ONLINE THERAPY - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Online Therapy? BACK TO TOP
Online therapy, also known as distance therapy, is the delivery of mental health counseling via the Internet. A variety of technology mediums are used such as video or voice conferencing, email, online chat or phone. Online therapy can occur in real time such as when using video conferencing or online chat or in a time delayed format such as e-mail messages. At this time, I am offering E-therapy (e-mails exchanged between client and therapist in delayed time) as the online service I provide. Please let me know if you have interest in any other types of online or distance therapy.
Although online therapy has gained popularity in recent years, it has been around for some time. As cited by Derrig-Palumbo, PhD, (Family Therapy Magazine, May/June 2009), Online therapy “has been practiced since the earliest days of the public Internet-even earlier if you consider experimental uses. Interestingly, one of the first demonstrations of the Internet at U.C. Berkley was a simulated chat therapy session. Also noteworthy, Dr. Albert Ellis, founder of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, used online therapy from the early days of the Internet to meet with clients who sought him from all over the world”.
Is Online Therapy Right for me? BACK TO TOP
Are you feeling anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed? Do you have stress in your personal or professional life and struggle to know where to turn? Are you needing help with a relationship or loved on? Maybe you have one question or a series of questions. Maybe you have one issue or multiple issues you would like to address or improve in your life. With the exception of crisis situations, online therapy is appropriate for most issues addressed in traditional therapy. However, in order for our communication to be effective, you need to have basic knowledge of the technology required for the type of online therapy you are requesting. A web browser and Internet connection are sufficient for e-therapy. See my “Getting Started” page.
What are the Likely Benefits of Online Therapy? BACK TO TOP
Online therapy provides access to mental health services in situations where an in-office visit is not feasible or likely. In rural states, such as my home state of Iowa, access to mental health providers is often limited. Online therapy provides people the means to access the care they need easily and often times less expensively then more traditional care. (Considering lengthily travel time, the loss of work time and travel costs). Additional situations in which online therapy can be helpful includes but is not limited to military personnel and their families, people who are unable to travel to an in-office session due to illness, disability or other limiting factors such as living a hectic lifestyle and time constraints. Embarrassment and shame-based feelings may also indicate online therapy is a preferred mode of treatment for some individuals. Further, because of the vast increase in the use of technology in everyday life, teenagers and young adults may feel more comfortable with online therapy then more traditional forms.
Does Online Therapy Work? BACK TO TOP
The majority of research thus far shows that online therapy is indeed as effective as traditional face-to-face therapy. Please feel free to review the following studies.
Study: Psychotherapy Can Boost Happiness More Than Money | US News & World Report | November 18, 2009
"Researchers analyzed data on thousands of people who provided information about their mental well-being and found that the increase in happiness from a $1,329 course of therapy was so significant that it would take a pay raise of more than $41,542 to achieve an equal boost in well-being."
Online therapy beneficial in treating mental health problems | University of New South Wales | September 2009
"In findings that could revolutionize the way psychologists treat their patients, researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and St Vincent’s Hospital have shown online treatments are just as effective as face-to-face therapies for a wide range of common mental disorders.
Anxiety, social phobias and depression are all conditions that respond well to clinician-supported internet-based treatments, the researchers found, with program participants recording recovery rates comparable to those in face-to-face therapy."
Online behavioral therapy found effective in depression | ModernMedicine.com | August 2009 |
Researchers from the University of Bristol compared the effectiveness of 10 online sessions with a Therapist to normal treatment by a General Practitioner and found that "42 percent with online therapy recovered from depression versus 26 percent with usual care."
Therapy online: Good as face to face? | CNN | Mon August 31, 2009
Internet-based PTSD therapy may help overcome barriers to care | National Institute of Mental Health | November 1, 2007
The web: online psychotherapy effective | PhysOrg.com | November 2005
Email therapy effective for treating eating disorders | Royal Free Hospital | October 15, 2005
What are the Possible Drawbacks of Online Therapy? BACK TO TOP
Therapists often gain therapeutic information from body language and non-verbal cues in traditional therapy that may be missed in technological forms of therapy. With that said, “looking back at Sigmund Freud, he did not sit with the client face-to-face, he sat behind the client, so as to minimize the potential of projection” Derrig-Palumbo, PhD, Family Therapy Magazine, 2009. Additionally, some people are likely to share more information about themselves when not sitting face-to-face. Further, despite reasonable efforts by both the part of the therapist and client, information could be accessed by unauthorized persons. Another drawback might be potential glitches in technology. Finally, insurance companies reimburse more often for face-to-face therapy then online therapy at this time.
Why is Online Therapy Becoming Popular Now? BACK TO TOP
Technology has finally made it easy for us to get help for physical and mental health issues. And as shared by Derrig-Palumbo, 2009, “… the Department of Defense and some managed behavioral healthcare companies recognized that online therapy is the only solution to challenges in providing mental health services to their customers, members and dependants. With over 26.2 percent of the United States population suffering from a diagnosable mental health or addiction disorder, and less then one-third of those people getting professional help, online therapy may help some of those who cannot or will not go in person. As the cliché so aptly states, ‘If only one extra person is helped…’”.
Is Online Therapy Legal? BACK TO TOP
Yes, online therapy is legal! It is regulated by state, federal and licensing board regulations. It is important to know that some states won’t allow a therapist not licensed in that state to provide therapy for a resident of that state. For example, California law prohibits consumers residing in California form engaging in mental health therapy from a clinician who is not licensed in California. In the case of online therapy, as of now, it is generally regarded that the therapy takes place in the state where the therapist resides. (Despite the idea that it is actually taking place in Cyberspace). Government regulations and licensing boards are rapidly evolving. If you would like to participate in online therapy with me as your provider and you do not live in the state of Iowa, check with me. It is quite possible your state or country may allow me to provide you with that service.
Is Online Therapy Covered by Insurance? BACK TO TOP
In recent years a growing number of insurance plans are reimbursing online or distance therapy. I will not file insurance claims for the online therapy services I provide, however please contact your individual plan to request information regarding your policy if you would like to look into possible reimbursement.
What if I am in Crisis? BACK TO TOP
In the event of an emergency online therapy is not adequate in providing the help you need. You may call your primary care physician, the police, dial 911 (in the United States), or seek help at your local emergency room. Additionally, you may call the emergency National Suicide Hotline at 800.784.2433 or log on to Befriender’s International at http://www.befrienders.org/, which offers crisis and suicide prevention resources around the world.
How Much Does Online Therapy Cost? BACK TO TOP
E-therapy exchange (1 Email): $35
E-therapy package of 4 Exchanges $125
E-therapy Package of 8 Exchanges, $240
Is Online Therapy Secure and Private? BACK TO TOP
Yes! Any information provided by a consumer via my online forms will be held in the strictest confidence. The security of confidential patient information is my top priority. Multiple layers of data security have been built into this system. Critical information in the database is encrypted, information flow to and from the database is encrypted, and passwords are encrypted.
Note: Encryption is an electronic means of protecting a communication by altering it so that it is unintelligible to unauthorized parties. A message is encrypted by software that encodes the message, or wraps it in information so that only the designated recipient can open (or decode) it.
If you would like to begin Online Therapy (also referred to as E-Therapy) please contact Crystal Hemesath by phone at 515.556.3668 or by email at crystal@crystalhemesath.com, however be aware this email address is not encrypted and should only be used for non confidential purposes, such as inquires and scheduling.
