Online therapy has become increasingly utilized by professionals in the mental health care space in order to expand care based on location, convenience, and availability. However, there are some important factors to consider when deciding if virtual therapy is a good fit for you.

Factors to consider:

Location: All of the clinicians at Tree of Life Counseling Center are licensed to provide online therapy to individuals and couples in the state of NJ at the time of their session. Several of our clinicians have additional licenses to treat individuals in other states including NY, PA, and FL. If you are unsure if our practice provides virtual therapy in your state of residence, please call our office at 732-393-8391. 

Age: Online therapy can be a useful tool for busy teenagers who may not have the time or transportation means to drive to appointments. However, depending on the client’s age, comfort level with technology, and condition being addressed, virtual therapy may not be the most appropriate method of treatment. A clinician will utilize their professional discretion to determine if online therapy is a viable treatment option.

Privacy: At Tree of Life Counseling Center, we utilize a secure third-party video platform to conduct virtual sessions, to ensure anything discussed remains confidential and meets HIPAA regulations. However, since online therapy sessions can be conducted in a variety of convenient locations including your house, car, or a private room, it is important that you are in a private space to ensure privacy during sessions. 

Condition: Depending on the mental health condition being addressed, virtual sessions may not be conducive for maximum therapeutic benefit. 

Medication Management: Due to DEA licensure limits, certain psychiatric medications can not be prescribed without an in-person appointment with the prescriber at one of our NJ locations. Included in these are any controlled substances, including certain ADHD and anxiety medications.

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Ultimately, the last factor to consider when choosing virtual or in-person sessions is personal preference. Some individuals find in-person therapy to be more beneficial to their journey, while others prefer the convenience of virtual sessions. If you are unsure which option is right for you, call our office at 732-393-8391.