Pleasant Surprises in Online Counseling
For many therapists, telehealth has historically not been a modality of interest. After all, many therapists love meeting with their clients in person, and there was concern about whether or not the same connection and observations could be made while on a screen. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has forced most everyone to consider the potential benefits of online counseling services. While therapists and clients alike may have been nervous about using new technologies, the personal accounts below show that there have been some pleasant surprises along the way.
In this blog, you’ll get to see what LifeSpring therapists have to say about online counseling and what their clients think about it as well. If you’ve been hesitant to try telemental health counseling services, you may relate to some of our therapists’ initial reactions. You might find, however, that you’ll be pleasantly surprised too!
Rivky Steen, LGPC
LifeSpring Counseling Services’ Therapist
To be totally honest, I was devastated when I transferred from in person sessions to telehealth. I loved meeting my clients in person and having the benefit of a more personal touch. What I discovered however, was actually surprising. I found that for the most part (after the learning curve of the new technology!) for both me and my clients, telehealth was super convenient. Neither me, nor my clients missed the commute to and from appointments.
I also discovered that telehealth is a more personal experience in some respects, as my clients invited me into their personal space when receiving my services and I got to know my clients in a totally different way. With my new positive experience with telehealth, I anticipate that many clients will wish to continue via telehealth, even post-pandemic. While I still miss meeting my clients in person, I look forward to a time when my clients can choose either modality, not out of fear or health concerns, but as a conscious decision of treatment preference.
Rebecca Lencz, LCPC
LifeSpring Counseling Services’ Therapist
Telehealth is something that, in the past, I stayed away from. "How would I be able to connect with people through a screen?” I thought. Then the coronavirus pandemic happened, and I had no choice but to adapt. Surprisingly, I found that it really is not that different from in-person sessions, and in many ways, advantageous. Thinking about what I really like about telehealth, the first thing that comes to mind is the flexibility it offers. When in the office, I had set hours due to my own schedule as well as office availability, and clients scheduled around this framework. Of course, there was travel time involved for me, as well as specific blocks of time set aside for my dedicated office hours. Now, with telehealth, I have a lot more flexibility in the scheduling times I can offer, and this works well for me as well as my clients! I think my clients also appreciate the flexibility, as they have more time options available, and likewise do not need to invest time in travelling to and from our office location. In many ways, telehealth provides a more practical and easy alternative to the in-person appointments, and I have to admit, I have been pleasantly surprised at how we have all adapted to the telehealth option and found it to be an effective way to engage in therapy!
Sara Secada-Lovio, LCPC
LifeSpring Counseling Services’ Therapist
I was skeptical of telehealth in the beginning and did not have any experience doing telehealth until the pandemic started in March. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it is after I got everything up and running! I am enjoying the flexibility and accessibility of telehealth.
I am excited that telehealth removes barriers (such as distance, needing to find child care, etc.) and makes it easier to access counseling services. I have noticed my clients enjoy that it is a way to continue services and/or begin services. Just because the world has stopped doesn’t mean you have to stop growing and healing!
Melissa Wesner, LCPC
LifeSpring Counseling Services’ Therapist, Owner, & Founder
In a way, I started offering telemental health services out of necessity as well. When I relocated to a new state, telehealth was an opportunity for me to continue offering counseling services to individuals in Maryland. While there were some learning curves, I was appreciative of the opportunity to stay connected and offer counseling services, despite having to relocate. As a Brainspotter, I also had to learn how to do Brainspotting online, and I’m so very glad that I can still offer this really amazing treatment modality online. Brainspotting is just as cool online as it is in person!
For clients, I think many were appreciative of the opportunity to have access to ongoing support, despite the fact that online counseling services were not their first choice. After all, meeting online was new for them too, and I find that most people get a little nervous about new technologies. Once the pandemic hit, however, everyone that I had been working with online was already prepared for the world of online counseling. While the transition to online counseling was new for everyone else, we were already in a rhythm.
During the pandemic, I have found that online counseling services allow people to access services (and the type of services they want to access), regardless of where they live. For example, if you live in a rural area where there are a limited number of counselors, that’s no longer a barrier as you can now work with a provider online, anywhere in your state. If you want to access Brainspotting, and there are no Brainspotters in your area, you can now work with a Brainspotter online, even though they may be physically located 2 hours from your home. Additionally, working online allows us to get to know our clients more personally. When working in the office, we often hear clients describe their home, and now that we’re online, we actually get to see them in their home environment, and sometimes meet their pets too.
Online Counseling Means Trying New Things
As you can see, trying new things and learning new technologies can be stressful and anxiety provoking for therapists and clients alike. When we allow ourselves to confront those things, even though they’re a little scary, we often find that they’re not as bad as we thought. In fact, we might even find that we’re more capable than we thought. We might find, as is the case of telehealth, that we actually like it.
Benefits of Online Therapy
2020 has forced us to try new things, and fortunately, we’ve found out that online counseling offers a number of benefits like:
Being able to access counseling services without having to commute.
Accessing counseling services from the comfort of your own home.
Being able to fit counseling services into your busy schedule.
Accessing specialized counseling services that aren’t necessarily available in your home town.
Flexible scheduling.
The ability to receive support while staying safe and healthy in the middle of a pandemic.
At LifeSpring, we’re happy to say that we’ll continue offering telemental health services, even after the pandemic is over.
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Interested in Counseling for Coronavirus-Related Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Loss, or Trauma?
If you’re a Marylander who knows that counseling is the direction you need to take, the therapists at LifeSpring Counseling Services are here to help. We offer online counseling services for mindfulness, depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief and loss. We also offer Brainspotting as a specialized service, and Brainspotting can be done online, too!
Here’s how you can get started! Online counseling for coronavirus-related anxiety, depression, grief, loss, and trauma aren’t the only services offered at our Maryland office
The counselors and social workers at our Maryland office also offer counseling services for trauma, grief and loss, boundary setting, communication skills, and difficult life transitions. We also offer specialized counseling services including Brainspotting and spiritually-integrated counseling. Because we are located next to several local universities, we also work with college students and international students.
Photos: Charles Deluvio on Unsplash
Date of Download: 9/1/2020
