However, at the end of the day, it is your choice.
Keeping in mind, far apart sessions, while supportive during the
maintenance phase, can be counterproductive in the early stages of therapy.
What sort of things can I work on in online therapy?
anxiety, depression, self-esteem, self-worth, post traumatic stress, grief and loss,
life transitions, trauma resolution, sex, sexuality, spirituality, chronic conditions,
nervous system dysregulation, relationships, attachment healing, not an
exhaustive list! Inquire with any potential therapist.
Where can I find a good online therapist?
Finding a good therapist does require some leg work, there are a lot of therapists
out there and finding one that is a good fit (therapeutic style, therapeutic approach,
online, availability, fit, and hourly rate) can take a bit of time and patience, but will
be worth the effort.

Some tips for finding a good therapist
Ask friends and other professionals you already trust if they have recommendations
Search listservs and online directories of modalities you are interested in, or curious about, working with such as Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems, EMDR, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couples therapy), Hypnotherapy, Ketamine Assisted Therapy, AASECT (certified sex therapists), or the Trevor project.
Online therapist directories also have online availability search functions, search psychologytoday.com and Therapyden have this feature as well.
Google search for providers’ websites, social media like Facebook, Instagram, and even LinkedIn will have lots of options for you to have an initial “get to know” without having to have the first call answer all your initial questions.
Start Online Therapy in Colorado
We love the option of online therapy here, our specialized providers use cutting-edge techniques online! We think it is a great option. Our skilled clinicians in Colorado and California have years of experience providing deep and transformative therapy online.
We offer free consultation for anyone interested in seeing if we are a good fit for online and or in person therapy with someone on the Compass Healing Project team. Half of our providers are totally online, the other half offer both online and in-person. We invite you to take a step towards more health and wellbeing, hopefully you’ll find that we are ready to guide you online or in-person. Start your therapy journey by following these 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.
Start experiencing the benefits of remote support 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 is 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. Our team specializes in trauma resolution, emotional healing, and integrative therapy to support your journey to well-being.
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