“I got as much out of online therapy as I did out of in-person. I don’t think I’ll ever give up the convenience of virtual sessions.”
So many people in counseling have said something along the lines of the above since the life-changing year of 2020. While therapy is an incredibly personal process and therefore no two therapeutic experiences are alike, clients and practitioners were forced to switch to online counseling (teletherapy) during the covid pandemic, at least for part of the time. And what so many have reported (and research backs this up) is that taking away the actual therapy office does not take away the therapy’s effectiveness. Teletherapy, is safe, convenient, and effective. 
Of course since everyone is unique and therefore every therapy is unique, some people will prefer to revert back to in-person sessions now that 2020 is behind us. But for so many, the convenience and flexibility of teletherapy make it an appealing ongoing choice.
The steps to conduct sessions online are easy. You’re emailed a link that connects you via video to your therapist — think of this online video connection as a virtual office. And once you and your therapist are connected in this way, the therapy session proceeds just like an office visit. (Also, for those clients preferring audio only, the only thing needed is connection by phone.)
My clients and I have found this to be a very effective way to work in both individual therapy and marriage/couples counseling sessions.
Telecounseling: What you will need
A computer, tablet or smart phone (a visual connection will require a camera, but some clients prefer audio only, in which case any phone will do);
A reliable internet connection;
A private or secure location. This can take a bit of ingenuity, especially if you have young children or crowded living arrangements. (I’ve had some clients in these situations use their cars or closets for the duration of the session.)
Benefits of Teletherapy
It is effective. There is a growing body of research supporting the effectiveness of teletherapy for various emotional conditions.
It is convenient. During the sessions, you can be in your home, office, car, backyard…just about anywhere (as long as you have wifi access and privacy).
It expands your options. Whereas face-to-face sessions limit you to working with a therapist within a certain geographic area and a reasonable commute, teletherapy offers you a much wider field from which to choose. For instance, although I am based in Austin, Texas (and therefore automatically can work with all Texas residents), I can now also conduct teletherapy with people residing in sixteen states (plus Washington, DC). (See the complete list below.)
Online Therapy/Counseling Services
I conduct individual and marriage/couples teletherapy for Texas residents. And in addition, I now offer telecounseling services to people living in the following states:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Next steps
Are you interested in trying online therapy?
Let me know if you have any questions about working with me online.
And if you’d like to set up an appointment, you can reach me at (512) 931-9128 or Rich@RichardNicastro.com.
About Rich Nicastro, PhD.
A psychologist with over twenty years’ experience, Dr. Nicastro offers online therapy/counseling to individuals and couples. He treats a wide range of emotional issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, self-defeating behaviors, sex addiction and intimacy issues. His couples-work centers around improving communication as well as healing and rebuilding from infidelity.
