Online Counseling Texas
Takeaway: With online counseling services in Texas, you can get convenient and confidential therapy sessions from a licensed professional statewide. Together, you can learn how to manage your anxiety and live a happier life. Get the support you need from the comfort of your own home today.
So you've heard some rumblings about online therapy services from strangers, friends, and family. Post-pandemic, it seems online therapy has become the new norm and so many people are learning what it's all about, you included! Let's start with the basics: What is online therapy? Online therapy is a form of therapy that is conducted remotely through digital communication platforms, such as video conferencing and even messaging apps. It allows individuals to receive therapy services from the comfort of their own homes or any location with internet access. It offers many benefits, including how accessible, convenient, and flexible it is. In addition, it provides a layer of privacy and anonymity that many people desire when it comes to psychotherapy. There are diverse therapy options, such as individual therapy, couples therapy, and specialized therapies for specific mental health concerns.
There are so many curious questions surrounding Texas online therapy, such as how much it costs, who may be a good fit for it, and also who should consider avoiding it. I'll be covering this and more, including the benefits of online therapy, how it can help, and a little bit about myself and my approach and method for online counseling. With this, I hope to provide you with a more realistic and optimistic view of how online counseling in Texas can be a great thing for your mental health.
Does this sound like you?
It takes courage to decide to start therapy to improve your mental and emotional well-being. Maybe you've been experiencing some emotional distress, burnout, or a big life transition. Perhaps there's a relationship you've been struggling with, a traumatic experience that has left you feeling uneasy, or your self-worth has been impacted and you've been feeling inadequate or lacking confidence. These and many mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression, can take a pretty heavy toll on your day to day functioning.
Rest assured you are not alone in these sentiments. An online counseling session can be a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals and couples to explore these and many other life challenges where you can gain deeply valuable insight about yourself that perhaps was unknown to you in the past!
Online counseling in Texas can help.
In the past 3 years the world has experienced a vast amount of change, and mental health services was no exception. Time did not stop and, therefore, therapy was in more demand than ever. Although online counseling services have been around for decades, its popularity grew in a time of need and limited accessibility.
Virtual therapy, also known as online counseling or teletherapy, is like what you might already know about traditional therapy, but through digital technology, like your laptop, tablet, or phone. It can occur in many ways- video calls, phone calls, messaging, or email.
Virtual therapy offers a lot of benefits, including its convenience, privacy, accessibility, and anonymity, just to name a few. Although in-person therapy sessions continue to be a much needed service, for many, this can create barriers that prevented them from starting therapy at all. I, myself, can recall the days of waiting for my mother to get home from work to take me to my therapy session in the thick of traffic hour! Might I say, it was exhausting, to say the least. These days, it's great knowing that you don't have to worry about driving in the bustling traffic crunched for time and worried about crossing paths with familiar faces (my 19 year old self would certainly agree)!
Convenience and flexibility
Along with the benefits of accessibility is how convenient and flexible online sessions can be. Finding time to schedule appointments for in-person sessions when time is limited can be quite the task. For those with a busy or strict schedule, a 20-45 minute roundtrip to an office can put quite the dent on your schedule. You may find yourself rushing around, and this may even cause more stress on your body.
Consistent care
Rain or shine, online counseling sessions have a high likelihood of providing you with the consistent care that online therapists like myself know is so crucial to therapy treatment. Life interruptions happen and it's hard to control that. Online counseling services often are the perfect solution to crumby weather conditions (with electricity, we hope), car troubles, various emergencies, and pandemics, it turns out! Knowing that there are less barriers to consistently showing up for your online counseling sessions is also a great way to keep you accountable.
Benefits of online therapy
An online counseling session can provide an effective and convenient alternative that provides the same amazing benefits of traditional in-person sessions. Although it may not be the right fit for everyone, it's worth knowing what this option has to offer.
Accessibility
Knowing that your therapy session can be accessed and held in the comfort of your own home or, let's be honest, your car even, is deeply satisfying and relieving. The factor of accessibility is a huge benefit to those who often worry about having to travel long distances from their home or job. It's an added layer of responsibility, and doing that, when the choice is given, can be reduced in this way.
Privacy
Deciding to start therapy can be hard enough. Although mental health professionals work hard to reduce the presence of stigmas in their therapeutic spaces, it's understandable that individuals may still feel hesitant about being physically present in an office and feeling "at risk" of others knowing their personal business. Knowing that there is a level of privacy with online counseling services that is on your terms and in your space can help create a feeling of safety that might otherwise not be possible with in-person sessions.
More access to therapists
Past are the days of struggling to find a therapist in your neighborhood, city, or metro even. Choosing to do online counseling means you have a statewide pool of therapists to choose from! In this day and age, we are seeing that mental health has slowly come to the forefront, and that means that demand for mental health services is greater than ever. Today, therapists are excited to have the opportunity to work with clients across the state(s) in which they're licensed. Beyond that, people now have greater access to therapists with specialized training that may not be available in certain areas.
Meet Alissa Martinez, Texas licensed professional counselor
As a licensed therapist, I have spent a significant amount of time learning about people, their relationships with others, and how this impacts our development. Through my own personal and professional experiences, that of which includes nonprofit work with children and adults in some of the most difficult periods of their life, I have built a plethora of knowledge around understanding human needs. With this insight, it has informed the way in which I share compassion and understanding in therapy sessions with my clients. My specialization in anxiety, self-esteem, and relationships has developed from a collection of professional experiences that helped grow this passion into meaningful changes in the people I work with.
My ability to offer online therapy stems from my belief that mental health issues can be addressed in a meaningful way when there is care and intention in the process, regardless of the platform. It's satisfying to know that my reach is greater and that with the conveniences of online therapy, I can still support individuals and couples in both their busiest and most difficult times of need.
5 ONline counselors in Texas ready for hIre
Not sure if I’m the right fit for you? Schedule a free consultation or get in touch with one of my colleagues.
1. Carly Boeselt, MA, LPC
Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor, EMDR certified
Clientele: Adults, Couples, Families
Location:
3625 Menchaca Rd Suite 202 Austin, TX 78704
Virtual therapy?: Yes
2. Taylor jones, MA, lpc
Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor
Clientele: Adults, Teens (13+)
Location: Virtual only
Virtual therapy?: Yes
3. Samantha Weakley, LCSW
Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, EMDR trained
Clientele: Adults, Teens, Families
Location: Virtual only
Virtual therapy?: Yes
4. Jennifer Garibay, lPC
Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor, NCC (Board Certified)
Clientele: Adults
Location: 14526 Jones Maltsberger Rd Suite 209, San Antonio, TX 78247
Virtual therapy?: Yes
5. Lisa Cantu, LPC
Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor
Clientele: Adults, Couples, Children
Location: 21727 Interstate 10 Suite 106, San Antonio, TX 78257
Virtual therapy?: Yes
My approach to online therapy in Texas
One of the best parts about my work as a licensed therapist who offers video counseling is that I can choose how to approach therapy with my clients. I am very intentional about how I make space and open the door for in-depth reflection and growth, which provides individuals and couples with a greater sense of appreciation for their whole selves. Therapy does not have a "one size fits all" approach. Therefore, I instead focus on taking an integrative approach that allows me to combine a few therapeutic modalities that will fit my clients' individual needs. Integration takes into consideration that an individual or couple may be dealing with a variety of issues. This means that each of these challenges require unique care that don't have to be treated the same.
The idea of meeting with someone virtually on a regular basis, let alone deciding to start therapy, can provide a mix of feelings. That's why it truly matters to me that I make the experience one that is purposeful. I encompass the things I value most in the therapy space: communication, empowerment, and collaboration. Approaching therapy with these things in mind allows for us to build a therapeutic alliance that is comprised of safety, understanding, and sometimes even humor!
Methods I use in online counseling
The landscape of online counseling has vastly evolved, so much so that mental health professionals are able to effectively deliver evidence-based treatment online just the same. The strategies employed within these modalities allow for individuals and couples to build rapport, foster trust, and create a secure therapeutic alliance in a virtual environment. Here are the methods I enjoy utilizing most in my online counseling work.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT focuses on the relationship between a person's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It aims to identify and challenge the negative thought patterns many of us have that often go unnoticed. Instead of allowing these negative thought patterns to continue to exist, the therapist will assist in developing healthier coping strategies to help restructure the way you think.
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Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT)
RCT emphasizes how important we know relationships to be, and their role in shaping a person's sense of self and well-being. RCT takes into consideration how important and impactful, both positive and negative, social connection is. This modality also addresses issues related to power dynamics, the cultural influences in our lives, and relational patterns. In doing so, it opens the door to recognizing any existing challenges and makes room for fostering growth and healing in these areas.
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Attachment-Based Therapy
Attachment-Based Therapy explores early attachment relationships, which we know play a significant role in our development at all stages of life. It helps to determine the type of attachment that was developed early on and how this shows up in various parts of the self. In doing so, attachment-based therapy aims to enhance the bond between individuals. It especially focuses on the childhood experiences to promote more secure attachments and healthier relational patterns where perhaps disruption previously occurred.
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Gottman Method
The Gottman Method is an evidence-based approach to couples therapy that focuses on strengthening relationships. It targets the enhancement of friendship, managing conflict, and building shared meaning. The Gottman Method offers practical interventions and strategies that are not only beneficial for couples, but also individuals looking to make their own improvements on how they approach and impact a variety of relationships in their lives.
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Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
EFT is primarily used in couples therapy. However, it can be in individual therapy as well. It helps couples identify the presence of negative emotional cycles that have impacted the relationship. Through restructuring, EFT helps promote understanding, empathy, emotional responsiveness, and secure emotional connections in the relationship.
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Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is mindfulness-based and encourages individuals to accept their thoughts and feelings rather than avoiding or suppressing them. In doing so, it helps individuals align their actions with their values and commit to behavioral changes that enhance psychological flexibility and well-being.
Who my online therapy sessions are for
FAQs about online counseling in Texas
Knowing what to expect from Texas online counseling is important. Remaining curious about the process can help you keep an open mind about this accessible and flexible form of therapy. I'll provide answers to help you understand the ins and outs of this increasingly popular form of therapy.
If you have any other lingering questions, don't hesitate to contact me. I'm more than happy to shed more light on the process and experience.
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Online therapy sessions can range anywhere from $50-$250 (or more) per session. You might be thinking, "Well, that's quite a range." That's because there are various factors that contribute to the cost of online therapy sessions. For example, if you have insurance coverage, your insurance may cover some or all of the cost of your sessions, depending on what kind of plan you have. Another factor is whether your online therapist offers sliding scale or reduced fees, which can also be found at nonprofit organizations or community mental health centers.
It's also worth considering other ways in which doing therapy online can be more cost effective, such as cutting out the commute expense that occurs with in-person therapy. With video counseling you don't have to worry about traveling far and wide to get the quality service you need. Avoiding a commute can also save you time, and saving you time can allow you to redirect your time where it's most valuable. In addition, choosing to do online counseling means you have access to a large pool of therapists across the state where perhaps they may offer a more affordable session rate.
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If you believe you are struggling with a severe mental health condition like psychosis or severe depression, online counseling may not be for you. In some situations, more intensive in-person treatment or a higher level of care may be preferred by professionals. If you're in a crisis or experiencing emergencies, online therapy may also not be right for you. More immediate intervention or local emergency services may be necessary to stabilize the situation. Lack of privacy and confidentiality can also present challenges when doing online therapy. Confidentiality is crucial in therapy, and if you don't feel free to speak openly, your progress could be stunted. In this case, you may do better with in-person therapy. Lastly, if there is difficulty with access to internet connection, stable internet, or limited technology literacy, online counseling may not be feasible. Although periodical small interruptions can occur for anyone, frequent issues of this sort can make online counseling underwhelming.
If you're feeling unsure about whether your situation is right for online counseling, don't be afraid to ask! I'm happy to provide more insight so that you are as educated as possible on how to approach your unique situation.
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The therapy process begins with the initial intake where we discuss relevant background and history to get a better idea of who you are, any indicators to your current struggles, and potential goals. We'll also discuss technological considerations like confidentiality and security, boundaries and ethical considerations related to online services, and communication through technology. After this, based on your intake information, a treatment plan is developed collaboratively. Regular therapy sessions then take place at a frequency that works for you and your goals. We'll address any current and past struggles and some positive highlights, as well. Throughout the process, I'll utilize various techniques and interventions through our conversations together and monitor progress regularly. Once you have made your desired progress, termination and follow-up occur to reflect on progress made and plan for ongoing support as needed.
Each person's experience with therapy is unique. Therefore, outcomes and experiences can differ from person to person. Therapy should feel collaborative and designed to address the needs you and the therapist have in mind for your well-being.
Embrace your whole self with the help of online counseling in Texas.
As a licensed therapist offering online counseling, I enjoy personalizing therapy sessions for your needs. I prioritize creating a space for deep reflection and personal growth that enables individuals and couples to appreciate their entire being. I know well that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and that's why I employ an integrative approach, combining various therapeutic modalities tailored to the unique needs of each client. Starting virtual therapy sessions can evoke mixed emotions. That's why I strive to make the experience purposeful by incorporating the values I hold dear in the therapeutic space: communication, empowerment, and collaboration. By embracing these principles, we can establish a therapeutic alliance characterized by safety, understanding, and sometimes even humor.
Take the first step towards healing and growth and reach out for a free consultation for online therapy. Together, we can create a safe and supportive space that leads you to embarking on your transformative journey!