“Can I do therapy online?”
If you’re like many people nowadays, you might be asking that question and seeking online therapy, commonly referred to as “telehealth” or “teletherapy.” The answer is YES.
This increasingly popular format allows you to receive counseling while in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Therapy conducted online has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of emotional issues for both individuals and couples. And its convenience and flexibility is unmatched.
What is teletherapy?
You might be familiar with video chats or videoconferencing or other platforms that allow people to connect remotely, whether for work or social purposes. Online therapy shares similarities to these but goes a step further in offering heightened privacy, security, and confidentiality (HIPAA-compliance). 
Other than the fact that the internet will connect client and therapist rather than the physical space, online counseling is no different than the in-person variety.
Why online counseling might be right for you:
- You’re in quarantine or social distancing mode due to the coronavirus (COVID-19);
- You’re struggling with psychological/emotional symptoms or situations that make leaving your home feel like an insurmountable task (i.e., anxiety, depression, grief);
- You have a physical disability that makes travel difficult;
- You’re a stay-at-home parent needing the convenience of remote therapy;
- Your hectic work schedule doesn’t allow time for a commute;
- You travel regularly but would still like to maintain a reliable therapy schedule;
- You live/work too far from my Austin office. (I am licensed to practice psychology in the state of Texas, so as long as you are a Texas resident you are eligible for telehealth therapy sessions, regardless of where in the state you reside);
- You simply have a preference for online therapy over the traditional format.
What you need in order to do online therapy:
A smart phone, iPad, tablet or computer, and an internet connection.
If you’re ready to try online counseling (for individual or couples counseling):
The first step is to contact me at (512) 931-9128 or rich@RichardNicastro.com. Once we schedule a time to meet, I will send you a link to the video conferencing, HIPAA-compliant platform that will connect us during our meeting time.
Rich Nicastro, Ph.D., is a psychologist with over twenty years of experience based in Austin, Texas. He offers online individual and couples counseling (telecounseling) for residents of Texas.
In addition to Texas, Dr. Nicastro is now able to offer online therapy to residents living in: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia (DC), Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.**