Blog Layout

14 Awesome Things about Counseling via Telehealth

Bryan R. Wisdom, MDiv, MA, LLMFT

Have you considered whether counseling via telehealth is a good option for you?


Advances in modern technology have made telehealth more available and affordable than ever before. Telehealth videoconference platforms are both secure and HIPAA compliant, meaning you’ll get the same level of privacy and confidentiality you would receive from an in-person counseling session, and all your personal health information is secure too. Of course, I’m assuming you’re not going connect to the session from a coffeeshop.


There are a few reasons why an in-person session could be best, like counseling for young children or some specific family counseling situations, but overall, you can get the help and support you need through counseling via telehealth.


Here’s my top 14 awesome things about counseling via telehealth. Take a look and consider if it might be a good (or better) option for your needs.

 

1. Convenience & Flexibility

In general, you will find that choosing counseling via telehealth over in-person will offer you more convenience and flexibility. Read on and I’ll explain what I mean.  


2. There’s No Place Like Home

Ah!... the comfort of your own space. There’s nothing like it. Not having to leave your house to make a counseling appointment is fantastic. And not just for agoraphobia. Being in your own home for session can reduce your anxiety. Want to sit in your bed? Do it. Pet your dog? Fine by me!


3. Bye-Bye Commute

Speaking of anxiety, I hate the feeling of rushing to get somewhere and fear of running late. How about you? With a telehealth appointment, you’re less likely to be running late for the session. No traffic = no stress. And if you’re taking time off from your workday, you could connect from your car, so you aren’t risking being late getting back to work. Added bonus: you can save money on gas, parking, and/or public transportation.


4. Better First Session

Telehealth could improve the experience of your first session, especially if it’s your first-time doing therapy. First sessions can be disorienting. With telehealth you don’t need to look up the therapy office on Google Maps, then calculate when you need to leave, then drive around looking for parking, then find the physical office, then wait in the waiting room, and then try to get comfortable in the room when its finally your turn. Why not cut that whole unnecessary part out?


5. Germ-Free

Whether you’re concerned about Covid-19, Flu season, or you’re an amateur germaphobe, connecting from your own space means less exposure to potential illness. This is can be especially important for elders and immunocompromised persons. And if, (perish the thought!) the government ever issues another stay-at-home order, you’re already prepared.


6. Lunch Break Counseling

If you work full-time 40, 50, 60+ hours a week, scheduling counseling appointments can be difficult. Many therapists offer evening and weekend appointments, but they’re coveted and often full. With telehealth, there’s no reason you have to wait until after work (or even take off time from work). If you have an hour lunch break, you have time for an appointment.


7. Separate, But Together

Who said you can’t be in two places at once? We can be in three places at once, at least for couples counseling via telehealth we can. Couples can access from two different locations. Is one spouse on the road a lot? Or flies out more than 50x a year? Maybe one of you works in a different town during the week, staying at a hotel or apartment, and only is home on the weekend. Or maybe you’re on a trial separation but still trying to make the marriage work. Try telehealth couples counseling with a Restore therapist.


8. Therapy-on-Wheels

When your counseling appointments are all telehealth, the therapy room moves with you! So go on, travel for work, travel for vacation, travel to your heart’s content, you can still make your sessions. Also, if you happen to move towns (within the same state), you won’t have to change therapists.


9. No Childcare? No Problem!

Many of us care for children or a senior adult during the day. Daycare can be expensive. Bringing them along to your appointment is both stressful and impractical. Telehealth appointments enable you to take care of yourself and them at the same time.


10. Family Pop-ins

Many clients find value in having a family member attend their session for a particular purpose. They aren’t interested in ongoing family therapy, but it can be helpful to have a family member—spouse, parent, child, or sibling—“pop-in” for one session or a part of a session. If the family member you want to come is unsure about therapy in general, asking them something like, “Hey, I have an appointment with my therapist next Tuesday at 10am on my computer; would you mind swinging by my place and joining us for 15 minutes?” can be way less intimidating. Or you might find yourself in the middle of a session and say, “You know, I think it would be helpful to have my wife’s perspective on this, can she join us for a sec?”


11. Screenshare

If I think of something that might help a telehealth client (an article, a book, an image, a diagram) while we’re in session, I can immediately look it up and show them by using screenshare. Otherwise, I’d have to make a note to myself, and either send it to them or bring it to the next session. Similarly, a client can show their homework, or a journal entry, or a photo, without having to remember to bring it with them.


12. Less No-Shows

It’s just easier to make it to a telehealth counseling appointment. So that cuts down on “no-shows”. “No-shows” are when a client has a scheduled appointment but doesn’t show up for the appointment and hasn’t contacted their therapist ahead of time. No-shows are bad for everyone. A no-show is bad for you because 1) inconsistent work yields inconsistent results, and 2) you most likely will be charged a fee. No-shows are also bad for therapists (it makes them grumpy sometimes) and for their other clients, because there’s no time to offer the therapy hour to another client.


13. Save Green

By “green” I mean good ole’ cash money! Did you know some insurance plans only cover part of the fee for an in-person appointment, but 100% for a telehealth appointment? I’m serious. You should check with your insurance.


14. Increased Access

Expanding telehealth helps clients everywhere. Clients who live in rural areas don’t have to drive to a big city. Clients who are wanting to see a specialist also don’t have to drive a long way. There’s always been underserved geographical areas in mental health, but since the beginning of 2020 it seems like there’s a shortage of therapists everywhere. Primarily this is because the number of people seeking counseling is at an all-time high. Choosing telehealth saves time for everyone, and when you choose telehealth, you choose to help increase access for others in need as telehealth can solve accessibility issues beyond long drives. Clients with physical disabilities or mobility concerns may benefit as well.

 



Ready to get started working on your mental, emotional, or relational wellness via telehealth? We’re ready too. Contact us at 616-228-9244 or through our secure contact form to get scheduled with a Restore therapist today!




 

Bryan R. Wisdom, MDiv, MA, LLMFT is a therapist with Restore Therapy Collective (100% telehealth), and has been involved in helping work for 19+ years. His personal mission is the help others live authentically, make better decisions, develop healthier relationships, and adventure beyond impossible. He loves his wife and kids, counseling, learning, comedy, strategy board games, travel, and outdoor adventures.

 

 

Restore Therapy Collective

Ways to Silence Imposter Syndrome

By Rachel Schelhaas, LMSW • 28 Apr, 2024
When I first started as a therapist I struggled to find my footing and feel secure in my new profession. I didn’t realize it right away but it turns out I was going through something that almost everyone does at some point in their life: Imposter Syndrome. A person feeling imposter syndrome will typically experience self-doubt or insecurity in their abilities brought on by transitioning into a new role. In a person’s internal narrative, this might sound like thoughts such as: ● “Am I really good at this?” ● “Is this really where I belong?” ● “Am I doing this right?” ● “Am I making a difference?” This type of thinking arises for many people. At times it may cause anxiety that can lead to unhelpful behaviors. Let’s take some time to run through the most common negative reactions and positive alternatives to manage these anxieties. Putting Up Defenses Defensiveness is a normal reaction given the fact that you’ve likely worked really hard to get where you are. It’s crazy how a simple question like, ”how old are you?”, can set this into motion. Defending does not typically allow for growth, it’s often a band aid on insecurity. Antidote: Be Honest with Yourself and Others Despite the urge to defend I would encourage you to welcome the questions and validate the concern behind them. I’ve learned through experience that others care less about what you’ve done and more about whether you’re willing to acknowledge an age gap or be honest when put on the spot. One of my newer go to responses is “It makes sense that you’d ask that question. I want to ensure you feel secure in our work together and although I can’t promise that, I’m hopeful that that might be something that would come with time”. I can try to defend my schooling, talent, and list the training I’ve been to but I’d recommend when the urge to defend shows up, set it to the side to acknowledge the feeling that might be behind the question being asked. Feeling Lost There are often moments with imposter syndrome where our mind questions our abilities and instincts. This can lead to uncertainty with direction and wavering with decision making. With anything new in life a lack of clarity can occur. Feeling directionless can often leave us playing it too safe or unsure of what our next move should be. Antidote: Mentorship In moments when you are really struggling with feeling like you are fumbling through I would encourage you to seek out mentorship. Find someone who has been in the role you are currently in for a long time. You will likely be pleased to discover they once went through exactly what you are experiencing now. These connections not only make you feel less alone but can be valuable opportunities to learn and bond with people around you. Insecurity At times we can struggle with our confidence when in a new role. This can look like self-doubt or second guessing. This can be an internal battle but it is often visible to those we interact with within our new role. Despite urges to keep this feeling internal there can be useful ways to express what’s going on to be able to move forward. Antidote: Seek Candid Feedback One of the ways to know how you’re doing and learn from mistakes is to ask for feedback. This was a mistake I made in the first few months of being a therapist. I thought that at times asking for input made me look like I lacked confidence. In reality getting client’s feedback and input has made me feel more secure in being able to meet needs and tailor what I do to be more beneficial. I encourage you to ask for feedback even when it’s uncomfortable and look to others for input and run with it to make small changes day by day. Over the course of time this can make a big difference in gaining confidence and feeling secure. Some people like to use the phrase “fake it til you make it”. When imposter syndrome shows up anxiety or at times panic are normal reactions and responses that most people experience, you don’t have to hide this or fake confidence. Instead of allowing these feelings to manifest as unhelpful behaviors, be honest about where you’re at, seek out support, and elicit feedback that will help you make changes along the way. Rachel Schelhaas, LMSW is a therapist at Restore Therapy Collective. Rachel enjoys working with clients to increase their insight and understanding of themselves in order to bring their best self to the relationships that matter most. In her spare time you can catch Rachel going for long walks, cooking a tasty meal, reading an audio book, or searching for unique finds at the thrift store.

The Power of a Word

By Jen Hutchings, PhD, LMFT • 03 Aug, 2023
I can’t set a boundary with my mom. I can’t run a 5K. I can’t go to the grocery store alone. These are examples of typical statements we say to ourselves, likely even several times a day. Even though the content can vary depending on the person, the end result is the same. The typical statements above, if said often enough contribute to even more negative self-thoughts. These negative thoughts can make us feel stuck if left unchecked. Negative thoughts prevent us from seeing new possibilities in our life and get in the way of making changes. One of the things that can help us get unstuck is to change our mindset by changing the words we say to ourselves. Since we’re the person we spend the most time with, it is important to speak to ourselves the same way we would want others to speak to us. To foster a change in these thoughts, it needs to be habitual, consistent, and reliable self-talk. This may be difficult at first as we tend to ignore how limiting and impactful our negative thoughts can be. Sometimes one small change in the words we say to ourselves can open our minds to the possibility that the way we speak to ourselves has a large impact on the way we feel. This impact can even help us define our goals more clearly and create a clearer image of who we really are or strive to be. Sometimes our goals are specific: I want to run a 5K for the Halloween Fun Run. Sometimes they start broader: I want to increase my self-esteem. I’ve found that often before we even start to act on the goals and develop a plan, we need to tackle the obstacles, in this case, the negative phrases that we tell ourselves, each day such as: I’m not a good guitar player. I’m not a good conversationalist. I’ve never had a good relationship. My challenge for you is to open your mind to the possibility that the words we say impact the way we grow and change. The first step is to convince your brain to open the door to these foreign words that can strengthen our confidence to change. When I work with clients, sometimes they will voice self-limiting phrases that they believe to be 100% true At the end of their statement, I’ll pause, and gently add the word, ‘yet’. They often smile and recognize that the stuck feeling they feel ends as soon as see the choice between ‘never’ and ‘yet’. That even though things feel overwhelming and impossible now, there is a potential that things could be different, maybe even better down the road. Here's my trick and your challenge. Add the word YET at the end of your negative thought: I can’t set a boundary with my mom. YET. I can’t run a 5K. YET. I can’t go to the grocery store alone. YET. I’m not a good guitar player. YET. I’m not a good conversationalist. YET. I’ve never had a good relationship. YET. Does that feel different? This small change gives your brain the message that another option is possible, and it has the potential for big change. That you can experience a different outcome by changing or adding a word. That you aren’t stuck in always being the same, forever. Once your brain believes that a different thought is even possible, you can start to explore new options and how you’re going to get there. It is a kinder, more compassionate, more patient way of gently reminding yourself that growth is possible every day. Then you’ll be able to catch yourself more regularly, changing your negative thoughts to more hopeful and compassionate ones. What thought are you going to add the word ‘yet’ to? Your homework for the week is to catch yourself thinking a negative self-thought. Then add the word ‘yet’ and see what happens. This small change is the minimum amount that you deserve. You are worth making this change and adding more self-kindness into your life. It’s a small change that will add up to big possibilities. Now get started on loving yourself the way you would love others.  Jen Hutchings, Ph.D, LMFT is a Therapist and Clinical Supervisor at Restore Therapy Collective. Jen started Restore as as way to help clients heal and grow through struggles in their life by connecting them with excellent, caring therapists. In her free time, Jen hangs out with with family and friends, snuggles her pets, and is always on the search for the perfect cup of tea.

Tracking Your Mood

By Samantha Strachan, MA, LLMFT • 08 May, 2023
Tracking your mood can have many positive benefits for your mental health and overall well-being. Here are some reasons why you might consider starting a mood tracking practice: 1. Increased self-awareness: Tracking your mood can help you become more aware of your emotions and how they change over time. This can help you identify patterns and triggers that affect your mood, allowing you to take proactive steps to manage your emotions. 2. Improved mental health: Mood tracking can help you identify when you are feeling down or anxious, allowing you to take action to improve your mental health. It can also help you recognize when you are feeling good, which can boost your mood and increase your motivation to continue healthy habits. 3. Better communication: Sharing your mood tracking data with a therapist, family member, or friend can help you better communicate your emotions and needs. This can lead to improved relationships and a greater sense of support. 4. Increased accountability: When you track your mood, you are holding yourself accountable for your emotional well-being. This can help you stay motivated to engage in healthy behaviors such as exercise, meditation, or therapy. 5. Improved decision-making: Tracking your mood can help you make better decisions based on how you are feeling. For example, if you are feeling stressed, you may choose to take a break or engage in a stress-reducing activity instead of pushing through and potentially worsening your mood. Some of our favorite mood tracking apps include: How We Feel , Moodfit , and Daylio . If you prefer a good old fashioned pen and paper approach, daily planners and calendars c an be perfect tools for tracking your mood! Overall, tracking your mood can have many positive benefits for your mental health and well-being. It is a simple and effective way to become more self-aware, manage your emotions, and improve your overall quality of life. Samantha Stratchan, MA, LLMFT is a 100% telehealth therapist at Restore. Call 616-228-9244 or submit a secure contact form to schedule your intake today!
Show More
Share by: