Online Therapy New York City
Welcome to Anchor Therapy where we provide confidential, secure online therapy services to people in the greater New York City area! Our licensed mental health counselors are dedicated to supporting you on your unique mental health journey, whether you are navigating stress or depression, trying to cope with anxious thoughts, or are simply seeking personal growth. Our psychotherapists offer a range of therapeutic approaches to best suit your needs through the comfort and convenience of online mental health counseling.
In today’s fast-paced world and the hustle and bustle of New York City, it can be hard to carve out time in your schedule for an in-person therapy appointment. Therefore, we offer virtual psychotherapy to make therapy both accessible and flexible. That way, you schedule sessions around your busy life, and not the other way around.
At Anchor Therapy, we use secure and user-friendly technology for our virtual counseling sessions, ensuring that the high-quality care you are receiving is protective and can assist you in building the supportive therapeutic relationship you are seeking without the need to travel for in-person counseling sessions. Online therapy can seamlessly fit into your schedule so you can craft a healthier, more balanced life.
In therapy in New York, you can explore a wide range of concerns that impact your well-being.
Common concerns brought up in online mental health counseling include the following:
Anxiety and stress:
Whether you are managing chronic worries, panic attacks, or other daily stressors, an anxiety and stress therapist can help improve your overall quality of life. To find out if you are struggling with anxiety, take our Anxiety Quiz by reading the following blog “Do I Have Anxiety? Take the Quiz and Learn 5 Instant Calming Tips”
Depression:
You can address symptoms of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities that may be interfering with your ability to live day-to-day life. Take our Depression Quiz to learn more
Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
Working through past traumatic experiences can help you in the present
Relationship issues:
Personal and professional relationships can be impacted when communication is off, conflicts are not resolved, and challenges arise
Self-esteem and identity concerns:
Therapy can help you understand your personal identity, give you the space to work on self-acceptance, and enhance your self-esteem
Career and work-related concerns:
Whether you are trying to achieve work-life balance, manage work stressors, or are contemplating a career change, working with a career counselor can prove to be beneficial
Addiction and substance abuse:
Behavioral addictions, challenges related to substance use, and recovery support will be address in substance abuse counseling
Grief and loss:
After losing a loved one or experiencing major life changes, you can unpack the emotional impact in bereavement counseling
Life transitions:
Moving to a new city, breaking up with a long-term partner, and so on can cause a major disruption in your day-to-day life
Mental health disorders:
You can learn to manage mental health diagnoses, such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), in mental health counseling
Postpartum concerns:
With parenthood comes its fair share of challenges, from postpartum depression and anxiety to adjusting to the demands of caring for a newborn child
Sleep issues:
Difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep can impact both your mental and physical health
And much more!
What is online therapy and how does it work?
Online therapy can often be referred to as virtual psychotherapy or teletherapy. In essence, online psychotherapy is the same thing as in-person counseling, it is just a form of therapy that takes place over the internet.
At Anchor Therapy, we offer both video and phone calls if you choose to eliminate in-person appointments as an option. While we do offer phone call therapy appointments to our clients, we highly suggest that the first session, also known as the intake session, be done in-person or through video. We aim to be flexible and accessible for our clients, leveraging technology to support your needs and busy schedule. Whether you are dealing with scheduling issues or travel concerns, attending traditional face-to-face therapy can be challenging, and we understand this concern.
The process of finding an online therapist is not much different than finding an in-person therapist except, now, you get to eliminate a host of concerns, from travel routes to a practitioner’s office location. Once you find a virtual therapist who suits your area of needs, you will go through the intake process.
Our intake process is made seamless as we have intake coordinators who are there with you through each and every step of the scheduling process. The first step of the scheduling process at Anchor Therapy involves you completing the Contact Form on our website. Rest assured that you will receive a response within 24 hours from one of our intake coordinators.
Once we receive your information, we will match you with a therapist on our team who suits your needs. Our intake coordinators take a host of factors into account, including your availability for sessions, your age, your preference for in-person or virtual appointments, whether you want to work with a female or male clinician, and, of course, what you are looking for help with in therapy.
After you schedule your one-hour intake session with your licensed mental health counselor, you will finish out the intake process by completing intake paperwork online. During your intake session with your therapist, you can think of it as a time to share important information about yourself while outlining your needs and goals for counseling. Your New York therapist will guide you through this process, asking questions to learn more about you.
During ongoing online therapy sessions, the format of therapy does not really change. In other words, your therapist will use the same therapeutic skills that he or she uses in in-person counseling sessions.
In new york city online therapy, you can expect to:
Explore your thoughts and feelings:
Mental health counseling is a confidential space where you can openly talk about your emotions and the experiences that have shaped or impacted you in some way or another
Receive support and feedback:
In order to support your progress, your psychotherapist will offer validation, guidance, and professional feedback
Set and work towards your goals:
Together, you and your counselor will set realistic goals and create a plan for you to achieve them
Learn and practice your coping skills:
Learning and applying the new coping techniques that you learn in mental health counseling will improve your mental health and allow you to manage your stress
Reflect and grow:
Self-discovery and personal growth are part of the therapy process and come naturally when you are engaging in reflection and honest dialogue
Statistics have shown that four out of 10 Americans, roughly 38%, use virtual services to meet with a medical or mental health professional.
Your virtual therapist is there to provide support, and give you the guidance and evidence-based interventions you are looking for. Just as they would do in a traditional in-person setting, your psychotherapist is there to tailor their professional approach to your unique set of needs.
Can I see a therapist who is not based in NYC but provides online therapy to New Yorkers?
Yes! Anchor Therapy is located in downtown Hoboken, New Jersey and we offer in-person sessions at this location. However, our team of experienced counselors are also licensed to offer virtual therapy treatment to all residents of New Jersey, New York, and Florida.
Many therapy practices offer services that are accessible across state lines. Regardless of your location, you can receive high quality care from our team of therapists. That way, even if your psychotherapist is based outside of New York City, you can still connect and work with the therapist who best suits your needs.
What technology do I need for online therapy sessions?
At Anchor Therapy, we conduct our online therapy sessions using Google Meet, a secure video platform. One of the most important things for online therapy is having a reliable Internet connection. A stable, high-speed Internet connection will make sure that the video or audio quality of your call does not get interrupted. Having a high speed connection will also ensure that other aspects of the call do not get disrupted by any technical issues.
Whether you are using a computer, smartphone, or tablet, all you need is access to a functioning camera or microphone. Google Meet, the platform used for our video therapy sessions, is extremely user-friendly and offers high-quality audio and video. You could even sync your Google Meet therapy calls onto your online calendar for even smoother planning. It is important to note that Google Meet is a secure, HIPAA-compliant software, meaning that your therapy sessions are protected through heavy security measures. You can rest assured that your personal information is safe.
On your end, you will have to make sure that you choose a suitable environment for sessions. While online therapy can be convenient, it does not mean that you can just hop on a call anywhere. For example, when you are taking the subway to commute to work in the morning, it may not be the best time to schedule a call with your therapist and spill intimate details of your life while the cart is packed with people.
Instead, choose a quiet, private space where you can focus solely on your therapy sessions without interruptions and distractions. Of course, things will naturally come up from time-to-time, such as having childcare issues. In this example, you may have your child popping in and out of your therapy call, but at least you are remaining consistent and taking the time to fill your cup up. Do not forget to celebrate those little wins!
From good lighting to minimizing background noise, there can be little things you can do to improve your online therapy experience.
In order to ensure confidentiality and minimize distractions, there are some steps you can take to create a secure environment for virtual therapy.
Here are some tips to help you set up an optimal environment for your online therapy sessions:
Minimize background noise:
While this may seem challenging in New York City, try to pick a place away from street sounds or noisy appliances. For example, instead of taking a call in front of your window where people are shouting and car horns are honking, move to another room in your apartment. It can also be helpful to use noise-canceling headphones to block out external noise.
Check your technology:
If you are very concerned about experiencing technical issues during your online video call, you can test your internet connection prior to a call. Keeping your devices regularly updated is great as well.
Choose a private location:
Try to select a room where you can be alone and will not be interrupted by other people in your home. Not only does this maintain confidentiality, but it keeps you focused on your virtual psychotherapy session.
Use a lock or sign:
For extra protection, you may want to lock the door of the room you are in while you are on the call with a therapist. If you do not have the option to lock your door, you can make a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign to hand outside the door so other people in your household know that you are on a call.
Create a professional setting:
Keep your area tidy and free of clutter. A clean and organized space will help get your mind in the right frame for therapy, minimizing distractions for both you and your counselor. For example, if you take your therapy call from your child’s playroom where toys are all thrown around, the only thing you may be able to focus on during the call is the mess around you.
At Anchor Therapy, we are committed to offering high-quality online therapy care to residents of New York City. From trying to work through relationship issues to seeking support for anxiety or depression, our experienced therapists are here to help you navigate your respective journey with the highest level of professionalism and compassion.
How Can I Start NYC online counseling at Anchor Therapy?
WORKING WITH anchor therapy IS EASY
Fill out our contact form.
Our intake coordinator within 24 hours to match you with a New York-licensed online counselor on our team who can suit your needs.
Embrace the convenience and flexibility of online therapy!
