Change doesn’t always happen when you least expect it. Life can happen whether or not you think your job schedule has room for it, divorce, empty nest, moving to another state or losing a loved one. Hence, it is no surprise that more people are choosing virtual life transition therapy, in which professional assistance comes to the life transition client, rather than adding a trip to an already stressful time of life.
If you’re looking for a method to deal with a life modification without turning your week around for a trip to an office, then this is what virtual life modification treatment is, how it works and who it’s for and how to start by using online therapy in North Carolina.
What Is Virtual Therapy?
It is important at first to understand what virtual therapy is before delving into the life transitions.
Also known as virtual counseling, virtual therapy or simply therapy online, virtual therapy is professional counseling provided by a secure, private video phone session rather than in-person office visit. You log in from your phone, tablet or computer, and your therapist logs in from his or her phone, tablet or computer.
Clinical relationships are the same as face-to-face work. The only difference is that it’s in a different setting. You can book sessions as you would in an office, and they are conducted by the same licensed therapist you would see there – but without the car ride.
Understanding Life Transitions Therapy
Life transitions therapy is a therapy that concentrates on the emotional aspect of significant life change. This is not just during times of crisis. It includes any change that is substantial enough to make you feel that it is impacting your sense of stability, identity and routine.
Some common transitions that lead the person to therapy for life transitions:
- Changes in career, losing the job or burnouts
- Divorce or separation
- Engagement to or birth of a child
- Moving to a new town or a new city
- Retirement
- Loss of a loved one
- Turning 30, 40 or 50, or other significant life changes or events
- Empty Nest syndrome or Changing family roles.
If any of these remind you of your own experiences, visit our life transitions counseling page for more information on the nature of this form of counseling and what to expect when engaging in it. We also have an awareness of working with clients in more challenging periods of life and offer specific distressing life transitions and support services for clients in the area of divorce and separation adjustment.
What Is Virtual Life Transitions Therapy?
Virtual life transitions therapy is simply the flexibility of online sessions together with the focus and structured counseling of life-change.
You don’t have to travel to an office with a heavy workload, a newborn or a divorce when you’re already stressed out – you join a private video session from wherever you may be, your home, a peaceful office or even in a hotel room if you are in the middle of a move. It’s about the same ultimate objective: to assist you in understanding your feelings, why it is impacting you this way and what you can do to proceed with clarity without being overwhelmed.
Many individuals dealing with change are not compromising with this type of format. This is often what enables them to even begin therapy.
How Does Virtual Life Transitions Therapy Work?
Starting the process of online life transition therapy can be easier than you think. Typically, this process goes as follows:
- Initial contact. You connect in and typically have a brief telephone conversation concerning what type of situation you are encountering and they consent to meet for a free consultation.
- Matching and scheduling. It can help save the planning of video sessions at the first meeting, provided your therapist feels confident in the match-up.
- Joining your session. You’ll log in at your appointment time via a private log-on link on your phone, tablet or computer; no software or app downloads are required.
- Ongoing sessions. Just like face-to-face counselling, you attend regular remote therapy sessions, progressing through the particular transition you are facing at a speed that is suitable to you.
All sessions are HIPAA Compliant and Confidential, no changes in that format and no changes in privacy or professionalism. This can be seen in greater detail on our online therapy page which provides an overview of the structure of each therapy session and the process that they go through until they start therapy.
Who Should Choose Online Life Transitions Therapy?
Online life transitions therapy may not be suitable or effective for all people but particularly those who:
- Live in a small town or rural area in NC with no easy access to a Specialist
- Face irregular work hours, frequent travel or have multiple children to care for
- Have recently moved but not yet settled in to a new city
- Wishes to discuss emotional issues privately in own space
- Desire to begin sooner than weeks to get the in-office opening
- Maybe dealing with anxiety or stress so that even thoughts of traveling to work feel like an added weight.
Our seniors and retirees services are also available virtually, and age or mobility will not be a barrier to receiving support, if you are a senior making changes or have your children all moved to their own house.
Basically, if change has thrown you out of your schedule then it does not matter if you need to commit to an extra travelling time, virtual counselling has got rid of the need for that travel time altogether.
Benefits of Virtual Therapy During Major Life Changes
Virtual therapy is a great option for patients going through a huge life change when they have little energy, time, or emotional capacity to spare.
Flexibility. The sessions can be arranged around your life, not your life around the therapy – especially useful if you have loads of packing, moving and/or a new job in the process or a newly single household.
Consistency. Restless travels, job travels or family responsibilities cannot put your momentum on hold. You have the ability to maintain your appointment at virtually any place in NC.
Comfort and openness. Numerous people are more open in a room they are used to, than in an office they are unfamiliar with.
Faster access. Since there is no restriction on therapists being close by, counseling online for life changes may have a less arduous time waiting to start the counseling procedure.
Reduced logistical stress. No commute, no parking, no waiting room – one less issue to deal with during an already busy season.
These are good advantages except for therapy specifically for a major life change. As the change that is disruptive comes through earlier, they begin to feel more stable sooner.
Is Virtual Therapy as Effective as In-Person Therapy?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions prior to booking the first session, and you can imagine how valid this is.
The answer is based upon research and clinical experience: Online therapy works just as well as face-to-face for most problems, from anxiety and stress to relationship difficulties and other life changes. The outcomes that matter – the strength of the relationship between the client and therapist, as well as the consistency of sessions – isn’t about sitting across the desk or sitting across the screen.
Consider virtual sessions in some cases as an improvement in outcome. You can progress the work forward quicker when clients feel more comfortable in their space.
Virtual Mental Health Support Across North Carolina
A major benefit of North Carolina virtual therapy is that it has geographical reach. From Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, Asheville, Concord and other locations, even those with fewer specialists in their area, can get quality care without having to travel.
Our Virtual Mental Health Support for clients in North Carolina also operates in our office in Midland, NC for those who would prefer to go to an office for face-to-face mental health. For more information about the therapist facilitating these sessions, Phil DeLuca, LCSW, and his 45+ years of clinical experience, see our About page.
Getting Started With Online Counseling for Life Changes
The initial steps in online counselling for life transitions are a free and casual discussion. You do not have to be diagnosed with anything or in a crisis to get help – merely a circumstance that is more than you can handle without intervention.
If you are prepared to begin talking to somebody and are ready to discover if virtual life transitions therapy is right for you, you can schedule a free 15 minute consultation. Sessions are Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 6:00 PM and most plans of insurance accepted as well as self-pay.
Final Thoughts
Life’s major changes are enough to throw people off their schedules without the addition of therapy. Remove that obstacle by connecting with genuine, experienced support from anywhere in North Carolina-even if you are in Charlotte, Raleigh, Concord or even a small town where a specialist isn’t nearby.
When you go through a career change, divorce, relocating, retiring or whatever important life event is happening, you don’t need to deal with it on your own. Don’t wait-schedule your free consultation today so you can get started with a clearer and less overwhelming perspective of moving forward with clarity in this chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Virtual Life Transitions Therapy
Q.1 How does virtual life transitions therapy work?
Much like face-to-face therapy, it operates in a similar fashion, except that it’s relayed through a secure video call instead of an office visit. Following a first meeting, you and your therapist agree to regular sessions, which you attend from your mobile phone, tablet or computer at your own speed while tackling the particular change you’re going through.
Q.2 Is virtual therapy effective?
Yes. Clinical studies have demonstrated that virtual therapy is highly effective across a range of issues from stress to anxiety, relationship strain, and life transitions, as well as all other concerns that come to mind. It’s more about the quality of the therapeutic relationship, the consistency of the sessions than the format.
Q.3 Who should choose online life transitions therapy?
Online life transition therapy is successful with individuals who have packed schedules or traveling routines, individuals who are located far from a specialist, as well as anyone who feels at ease handling emotional issues from a personal and familiar environment. It’s also a good choice if you’re looking to begin therapy without waiting weeks to find someone that takes new patients.
Q.4 Can I attend therapy sessions from home?
Yes. So long as you have the freedom to talk confidentially with others and have a secure location and a phone, tablet, or computer with an internet connection, you can have your sessions from residence, from an office, or wherever you would like to talk freely and confidentially as long as you have that space and device.
Q.5 What are the benefits of virtual therapy?
The advantages are that it offers flexibility in scheduling, no commute or waiting room, easy access for those of us who live far from any offices in NC, quicker times to get started and people feel more comfortable in opening their dialogue.
