Teletherapy is a fancy word for a simple thing. It is therapy that happens over video instead of in an office. Same therapist, same real work, from your own couch. If you have wondered whether online therapy actually counts, or whether it could work for you or your kid, here is a straight answer.
Does teletherapy actually work?
Yes, and the research is reassuring on this. Studies consistently find that therapy delivered over video works about as well as in-person care for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, and stress. Just as importantly, the bond between therapist and client, which is the thing that makes therapy work, stays strong over a screen. Most people feel just as connected to their therapist online as they do in the room.
What teletherapy is good for, and when in-person may fit better
Teletherapy is a great fit for a lot of people. Individual therapy for adults, support for anxious or stressed teens, ongoing work you do not want to interrupt because life got busy. There are times an office may be the better setting, like young children who do their best work through hands-on play therapy, or someone in acute crisis who needs more intensive, in-person support. For most everyday counseling, though, video works beautifully.
Why families like it
The appeal comes down to a few real things:
- No commute. No fighting traffic or rearranging the whole afternoon for one appointment.
- Access. If you live outside town, have a packed schedule, or juggle carpool and work, therapy fits into your life instead of competing with it.
- Consistency. It is easier to keep up regular sessions when a busy week, or a sick day, does not mean canceling.
- Comfort. Many people, teens especially, open up more easily from the safety of their own space.
What you need for a session
Not much. A private space where you will not be overheard, a phone, tablet, or computer with a camera, and a reasonably steady internet connection. One more thing to know: therapists can only see clients who are physically located in a state where the therapist is licensed. We are licensed in Tennessee, so we can meet by video with clients located anywhere in Tennessee.
How we do it
At Concord Family Counseling in Brentwood, we offer secure teletherapy to individuals, teens, and families across Tennessee, alongside in-person sessions. If getting to an office is the thing standing between you and support, video may be exactly what makes it possible. Learn more about the rest of our counseling services.
Common questions
Does online therapy work as well as in-person therapy?
For most common concerns, yes. Research finds teletherapy about as effective as in-person care for issues like anxiety, depression, and stress, and the therapist-client bond holds up well over video.
Is teletherapy right for my child or teen?
It is often a great fit for teens, who tend to be comfortable on video and open up from their own space. For young children who benefit from hands-on play therapy, in-person sessions are usually the better choice.
What do I need for a teletherapy session?
A private space, a device with a camera, a steady internet connection, and to be physically located in a state where your therapist is licensed. We can see clients located anywhere in Tennessee.
Is teletherapy private and secure?
Yes. Sessions are held over a secure, confidential platform. On your end, choosing a private space where you will not be overheard helps you get the most out of it.
Lydia Thompson, LPC-MHSP, is a licensed therapist and the owner of Concord Family Counseling in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Therapy that fits your life.
We offer secure teletherapy across Tennessee, plus in-person sessions in Brentwood. Let’s talk.
Learn more about counseling for teens at our practice.