Telehealth therapy offers several advantages, including:

Convenience and Accessibility: You can attend sessions from your home or another private location, reducing travel time and making therapy more accessible, especially for those with mobility challenges, transportation issues, or demanding schedules.

Continuity of Care: Whether due to illness, travel, or unforeseen circumstances, telehealth allows us to continue our work without interruption.

Comfort and Familiarity: Being in your own space may help you feel more at ease, which can foster openness and engagement in therapy.

Expanded Access: Telehealth makes it easier to connect with a therapist who fits your needs, regardless of location, as long as you are within Utah or California, where I am licensed to provide care.

While telehealth is valuable tool, it does come with some challenges, including:

Technological issues: Internet disruptions, poor video/audio quality, or software malfunctions may interfere with our sessions. Having a backup plan (such as switching to a phone call) can help.

Privacy & Security: While I use a HIPAA-compliant platform to protect your confidentiality and patient health information (PHI), I encourage you to ensure that your environment is secure by using a private internet connection and finding a quiet, confidential space for sessions.

Limitations in Non-Verbal Communication: In-person therapy allows for observation of subtle body language cues that might be less visible in telehealth. This can sometimes impact the depth of our communication.

Crisis Situations: Telehealth may not be the best option for clients who are in acute distress, experiencing suicidal thoughts, or facing an immediate mental health crisis. If you ever feel unsafe or in crisis, I encourage you to call 911, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Utah Crisis Line or California Crisis Line at 988 for immediate support.

To make the most of your telehealth sessions, I recommend:

Finding a quiet, private space where you feel comfortable speaking openly.

Using headphones to enhance audio quality and maintain privacy.

Ensuring a stable internet connection and minimizing distractions by closing other apps or notifications.

Being full present, just as you would in an in-person session, to create a meaningful therapeutic experience.

I am licensed to provide therapy to individuals residing in Utah and California. If you move or travel out of state, we may need to discuss alternative arrangements in advance, as both states have their own licensing laws for whether I can meet with you if you move or travel out of state.

Telehealth therapy is not for emergencies, but rather, routine mental health care.

Mandated Reporting: I am a mandated reporter in both Utah and California and, as such, I am required to follow state laws on breaking your confidentiality to ensure safety of from imminent self-harming behaviors, threat to others, child abuse, elder abuse, and dependent adult abuse.

If you are in crisis, I will provide you with appropriate resources in your area.

If you abruptly end a telehealth therapy session while in crisis, I will call you. If you do not answer the phone, I reserve the right to call 911 or local emergency services to request a welfare check.

Telehealth is not the only option for receiving mental health support. If you find that telehealth does not meet your needs, we can explore alternatives such as:

In-Person Therapy: If meeting face-to-face is preferable and feasible, I may be able to offer in-person sessions or refer you to a local provider who does. In-person therapy allows for richer nonverbal communication and can be beneficial for certain therapeutic approaches.

Hybrid Model: Some clients prefer a mix of in-person and telehealth sessions, depending on their schedule and comfort level. If this is something you’re interested in, we can discuss whether it’s a good fit.

Group Therapy or Support Groups: Depending on your needs, group therapy or peer support groups in your community may provide additional help in ways that complement or supplement individual therapy.

Self-Help Resources: Books, apps, and online mental health programs can sometimes provide valuable tools alongside therapy. If you are interested, I can recommend evidence-based resources tailored to your situation.