Online Counseling and Psychotherapy (Guest Post)

Article by Irving Schattner
Edit and post design by Christy Zigweid
Photo by JESHOOTS via Pixabay made using @WordSwagApp

---

Online therapy has been receiving a lot of attention lately. It refers to therapy conducted remotely via the internet or over the phone.  There are a number of applications that allow for sessions to take place via computer, iPad, or smartphone.

Online therapy has some advantages over traditional in-office therapy: It doesn’t require the time and expense of traveling and it allows clients greater flexibility to engage with a therapist in the comfort of one’s home.  For those whom transportation is difficult (they don’t drive and either have to depend on or pay someone to drive them to and from therapy sessions), online therapy can be a practical alternative, offering them access to services normally not available or accessible.  ​

Image by PublicDomainPictures via Pixabay

---

Benefits of Video Therapy

Persons with a fear of driving or lack of access to alternative forms of transportation, can engage with a therapist in the privacy and safety of one’s home. This may be especially helpful for those suffering with agoraphobia and/or social phobia or generalized anxiety, as well as others with incapacitating physical or health problems that pose extreme hardship in getting to the therapist’s office.

Persons suffering with severe depression may also be reluctant, fearful, or unwilling to venture outside of their home and can benefit from face-to-face guidance and support with a trained psychotherapist via the internet.

Photo by Wokandapix via Pixabay

---

Clients with busy schedules may find online therapy particularly appealing, which increases their access to mental health services.

For those living in remote (rural) areas where mental health services are not readily available or accessible, online therapy offers access to needed mental health services.
​
The advantages of online therapy and counseling include: it's a good option for remote areas, it offers accessibility for those with physical limitations, it's convenient and affordable, and lastly online therapy makes information more accessible to reach a wider audience.

---

About the Author - Irving Schattner, LCSW

I am a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience helping individuals, couples and families overcome real-life challenges with my  private practice, Counseling Center for Growth and Recovery, in Delray Beach, Florida. I also offer video and online therapy along with telephonic therapy from the comfort of home, in addition to the face-to-face sessions.

I’ve worked in diverse clinical settings including assisted living and skilled nursing / rehabilitation, community mental health, addictions, psychiatric care, and private practice.

It is through these experiences that I’ve developed a strong appreciation of the uniqueness of each person’s life story, as well as the belief that given the right support and conditions, people can overcome most challenges and even thrive.
​
Recognizing that no two clients are alike, I take from a richness of various therapeutic traditions including psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, psychodrama, emotionally focused, systemic therapies, Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and other modalities, with the purpose of individualizing treatment that best meets my clients’ needs.

WEBSITE