Office Vs. Online Sessions: What’s The Difference?
Online sessions deliver the same quality content as in-person sessions. You’ll be connecting with me as your counselor in the same focused way as if you were sitting in front of me in an office. You will be discussing the same issues, resolving the same conflicts, gaining the same insights, and learning the same skills and information that you would in an office visit. In fact you may feel more comfortable doing all this from the familiar surroundings of your home, office, outdoors or in another setting.
Online sessions are also just as confidential as in-office visits. In some ways they can be even more so, because there is no public waiting room or check-in process where you will encounter other people.
I use Zoom for sessions, which is HIPAA-compliant and has end-to-end encryption. It is easily accessible on your computer or you can download the Zoom app for your tablet or phone.
Fitting Counseling Into Your Life
Modern life can be hyper busy and unpredictable, making it a challenge to find room for important commitments like therapy. And yet it’s important to schedule counseling sessions on a consistent basis if you want to see results.
Meeting online allows you to keep up the good work you’re doing in counseling while managing your schedule.
The Unique Advantages of Meeting Online
Here are some of the ways online sessions can help counseling fit into your life:
- You have a sudden or chronic situation that prevents you from leaving home to come to therapy (a sick child, home repair/service appointment, minor injury or illness, etc.).
- You’re stuck in a meeting at work and can’t leave for your appointment early enough to arrive on time.
- Snow and other inclement weather prevents traveling safely to a counseling office.
- You anticipate heavy traffic and dread the long commute to get to therapy.
- You’re at home with a baby or small child and can’t find a babysitter (or your sitter cancels).
- Your partner lives, works or travels out of the area, making it hard to coordinate schedules for a couples appointment.
- You’d like to squeeze in an appointment at lunch time, or do a session between the end of the regular work day and staying late (just close your office door and we’ll connect!)
- You’re feeling exhausted from your long day and would rather head back to the comfort of your home than drive to an appointment.
- You just feel better talking from the familiarity and safety of your home environment or in another informal setting.
Are you ready to start? Please email me at dawnlewis1@gmail.com to schedule a phone consultation.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to State of Maryland licensing regulations for therapists, this service is offered to Maryland residents only.
