Online Therapy Benefits
There are many barriers to finding and using mental health services, including transportation, mobility, and local availability. We offer online therapy because we believe that everyone who needs mental health services should be able to access them. CTC offers access to a full array of online therapy, and makes it possible for many of the people who have previously been left out of the system to now get the help they need.
- Secure Technology – We use secure technology to keep your personal health information private. All telehealth appointments are subject to the same strict HIPAA standards as in-person sessions.
- Effective Treatment – Research shows that online therapy services are as effective as in-person appointments when it comes to treating mental health conditions. Some people find that telehealth is more effective because it makes attending appointments easier.
- Covered by Most Commercial Insurances – Most insurance policies that cover mental and behavioral health services provide coverage for online therapy as well. Our clinicians work with most major insurance providers to ensure you can access the care you need.
Technology Required For An Online Therapy Session
For your appointment, you will need to have access to a private place and a computer/tablet/smartphone with a camera and a secure, reliable, high-speed internet connection. CTC will provide you with access to a secure HIPAA-compliant video conferencing software free of charge. All you have to do is be on your device and logged on at the time of your appointment. We will send you directions on how to login after you set up and confirm your appointment.
CTC ensures the interaction between the patient and clinician is completely private, secure, and HIPAA-compliant. The teleconferencing software encrypts all forms of data, including video and audio.
CTC provides online therapy services to Ontario,CA, and throughout California.
Types of Therapy That We Provide Online:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is well-suited to online delivery. CBT is structured, goal-oriented, and often involves homework assignments, which can be managed via digital platforms.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT):
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is adaptable for online use, particularly individual sessions. Online group sessions are also possible but require careful moderation.
- Psychodynamic Therapy:
- Psychodynamic Therapy sessions can be conducted online, although the effectiveness may vary depending on the individual’s comfort with virtual communication. Online platforms can work well for talk-based exploration of past experiences and unconscious processes.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is effective when delivered online due to its emphasis on mindfulness practices and cognitive exercises, which can be done virtually.
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT):
- Solution Focused Therapy is highly goal-oriented and can be conducted efficiently in an online setting, with a focus on specific, short-term issues and solutions.
- Mindfulness-Based Therapy:
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Therapy (MBSR) can easily be facilitated online, making this form of therapy adaptable to virtual platforms.
- Narrative Therapy:
- Narrative Therapy works well online since it involves the client’s storytelling and reframing of their personal narratives.
- Grief Counseling:
- Grief Counseling Therapy including group sessions can be done online with a focus on emotional support and coping strategies.
- Marriage Counseling/Couples Therapy:
- Couples Therapy online sessions allow couples to attend sessions together from separate locations or from the same place, making this approach flexible and accessible. This includes Gottman Therapy.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy:
- Therapies like Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) can be effectively delivered online, especially when focused on coping strategies, narrative work, and emotional processing.
Types of Therapy That Are Better Conducted In-Person
- Exposure Therapy (for phobias, PTSD, etc.):
- Some forms of Exposure Therapy, particularly those requiring controlled environments (e.g., confronting specific fears or using virtual reality tools), are more effective in person.
- Art Therapy:
- While some forms of creative expression in Art Therapy can be done online, the tactile, sensory engagement of physical art supplies often enhances the experience in an in-person setting.
- Play Therapy (for children):
- Play Therapy requires physical toys, interactive play, and close observation, which is challenging to replicate effectively online.
- Somatic Therapy:
- Somatic Therapy focuses on body awareness, physical sensations, and often involves touch or movement, making in-person delivery more suitable. While somatic therapy can be administered online via telehealth, in-person sessions offer certain advantages. Therapists can guide clients through various somatic techniques, such as breathwork, body awareness exercises, and movement, using video conferencing tools. Although hands-on interventions like bodywork are limited in a virtual setting, therapists can still foster a strong therapeutic alliance, observe non-verbal cues, and support clients in exploring the mind-body connection. The effectiveness of online somatic therapy often depends on the modality used, the client’s comfort with the format, and the therapist’s ability to adapt somatic practices to a virtual environment.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR):
- While some therapists offer EMDR online, it’s typically considered more effective in person because of the need for precise guidance through the visual or tactile stimuli.
- TMS Therapy (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation):
- TMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain and can only be administered in person by a healthcare professional using specialized equipment. TMS therapy, due to the technology and precision required, is among the few interventions that can never be delivered online.
