Telehealth Counseling- Video/Phone Online Therapy for NJ, NY & FL Residents

Teletherapy (Virtual Counseling)

ANCHOR THERAPY PROVIDES MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING THROUGH TELETHERAPY (ONLINE THERAPY) TO NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, and Florida RESIDENTS.

Telehealth psychotherapy allows more people to have access to mental health services than ever before. Whether you feel like in-person sessions work better for you or counseling through telehealth, you can find the type of support that best fits your needs.

What are the benefits of Teletherapy?

Teletherapy (online counseling) sessions are proven to be just as effective as in-person counseling sessions. A lot of our clients find that it is easier to open up while in the comfort of their own home. On the other hand, face-to-face therapy allows you to mention your mental health concerns in a supportive, yet neutral and safe environment. In-person sessions may also require some extra work on your behalf. For example, you may have to carve out extra time in your schedule so you can commute to and from therapy sessions. 

Telemental health counseling provides easy access to mental health support from virtually any location, having numerous flexible options.

At Anchor Therapy, we provide two different Avenues for telehealth (online therapy):

1. Video Sessions: These sessions are done through an easy video platform, Google Meet, that is HIPAA compliant through our business version. It is also free for you to use! All you need is a phone, tablet, or computer with internet or data connection. We will provide you with a link that goes directly to the video chat. Video sessions work the same as in-person sessions. We have a set appointment time in which we meet. Sessions will start and end on time. We are then able to talk and interact just as we would in-person.

2. Phone Sessions: These sessions are a bit different than in-person sessions as we cannot see each other’s body language. We usually recommend having your first intake session with a clinician on video or in-person. You are then welcome to switch to phone sessions whenever you prefer. People have different preferences and some find phone sessions the most comfortable to open up to your provider with.

We welcome you to switch between in-person, video, and phone sessions whenever you desire. We find that all types of sessions are beneficial and we like to provide flexibility so that you can be consistent in your therapy treatment. Whatever the reason is- if you are feeling unwell, it’s a snow day, or you prefer to stay in bed in your pajamas- we are there for you.

Why telehealth?

Your daily routine may be changing, and we highly recommend practicing self-care. Engaging in a self-care routine that works for you has been clinically proven to reduce or eliminate anxiety and depression. In addition, it can reduce stress, improve energy and happiness, minimize anger, and enhance concentration.

It seems like “self-care” is often thrown around now as a buzzword but, the truth is, many people are starting to realize the benefits of taking care of themselves. Taking that kickboxing class or booking that facial is not indulgent. Sometimes, it is necessary. Engaging in self-care should make you feel more happy, less stressed, and fully capable of tackling whatever life may throw at you. Working with a certified telehealth therapist can check all of those boxes for you.

Therapy can directly help with self-care. Whether you need help realizing that self-care is not selfish and you want to get to the root core of why you cannot prioritize yourself or you want to release yourself from something like the “mom guilt” that comes along with doing a simple task for yourself, telehealth counseling may be the answer. 

The truth is that mental health counseling is a big investment in yourself. It should work for you and your schedule without causing any additional headaches. From living in an isolated area or having a difficult time securing childcare, telehealth online therapy can make your life a little easier.

Starting mental health counseling can help you create a new daily routine that will keep you going through all of the change and unknowns happening around you. You may start to feel isolated or an increase in anxiety and we want to support you through this. In times like these, we encourage you to prioritize your mental health and utilize a telehealth therapist for support. 

We already have many clients who use telehealth therapy and find it just as beneficial as in-person. Research supports this as well. All of our clinicians are certified telehealth counselors. 

Can all types of therapy be conducted virtually?

We help individuals and also provide telehealth family therapy and telehealth couples counseling.

• Family therapy telehealth is an amazing way for families to get through hard times together. A primary component of family counseling telehealth is learning communication skills for when those hard times hit. The benefits that come along with family therapy via telehealth can provide families with a new avenue to reconnect and receive therapy in a way that works for each family member. Not all family members can make it to an office in-person at the same time so having the flexibility to join on video for teletherapy is so helpful to many families. There can be multiple different people logging into a video or phone call from all different locations.

• Couples therapy telehealth gives couples the opportunity to meet with a licensed therapist in a flexible way. During couples counseling telehealth, couples will work to resolve relationship challenges and address the overall health of their relationship through a secure virtual network. Telehealth couples therapy offers more flexible and accessible options for when to meet and it has become a preferred form of treatment for couples. It is important that you and your partner are on the same page when it comes to the best platform to receive treatment. For instance, one partner may prefer in-person sessions while the other favors telemedicine couples therapy. It is important that you and your partner feel comfortable with the method of treatment you both chose so you can each feel like you are getting the most out of your sessions. 

What about children and teens?

For children, it is also possible to hold productive telehealth sessions. If your child is a client, we recommend having a parenting session with us to discuss if teletherapy is the best fit for your child. We typically recommend children 6 years old and younger come in for in-person sessions. We also provide parenting sessions outside of your child’s sessions so that we can see that what is learned in therapy is continued at home. We are also here to help you with any concerns you have as a parent in general during this difficult time.  We are here to support your family in any way we can. 

Telehealth counseling may allow your child to open up since they are comfortable in their own home versus an unfamiliar office. To ensure that your child gets the most out of teletherapy, it is best to explain the virtual therapy process to your child, especially if they are on the younger side. 

You can explain to your child how therapy works and answer any questions that they might have. It is okay to not know all of the answers as well. If there is anything you need assistance with, our team of therapists are available to help. 

Another step you can take to set your child up for success with telehealth psychotherapy is making sure that your child has a private space with little to no distractions. While a child can become easily distracted by many things, removing toys and games can be a great step in keeping your child engaged in therapy throughout the whole session. It’s also important that no friends or family members are in the same room while they have their therapy session.

Children and teens are already using FaceTime to talk to friends or family members, so they are comfortable with the video method of communication. Given their comfort levels, we have found that they have no issues with the telehealth platform. Telehealth therapy with teens can particularly be helpful since many teenagers are involved in a high-speed, technology-focused world. In other words, telehealth counseling may feel more comfortable for them versus in-person counseling. We recommend trying it out so that we can provide support.

Telehealth for psychotherapy can even be used in specific instances to better suit your schedule. For example, if you are traveling out of town, but still want to continue your regular therapy sessions, we can continue through telehealth sessions. This allows you to continue to get help without stopping your life. You can still travel for work or with your family and friends while receiving the support that you need.

Tips For Teletherapy

 Just as you would for in-person sessions, we recommend that you be intentional and carve out time for online therapy. You should not treat it like a Facetime call you can get to sometime in your day. It is an appointment- a chance to improve yourself and work on the specific issues you are seeking help for.

While you can do teletherapy anytime and anywhere, you should still create a safe space for your sessions. Counseling sessions are confidential and it should remain that way even in a virtual setting. Distractions are never great when you are trying to be productive, and therapy requires your undivided attention to create change. 

Given the emotional aspect of counseling, it is highly recommended that you give yourself space and time to fully engage with the therapeutic process. 

When using telehealth, we recommend using headphones and finding a space alone to talk. This may look like a bedroom, bathroom with the door closed or in your car. Wherever it is, make sure that you feel comfortable to openly talk.

If you live in tight quarters with someone, try asking them to go for a walk or put on headphones and listen to music or a podcast while you are in teletherapy. If this is not possible, we also recommend downloading a white noise App or pulling up white noise on YouTube and putting it by your door. You may need to get creative if you have multiple family members staying at home! No matter what you decide to do, remember that you are taking the necessary steps towards healing and self-improvement by doing sessions in a setting that feels safe for you.

Another crucial thing to remember is that awkwardness rears its head from time-to-time! Do not be alarmed if you feel like you and your therapist are not immediately “in-sync” within the first session. No matter what platform you choose, therapy can have its awkward moments. But remember, growth occurs outside of your comfort zone!

It can be alluring to think that feeling discomfort during a session means that telehealth psychotherapy is not working for you. However, if you keep your line of communication open with your telehealth therapist, you will be pleasantly surprised with the improvements you will begin to make.

Lastly, learn to love the unique aspects of Telemedicine counseling. There are some things you can do in virtual sessions that you would not be able to do in traditional in-person counseling. For example, you may have a dog or cat who feels like an emotional support pet to you. During a teletherapy session, you can show your telemental health therapist your animal, your fuzzy companion may be hanging out in the background, or they may be supporting you in your lap as you pet them.

Online counseling is accessible in a different way, so there are unique things you can do to integrate it into your daily life. Getting creative with these tools is important so you can make the online therapy process more engaging for you.

We understand your daily schedule and routine may be all over the place. This can especially be the case if you work in a specific profession, such as the medical field. Therefore, we will be very flexible to work with you in finding an appointment time that fits your schedule. We can also change appointment times week to week if needed. We ask that you give us a 24 hour notice if you want to reschedule or cancel a scheduled appointment.

We offer in-person sessions as well as telehealth sessions. Clients always have an option whether they prefer to have sessions in-person, online, or a mix based on their schedule or preference. In-person sessions are not required.

Not only is teletherapy just as effective as in-person sessions, but telehealth mental health therapy has higher retention rates. In some cases, reports even show that telehealth behavioral therapy is more effective than traditional face-to-face counseling. 

How can I get started?

WORKING WITH US IS EASY

1. If you are interested in receiving Telehealth counseling from one of our counselors here at Anchor Therapy, please fill out the form below. Please be sure to include all of your availability for session times and what you are seeking help with in therapy. 

2. Our intake coordinator will get back to you with more information on how we can help and to schedule an appointment. We will set you up with an experienced licensed therapist who specializes in what you're seeking help with and who understands your needs.

3. You’ll rest easy tonight knowing you made the first step to improve your life. 

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