Online Therapy - The Answer You've Been Looking For!
It's not always easy to take care of ourselves, especially in this day and age of business. But, in today's digital world, it is easier than ever to access quality mental health counseling from the comfort of your own home. Online therapy allows you to meet with Rachel on a secure video platform.
Online Therapy - What is it?
Online Therapy - also called Online Counseling, Teletherapy, Telehealth, and Technology Assisted Counseling - is an alternative way of conducting therapy sessions. Instead of meeting with Rachel at her office, you will meet with Rachel from the comfort of your home or a private place virtually, using a secure and confidential video platform.
Online Therapy sessions have many benefits! This includes more convenient counseling options including location (you select where you want to be for the appointment, preferably a quiet space) and time (based on your availability and Rachel's schedule). And, you save on expenses of transporting to/from Rachel's office and eliminate the stressors of traffic. Clients who use online therapy have more flexibility - location and schedule are no longer a barrier to getting the necessary support to connect to their best selves.
Prior to engaging in an online therapy appointment, Rachel will conduct a consultation with you to assure that online counseling is an appropriate form of counseling for your individual needs.
Online Therapy sessions have many benefits! This includes more convenient counseling options including location (you select where you want to be for the appointment, preferably a quiet space) and time (based on your availability and Rachel's schedule). And, you save on expenses of transporting to/from Rachel's office and eliminate the stressors of traffic. Clients who use online therapy have more flexibility - location and schedule are no longer a barrier to getting the necessary support to connect to their best selves.
Prior to engaging in an online therapy appointment, Rachel will conduct a consultation with you to assure that online counseling is an appropriate form of counseling for your individual needs.
Online Therapy is Convenient
Online therapy sessions are offered so that you can start your healing journey from the comfort of your home or office. Rachel understands that the Coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic has many people practicing social distancing measures at this time. And, during this uncertain time, Rachel is committed to making sure you can still receive the support you need to connect with your best self. An essential part of overcoming this challenging time is staying connected with others, including your Therapist. Therefore, Rachel offers mental health services online to support you.
Respecting and Valuing Privacy
It is understandable that clients would worry about being seen going to counseling or running into someone at their Therapist's office. And, although we wish that was not the case (and want to end the stigma against therapy), we understand. If you are worried about these issues, then Online Therapy may be the answer you have been looking for. Rachel uses a secure video platform to meet with you on your phone, tablet or computer. Rachel uses HIPAA compliant software and adheres to their guidelines. In other words, Rachel takes your privacy seriously if we are meeting online, or in person.
Online Therapy in Florida
Did you know that you can see a therapist who is licensed to provide online services in the state you are physically located in? So, if you are traveling outside Florida, Rachel won't be able to meet with you until you return. However, Rachel can virtually see you anywhere in the state of Florida, even if you are outside the Fort Lauderdale area. This can be especially helpful for working professional who travel often for work. Also, this is a benefit for youth/adolescents who split their time between two parents' households.
Who Benefits From Seeing an Online Therapist?
Many people have had wonderful results from working with an online therapist. Especially people who have a hard time leaving their house due to health issues or severe anxiety and depression. It is also very helpful for caregivers and stay-at-home parents to access counseling. Many research studies have shown that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy for many mental health diagnosis. These include depression, OCD, anxiety, trauma, grief/loss, postpartum mood disorders to name a few. Many people prefer the convenience of online therapy to face-to-face therapy.
Online Therapy Sessions Provided by Rachel Pires, MSW, LCSW
Rachel offers the following counseling services to adults, and couples via an online HIPAA secure platform:
- Individual therapy
- Couples Counseling
- Anxiety Treatment
- Trauma treatment
- Grief counseling
- Mindfulness Coaching
- Spiritual and Intuitive Counseling
Begin Online Therapy in Florida
You do not have to choose between coming to a counseling office in person, or waiting to get mental health support. Rachel is here to help through online counseling. Here's how to get started with online therapy in Florida:
In the nature of the times we are living in as result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rachel has transitioned most of her practice to online therapy sessions.
Note - although Online Therapy is appropriate for mental health concerns, it is not appropriate for clients experiencing a crisis. If you are currently experiencing Suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately by calling:
Those Residing in Broward County can call 211 Broward - this service provides 24-hour telephone counseling, emotional support, suicide prevention and intervention, and links to community resources. Please use this number if you or someone you know are: in acute emotional distress; in or perceived to be in a life-threatening situation; in danger to themselves or others; or hysterical, frightened or otherwise unable to cope with a problem.
- Contact Rachel today and schedule an appointment for a free 30 minute consultation to see if online therapy is a good fit for you.
- Meet with Rachel for a consultation - either over the phone or using a video platform.
- Begin online therapy and receive the mental health support you are looking for!
In the nature of the times we are living in as result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rachel has transitioned most of her practice to online therapy sessions.
Note - although Online Therapy is appropriate for mental health concerns, it is not appropriate for clients experiencing a crisis. If you are currently experiencing Suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately by calling:
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1.800.273.8255
- Lifeline Chat, a service of the National Suicide Prevention. Chat is available 24/7 across the us: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
Those Residing in Broward County can call 211 Broward - this service provides 24-hour telephone counseling, emotional support, suicide prevention and intervention, and links to community resources. Please use this number if you or someone you know are: in acute emotional distress; in or perceived to be in a life-threatening situation; in danger to themselves or others; or hysterical, frightened or otherwise unable to cope with a problem.
Online Therapy Sessions - easy access and set up!
Rachel will next schedule your appointment and send you a link to a HIPAA compliant platform. You will be asked to complete consent forms and an intake questionnaire before starting online counseling sessions. About 10 minutes before your appointment, you should receive an email or text appointment reminder.
Below are 5 quick and easy steps for accessing online counseling sessions using a desktop, laptop, or tablet:
1. Secure a private space for your session, preferably one with a door you can close.
2. Click the unique link embedded in the email or text reminder. Your video call screen will open in a new tab.
3. If Rachel has already joined the call, you will see her face on the screen. If Rachel has not, you will see yourself.
4. You will see the Welcome prompt. Click Play test sound to test your camera and microphone settings.
5. When you are ready, click Join Video Appointment. This will take you straight into the video call. Note, there may be a slight delay for Rachel to join the session if she is finishing with a previous session. Please be patient and Rachel will join momentarily.
Below are 5 quick and easy steps for accessing online counseling sessions using a smart phone:
1. Choose a well-lit, quiet room in your house to have your appointment. Do not sit directly in front of windows due to back lighting.
2. Download Telehealth by SimplePractice (for iOS or Android) in the App Store. Approximately 10 minutes before your appointment, you should receive either an email or text appointment reminder.
3. Open the reminder on your mobile device and click the unique link. This will open the Telehealth by SimplePractice app.
4. If Rachel has already joined the call, you will see her face on the screen. If Rachel has not joined the call, you will see yourself.
5. When you are ready, click Join Video Appointment. This will take you straight to the video call.
Tips for Success - Rachel recommends the following:
Below are 5 quick and easy steps for accessing online counseling sessions using a desktop, laptop, or tablet:
1. Secure a private space for your session, preferably one with a door you can close.
2. Click the unique link embedded in the email or text reminder. Your video call screen will open in a new tab.
3. If Rachel has already joined the call, you will see her face on the screen. If Rachel has not, you will see yourself.
4. You will see the Welcome prompt. Click Play test sound to test your camera and microphone settings.
5. When you are ready, click Join Video Appointment. This will take you straight into the video call. Note, there may be a slight delay for Rachel to join the session if she is finishing with a previous session. Please be patient and Rachel will join momentarily.
Below are 5 quick and easy steps for accessing online counseling sessions using a smart phone:
1. Choose a well-lit, quiet room in your house to have your appointment. Do not sit directly in front of windows due to back lighting.
2. Download Telehealth by SimplePractice (for iOS or Android) in the App Store. Approximately 10 minutes before your appointment, you should receive either an email or text appointment reminder.
3. Open the reminder on your mobile device and click the unique link. This will open the Telehealth by SimplePractice app.
4. If Rachel has already joined the call, you will see her face on the screen. If Rachel has not joined the call, you will see yourself.
5. When you are ready, click Join Video Appointment. This will take you straight to the video call.
Tips for Success - Rachel recommends the following:
- Join the video session a few minutes early to test your settings.
- If you can connect to the internet, but are having trouble joining the video, you can use the SimplePractice Internet Connection Test: video.simplepractice.com/connection-test
- To use a smartphone to join a video chat, you must first download the Telehealth by SimplePractice app available in the App Store for iOS or Android.
- If you need to cancel or have questions about the appointment, please contact Rachel at 917-628-5600.