Online Therapy 

Online therapy gives you the benefits of traditional therapy with more convenience. The same therapeutic techniques are used in online therapy appointments, just used through video. We know you are busy, and how hard it can be to take time for yourself. We also believe you deserve protected time focused on your self growth.

With telehealth you have the following:

1. Elimination of travel time, so all you need is 45 minutes.
2. More flexibility. We can meet during your lunch hour, between meetings, or before or after work.
3. More privacy and confidentiality by eliminating having to run into someone in a waiting room.
4. More accessibility to quality care. You are no longer limited to therapy providers. You can find someone that specializes in your specific concern throughout your state.

“Since 2018 I have been doing telehealth appointments. I started in Chicago and now am seeing clients virtually from Atlanta. I prefer online therapy. It feels like a privilege to be able to meet with someone in their own space that they feel comfortable in. This can even help develop more feelings of safety in the relationship. We also get to laugh together about the cat jumping over the computer or other things that happen that are just part of life. You get to come as you are, in pajamas, hair wet from the shower, or with a baby on your lap. There are many individuals I have never seen in person, and I feel just as connected to them as I do to people I have met within the therapy office.” – Dr. Leslie

Questions About Online Therapy

What to expect from online therapy?

Telehealth appointments can feel very similar to face-to-face therapy visits, and many people prefer the ease and convenience of these appointments. Once an appointment is scheduled, you will be given a link to Doxy, which is a telehealth platform used by many mental health and medical professionals. This will be used to do video sessions. Your psychologist will be located in Atlanta, Georgia for the video appointments. You can be in any state in which your psychologist is licensed. We see clients throughout Georgia; in Decatur, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Midtown, Dunwoody, and more. We also see clients throughout the US. Before starting therapy at Best Within You Therapy & Wellness we will check to confirm that we are licensed in your state and able to legally provide telehealth services to you. If we are not licensed in your state, we will make sure to connect you with a counselor

How to get the most out of telehealth appointments?

1. Check that you have a stable internet connection
2. Find a place that feels secure and private
3. You can use a white noise machine outside of your door or a white noise app on your phone
4. You can use headphones or the speaker on your device
5. Decide if you want to use a computer or phone. You can try out both to see which feels best
7. Feel free to grab a blanket, a cup of tea, or whatever it is that can make you feel most comfortable.

What conditions could be a good fit for online therapy?

If you are looking for counseling for feelings of anxiety, therapy for binge eating, depression treatment, body image help, help with emotional eating, or insomnia treatment online counseling could be a good fit. We also work with people struggling with adjustments and relationship challenges.

Is telehealth effective?

If you are a data person or interested in research, know that there are various studies on the effectiveness of online therapy. Below is information on studies that have found online counseling to be just as effective as traditional face-to-face therapy.

The National Center for Health Research talks about several studies that compare in-person therapy to telehealth. A 2018 meta-analysis compared face to face counseling to online therapy for depression and anxiety. The study looked at Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) across more than 1,400 therapy patients. Results showed that online CBT was just as effective as face-to-face CBT for the treatment of depression and anxiety.

A 2020 study looked at a different type of therapy approach called Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. It was found that online counseling was equally as effective as a traditional therapy in reducing anxiety.

Another study, which looked at PTSD, found that both online and face-to-face therapy reduced PTSD symptoms. The study also found that patients were just as satisfied with online therapy.

In a 2017 literature review, the effectiveness of ICBT (internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy) was explored. It was found that ICBT is effective in both the treatment and management of many psychiatric disorders such as depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorders, phobias, addiction, substance use disorders, adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, and OCD.

Studies have also looked at internet-based treatment for binge eating. A 2020 study suggested that internet-based treatment is an effective intervention for binge eating disorders.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5659300/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32918321/

If you have any questions or concerns about telehealth we are happy to address them before scheduling a therapy appointment. Everyone is unique, and online therapy may not be the right fit for everyone. We want you to get the care that is the best for you and the quality care you deserve. You can schedule a therapy  appointment with a psychologist today.