Why Teletherapy Is a Game-Changer in Brooklyn
Between long workdays, family responsibilities, and the buzz of city life, it’s no wonder that so many New Yorkers struggle to prioritize their mental health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many discovered teletherapy as a way to conveniently access the care they needed while staying safe at home. What started as a temporary solution has since become a lasting preference for many. Even now, clients continue to value the ease, flexibility, and accessibility that online therapy brings to their daily lives.
From juggling long hours to coordinating childcare, Brooklyn residents face an endless list of responsibilities that make it hard to prioritize self-care. By seeking out teletherapy in Brooklyn, clients are able to fit mental health treatment into their hectic schedules. This is especially true for those seeking out Couples Therapy, Relationship Therapy, or Family Therapy, where scheduling conflicts can make in-person sessions nearly impossible.
Teletherapy counseling in Brooklyn comes with other important advantages, including increased privacy, reduced commute stress, and broader access to specialized support. Not being limited by physical convenience often means increased access to personalized care. Choosing the right therapist who aligns with your goals, values, and preferences is crucial to receiving effective treatment.
Understanding Teletherapy: What It Is and How It Works
Teletherapy, also known as online therapy or virtual therapy, is a form of mental health treatment delivered remotely through secure digital platforms such as video conferencing, phone calls, or even instant messaging. It allows clients to access mental health treatment without having to travel to an in-person office.
Virtual therapy sessions are conducted similarly to in-person therapy. Clients meet consistently with a counselor, set collaborative goals, discuss personal challenges, and identify pathways towards growth. Many types of therapy can be held online, including individual, couples, and group counseling.
Some clients may be unsure whether teletherapy would adequately address their needs. Some common misconceptions include:
Teletherapy isn’t as effective as in-person therapy
- Fact: Multiple studies have shown that virtual therapy can lead to similar improvements in symptoms, well-being, and quality of life when compared to face-to-face treatment. While the effectiveness of teletherapy can vary depending on a range of factors, many have found teletherapy to be capable of addressing their areas of clinical concern.
You can’t form a personal connection with a therapist online.
- Fact: A genuine therapeutic relationship can be established through video calls. Teletherapy can be key to enabling consistent session attendance, which allows for the building of trust and connection between client and therapist. In fact, many individuals find virtual therapy to be less intimidating, leading to increased openness and comfort in sharing their experiences.
Teletherapy is not confidential or secure.
- Fact: Licensed teletherapists use secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms to ensure client confidentiality. Clinicians are required to adhere to the same ethical standards and legal regulations when conducting online sessions as they do in more traditional settings.
Teletherapy in Brooklyn is ideal for people who benefit from increased accessibility, convenience, and privacy in receiving mental health care. Working professionals, parents, or students may prefer virtual therapy due to their lack of free time and need for scheduling flexibility. People with disabilities or those with mobility concerns may also seek out online treatment since it alleviates challenges associated with an in-person commute.
Know What You Need Before You Start Searching
Before you begin your therapist search, it is essential to assess your needs and confirm whether teletherapy is right for you. Clarifying what you are looking for can help streamline the process.
- Identify your therapy goals: What symptoms do you want to address in treatment? Do you want support for anxiety? Depression? Trauma? Some therapy goals are better served by teletherapy than others. If you have a condition that requires close monitoring or in-person intervention, virtual treatment may not be the best fit.
- Consider duration of treatment: Are you looking for short-term therapy or ongoing support? A briefer duration of treatment can be helpful in addressing a specific problem, while long-term therapy can help clients explore underlying issues and enduring patterns.
- Reflect on therapist preferences: Some clients feel more comfortable working with a therapist who shares certain identities with them, such as gender or cultural background. Others may seek out someone who has more experience in treating a specific condition. It can be helpful to identify a few therapist preferences to narrow down your search.
- Be aware of insurance or financial limitations: Contacting your insurance company to learn more about your specific benefits can help you save time during your hunt for a therapist. Make sure to ask about your deductible, copay, and any limits to the number of therapy sessions that are eligible for coverage. Consider setting aside a budget to cover out-of-pocket expenses. Gaining clarity of your limitations helps to prevent frustration later down the line.
Where to Look for a Brooklyn-Based Teletherapist
Once you know what you are looking for, you can begin your search for Brooklyn teletherapy options. Reputable therapy directories, like Psychology Today, TherapyDen, and Zencare, help make the search easier by allowing users to filter therapists by location, specialization, insurance, and other factors.
Even if you’re seeking virtual therapy, searching locally using keywords such as “Brooklyn teletherapy” ensures you’ll find clinicians licensed in New York. Practices like Humantold offer both in-person and teletherapy, giving you flexibility to switch formats as your needs evolve.
A great resource that often gets overlooked when searching for a therapist is your personal community. Ask trusted friends or coworkers if they have recommendations for a trusted therapy practice in Brooklyn or a specific teletherapist. Social media can also be helpful in connecting you to local clinicians who may be a good fit.
What to Look for in a Teletherapy Therapist
There might be dozens of options for teletherapy in Brooklyn that seem like they align with your identified needs on paper. Here are some therapist qualities that can help you make your decision:
- Credentials and qualifications: Confirm that the therapist is licensed to administer therapy in the state you live in. In New York, you might look for abbreviations such as LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor), LMSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), or LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist). You can also take a look at any specific certifications the therapist has and determine if they pertain to your specific concerns.
- Specialization: Specializations are areas of focus that a therapist has more experience or training in. Some specializations may include providing trauma-informed therapy, LGBTQIA+ affirming care, or bereavement counseling.
- Approach and style: Some therapists may be more directive and structured in their treatment. Others prefer an exploratory approach and allow the client to lead the conversation. Consider the style of communication that you think you would benefit most from, and allow that to guide your search.
Many therapists offer a free consultation call prior to the first session. This call is typically 10 to 15 minutes long and offers clients an opportunity to ask any questions they have about treatment. This call can also be used to get a sense of how you will feel speaking to that therapist in session. Trust your intuition and don’t be afraid to schedule several consultations to find someone with whom you feel comfortable.
Tips for Making Teletherapy Work for You
Once you select a teletherapist to work with, you may wonder how to make the most of your sessions, especially if you are new to virtual therapy. Here are some tips to help you feel more prepared:
- Set aside a private, quiet space for sessions: Ensuring that you feel comfortable expressing yourself freely is essential for counseling work. Even if you don’t live alone, making small adjustments, like asking your roommates to wear headphones or coordinating a time when others can be mindful of noise, can make you feel more at ease.
- Check your technology: Few things are more frustrating than starting a session only to discover your camera isn’t working, or the session link has gone missing. Take a few minutes before your session starts to make sure your technology is working smoothly. Check your internet stability, adjust your microphone and camera settings, and bookmark the link to your session so it is easily accessible with the time comes.
- Give yourself time to adjust: Teletherapy may feel unfamiliar at first, but many clients find they grow to become more comfortable with it over time. By committing to virtual sessions and being open to the process, you may find out firsthand how effective online therapy can be.
- Be honest about your needs: If you’ve given teletherapy your best shot, and you’re still unsure about whether it fits your needs, share that with your therapist! For some, virtual therapy just doesn’t feel right, and that’s okay. Your therapist is there to collaborate with you and adjust treatment accordingly.
Work with Humantold: Personalized Teletherapy in Brooklyn
If you are in search of teletherapy counseling in Brooklyn, Humantold is a great place to start. At Humantold, we believe that therapy should be inclusive and client-centered, which means we are committed to adapting mental health treatment to meet clients where they’re at. Providing virtual counseling is just one way we cater to our clients’ needs.
Humantold offers experienced, licensed therapists who provide teletherapy in Brooklyn and beyond. At our practice, getting started is as easy as one simple phone call. With a wide range of therapist backgrounds and adaptable scheduling options, we’re committed to helping you find the right match.
If you're ready to explore teletherapy with compassionate professionals who put your needs first, connect with a therapist at Humantold today.