Online Therapy Near Me
Does the title of this blog post sound familiar? Is “online therapy near me” a search term you typed into your Google search bar recently? I certainly have. Being a registered counselling therapist and registered psychotherapist does not exempt me from being human. Inasmuch, I receive psychotherapy and counselling too; it’s an important part of how I care for myself. This blog post talks a bit more about my perspectives on online therapy and virtual counselling both as a mental health practitioner and as a client.
Why Online Therapy?
Online therapy can be an accessible option for many people. In cases where transportation options are limited, you can save travel time, gas money, and energy by engaging in online therapy from the comfort of your own home or other private space.
Most mental health concerns can be addressed through online therapy including (but not limited to):
Couples counselling / marriage counselling
Substance use/addictions (This depends also on where a person is at in their journey with substance use/addictions. That said, online therapy can be a very viable option for loved ones, family, and friends who are effected by the substance use/addictions of another person.)
Depression
Anxiety
Low self-esteem
Burn-out
Stress management
Trauma
Emotional dysregulation
Grief and loss
Relationships (family, friends, romantic partners, co-workers, etc.)
Identity
Online therapy is a beneficial solution for those living further away from urban centers where therapist offices are often located, as well as for those who are looking for a more convenient and flexible way to engage in psychotherapy and counselling.
Another advantage of online therapy and virtual counselling is that you may be looking for a therapist with a specific area of specialization, or background that is not readily available where you live. Online therapy can enable you to find a therapist in a different jurisdiction who suits your needs for specialization, specific training, experience, or background.
What To Be Aware Of
Here are some key considerations when thinking about doing therapy online or virtually:
Time and Space: As a client, ensure that the space you are in is quiet, well-lit, confidential, and private. It’s best if you can be assured that you can speak freely and honestly without fear of being overheard by anyone. For some, this may be in your home at a time when no one else is in the house. It may be in your vehicle, parked in a secluded place where you know you won’t be disturbed by passersby or other traffic. Or, it may be in your workplace, where you book out a meeting room to possibly do a session during your lunch break. These are just a few suggestions, based on what I have experienced in the past, you may have other options that work better for you.
Device: Ensure your device is fully charged before session. It’s tough to start making headway and then have your device battery drain mid-session. Have your device fully charged or plugged in during the session. Another consideration when it comes to devices is size. For couples counselling, marriage counselling, or EMDR therapy online it’s best to have a larger screen such as a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. For couples counselling online, a larger screen size allows for both members of the couple to occupy equal space in the session. For EMDR therapy the larger screen size is necessary for eye movement tracking.
Software: Most therapists who offer online therapy are prudent enough to facilitate sessions using software and online therapy tools that are compliant with Canadian privacy laws and health regulations. Some common online therapy tools include Jane App (this is the tool I use in my own practice), and Owl Practice (I have used this as a client receiving online therapy). There are others out there that I haven’t listed, so be sure to do your due diligence to ensure you are comfortable with the software being used. Be careful not to engage in sessions using social media platforms such as Whattsap or Facebook, these tools are not recommended for online therapy or virtual counselling due to privacy and information storing concerns.
Internet Speed and Private Connection: Most of the time, a high speed internet connection is required for online therapy. It may be helpful to preserve bandwidth by not have any videos streaming (i.e. Netflix, YouTube, etc.) while you are in session. Another consideration is a private internet connection. Connecting to public wi-fi sources (i.e. through a restaurant wi-fi, hotel guest wi-fi, airport wi-fi, etc.) are generally not secure and not recommended for things that require confidentiality like online therapy and virtual counselling.
Who Can I Work With?
In Canada, the rules, practices, and regulations around where you live and who you can receive online counselling services from differ a bit from province to province, and from practitioner to practitioner. Also, if you are paying for services through extended benefits/health insurance, it’s important to know whether the practitioner you are intending to work with is covered or not, based on their registration or certification (i.e. some plans may only cover services provided by a licensed psychologist, registered social worker, registered psychotherapist, etc.) For myself here at Marathon Mental Health Services, my registrations and certifications allow me to provide online counselling and virtual therapy services to clients located in:
British Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Newfoundland and Labrador
Yukon Territories
Northwest Territories
Nunavut
If you are looking to receive online therapy from a service provider who is located in a different province from the one you reside in, you may want to ask them about time zones, their office space, which organizations or associations they are registered with, how the complaint process works, and where your personal information is stored. These are just a few recommendations, you may have other questions that are important to you so ask them!
What’s Next?
Online therapy has made psychotherapy and counselling therapy more accessible than ever. Convenience, accessibility, comfort, and connection are all parts of the pie that make virtual therapy more attractive to more and more people. Feel free to contact me to learn more about how online therapy can be of benefit to you.
