Serving California Residents with HIPAA-secure Video Therapy
Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD (CA Lic.# PSY19046)
Mailing address: 3123 W. Ave. L 8, Lancaster, CA 93536
Phone: 661-233-6771
Online Video Therapy
What is Online Therapy?
Online therapy is psychotherapy offered by video, text, or other electronic means of communication. Some therapists and medical professionals had offered such therapy prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the popularity and need for online therapy surged during that time. This type of therapy can be asynchronous, meaning that it is not happening in real time, or synchronous, which allows interaction live in real time.
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Companies like Talkspace and Betterhelp offer this type of therapy offered by text. Most of the people with whom I have worked who tried this type of therapy were not satisfied with the quality of help they received. However, synchronous therapy, like video therapy, provides for a live experience that simulates in person therapy. Through synchronous online therapy, we see each other’s faces and upper bodies, and can interact live in the moment. There are many benefits to receiving therapy this way, which will be listed below.​
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What are the benefits of synchronous online video therapy?
Online therapy offers many advantages over in person therapy. For instance…
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Are you looking for psychotherapy or counseling, but don't have time to go to a therapist's office? Online therapy is easier than commuting to and from a therapist’s office!
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Do you value your privacy and don’t want people in your hometown to see you going to an office building? You can do online therapy in a car (that’s safely parked), an empty conference room, or a room at home (provided you let other residents know not to disturb you)!
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Do you have an injury or illness that makes it hard to get to appointments reliably? You don’t have to arrange for transportation or be physically uncomfortable to do online counseling.
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Do you have anxiety about leaving the house? Eventually we’ll work on getting you out into the world, but in the meantime, you can do therapy from the safety and comfort of your own home!
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Are your childcare needs keeping you from being able to get help? If you can get your child to take a nap or be otherwise occupied for 50 minutes, you don’t have to hire a babysitter and can look after your own mental health needs!
“Okay, yeah, it’s convenient… but is it effective?” you might ask.
​Video therapy from home is versatile and helpful! Several prominent authors have found that online therapy can be effective for conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.[i] [ii]
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I have been providing video therapy from home since 2017, and I love it! It allows me to see people all over California, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Ridgecrest, the Central Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Sierra foothills, and the Mendocino coast. It’s a great choice for professional people on the go and parents with small children alike.
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To ensure that our visits are confidential and safe, I use a program called SecureVideo, which is secure and HIPAA-compliant. In addition, it has the documents needed for the first session already on the platform, so it's easy to sign and fill them out electronically. You can also make any necessary payments through the platform. Alternatively, you can pay with IvyPay, which is also HIPAA-secure. (Just let me know which you'd prefer).
I have been able to do hypnotherapy and EMDR therapy online, as well as talk therapy using Solution Focused Brief Therapy. If you’re wondering, yes, you can do great healing work with clinical hypnotherapy and EMDR therapy virtually! I find that people respond well to receiving psychotherapy online when they’re in a quiet, private place where they won’t be disturbed for at least 50 minutes. One nice advantage of doing therapy online is that your pets might like to snuggle up next to you when you’re crying or feeling upset. It can be very soothing to receive online therapy in the comfort of your own home.
Therapy from home is an option that is here to stay. Many people experienced increased mental health simply because they were able to access a great therapist virtually. This is especially true for people who live in a rural area that is far from the amenities and resources of big cities. I am committed to offering online therapy to clients for years to come, not just for safety’s sake but also because it allows me to see so many more people than in person.
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Is online video therapy right for you?
​Online therapy is a great option for people who are more likely to follow through if it's easy and convenient. It doesn't matter if you have anxiety or depression, you're struggling in your relationship, or you simply want a good therapist to help you with your life, online therapy can work for you.
The only times online therapy is ill-advised is if you are in a crisis and feel like hurting yourself or others, or actively abusing substances like drugs or alcohol. In those cases, it is probably best to receive in-person care until you are more emotionally safe and stable.
Are you ready to receive online video therapy? If so, please click the contact button or give me a call to see if this would be a good fit for your needs.
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