A visit to a psychologist always starts with an initial consultation to better understand the reasons for seeking out help. This initial visit, or in some cases visits, would result in making a collaborative decision with regards to the need for treatment, including the goals and intervention modality that would best suit a client’s needs.

Consultations can take place as a way to determine the need for treatment, or they could be more focused on examining a particular issue and problem solving about some alternative ways of addressing it. For example by coming up with strategies that might increase a person’s coping skills and understanding in facing life transitions, such as facing mental health concerns during pregnancy, loss/bereavement or other life changing circumstances.

The initial consultation and the initial assessment phase takes about 2 to 3 sessions. It consists of the process of engaging clients in identifying the areas where they struggle, in defining goals and in tailoring a treatment that would suit each particular person's needs. Independent of the specific mode of therapy (attachment, psychodynamic, interpersonal psychotherapy, emotion focused therapy, cognitive-behavioural treatment (CBT). At the core of this journey there needs to be a sense of comfort and security that a client is able to develop with the psychologist. Often research indicates that at the root of all successful treatments is the establishment of a good working relationship between the client and the clinician.

The length of the treatment, ideally, is determined by the nature of the concern(s). After the initial assessment phase, varying in length from 2 to 3 sessions, Dr. Wainer discusses with her clients her impressions and treatment recommendations. The issue of the frequency of the sessions is also discussed in a collaborative manner with the clients. In general, the recommendation is to start with regular sessions, and depending on the nature of the struggles and rate of progress in treatment, taper off to bi-weekly sessions. Research indicates that typically short-term treatment is a good alternative when, for example, there is a clear precipitating factor, the person is able to function in their day to day life in a successful manner, and there might be at times a crisis situation. Longer term therapy may be recommended when the problem has lasted for quite some time and is experienced as long-standing.

ONLINE PSYCHOTHERAPY IS:

Convenient

Secure, private and confidential

Accessible via laptop, phone, tablet

HOW DOES ONLINE COUNSELLING WORK?

The process starts by connecting with me to make an appointment for a consultation. Online therapy offers the opportunity to schedule an appointment that may better fit your schedule and current life circumstances. Adults can have their appointments after their children are tucked in bed, or while they are playing/doing school work in another room. Online counseling flows similarly to in-person psychotherapy. We dedicate the initial appointment(s) to talk about the general concerns and background information, and possible goals as a way to determine, in a collaborative manner, the best treatment choice tailored to your needs.

TELETHERAPY OFFERS GREATER ACCESS TO SERVICES

Face to face appointments

At a convenient location for you – as long as you have privacy, strong Wifi that is not public

Use of an encrypted confidential platform

Clients are encouraged to check with their insurance plans to learn about their policies for online psychotherapy

IS ONLINE PSYCHOTHERAPY EFFECTIVE?

Systematic research reviews indicate that online psychotherapy can be as effective as in-person therapy. As always, this is going to depend on the kinds of struggles a person is experiencing and individual preferences. Research in the area of adult treatment has been mounting over the last decade and a half, for online psychotherapy only or a combination of telehealth and in-person visits, with findings indicating that virtual therapy can be as effective as in person psychotherapy, particularly for the treatment of anxiety, depression and PTSD (e.g. Berger, 2018; Hilti et al, 2013; Varker et al, 2019).

As it’s not uncommon in the movement of psychotherapy research, studies that explore online treatment with teens and children is coming along, yet at a slower pace. That said, recent studies (e.g. Tse, 2015) and reviews (e.g. Alwalla et al, 2017; Hourigan et al, 2019; Lindqvist et al 2020) continue to indicate that this is a useful treatment modality. In all cases, research tends to draw in a cautionary note when trying to engage clients with complex difficulties.

LIMITATIONS OF VIDEO THERAPY

When there’s a need for more intense supports, such as when someone is experiencing high levels of distress and may pose a danger to themselves, etc.

Although (my practice) uses an encrypted and confidential online platform, limitations may include internet disruption and other technological difficulties that at times may hinder out ability to have a meeting

We keep a limited amount of in-person appointments, with COVID-19 protocols set in place (use of masking in the office; social distrancing, use of survey ahead of the session; regular sanitazion; extra ventilation filering with HEPA air purifiers).