Have you been procrastinating your therapy goals because committing to weekly trips to a doctors office seems overwhelming?
Are you homebound due to a physical health condition and in-person therapy would be next to impossible?
At bareWell we offer online therapy services for clients who reside in California. Online therapy can be a good option for clients who have difficulty coming in for regular appointments because of busy schedules, lack of childcare, physical or medical limitations or who live too far from the office. We use a free, convenient, secure, and HIPAA compliant platform called VSee.com to provide all online therapy sessions. All you need is a computer with a camera and mic as well as internet access.
For additional information regarding Online Therapy Services with bareWell see our FAQ below or feel free to CONTACT us with other questions you may have.
What is online therapy?
Online therapy is psychotherapy that occurs between a licensed therapist and a client online rather than at our office.
How does it work?
Your therapist will help to determine if online therapy is a good fit for you. If you both agree that it is, then it will be important for you to find a private, quiet and comfortable space from where to do your sessions. You will need a computer, internet access, and a web-cam. Then we will each log onto a safe, confidential online video conferencing system to meet for your private therapy session. We use Vsee.com as our platform for video sessions.
Are there benefits to using online therapy versus in-person therapy?
There are some benefits to online therapy that are worth mentioning! Online therapy is accessible even when you are too busy to step away from your office or home, or life throws you a curve ball and you can’t make it into the office for a session. Additionally, for some people in remote or rural areas who have limited options or for those with physical disabilities who are housebound online therapy provides an opportunity for them to receive services.
It's also typically a simple process. You log onto a video app through your computer or even another device if you would like. It is important to note that a good internet connection is necessary in order to avoid sudden or abrupt disconnect or interruptions in session.
Are there drawbacks to using online therapy?
There are some things to consider when seeking online therapy. Sometimes it may be difficult for a therapist to read your body language, or to assess moment-to-moment expressions and this can be dependent on the quality or reliability of the video. In addition, some people prefer the intimacy and intricacy that real-world interactions possess. For others, the trip to their therapists office allows them the physical space where there is nothing but dialogue on important life issues and it can feel like a form of “self care” to have a respite from the stresses of home, work or relationships.
Are videos recorded?
No. There are no permanent videos or voice recording kept of our online sessions. Your privacy and confidentiality are of the utmost importance. We abide by all HIPAA regulations and take the necessary steps to provide a confidential and secure video platform to use.
Can you work with anyone, anywhere or anytime?
We are licensed therapists in California and can work with any individuals in our private practice as long as they have residence or live in the state of California. However, there are some conditions, symptoms or issues that would better benefit from in-person therapy sessions. Your therapist will evaluate the appropriateness of online therapy with you.
I’ll be traveling, can we still work together?
It depends on where and for how long you will be traveling. Let's talk about that and we can figure out whether online therapy is the best fit for you. If not, we are happy to help guide you to more appropriate options.
Will our sessions be the same length as they would be in person?
Yes. The time does not change just because we are using video services.
Do I have to do video sessions in order to work with you?
Absolutely not. We provide in person therapy sessions at our office location. Online therapy is a convenient option you can use if you're traveling temporarily, unable to get away from the office and/or just not able to come into the office on that particular day and time of your appointment.
Can I do a mixture of in-person and video sessions if I want to?
Yes! That is always an option and many of our clients do a combination depending on their needs.
Does my insurance pay for online therapy sessions?
It depends some insurances will and some will not. If we are in network with your insurance company we are happy to verify and let you know!