Here we are nearing the end of 2021, and we are still doing Telehealth? I would estimate that 90% of people who call or email for information either prefer Telehealth or don’t mind it. The other 10% ask me why we are still doing Telehealth. It is a reasonable question! Just about everything has opened up, so why not therapy?

There is some confusion over which guidelines apply to therapy. What most people don’t realize is that CDC and State of NJ have provided guidelines regarding in person psychotherapy that are not the same as the general guidelines for the public and for retail stores and corporate workplaces. We are advised to “use Telehealth whenever possible.” With psychotherapy, Telehealth is always possible. The guidelines also call for mask and shield wearing for both therapist and client–this is not feasible for psychotherapy, as well as other requirements.

So we continue to offer Telehealth until we are advised it is safe and practical to meet in person. While I understand how tired you, your spouse, and your kids are of staring at a computer screen, there are some surprising advantages to Telehealth that many people do not realize until they try it. There is no rush or pressure to get to an office–no worries about traffic or bad weather. No concerns over your teenager driving to my office or missing a session–they can have their session from their phone (which most teens seem to prefer) from their room, from a park, in the car in . Kids enjoy showing me their room, or introducing their pets, and are MUCH more relaxed in their own environment. Most people seem more relaxed at home during their sessions.

For those who don’t have a private place in their home to have their session, sitting in the car in the driveway or park parking lot has worked quite well. There are some folks who like to have their session on the phone while taking a walk. Since many people are still working from home, there is more flexibility with scheduling appointments and they are able to meet earlier in the day then they could before COVID. I work with many college students who are attending school here in New Jersey. I have been virtually “inside” many college dorms and apartments. Students enjoy showing me their dorm rooms and occasionally introducing their roommates to me. Before COVID, they were unable to come to my office for their sessions and I would only see them during the Summer or Winter Break. As you likely know, most college students and teens do not like talking on the phone. So Telehealth has worked out quite well for them.

To be honest, I really miss seeing people in person. I miss showing them into the therapy room, offering them a bottle of water, and helping them feel welcome and comfortable. We definitely will get back to that at some point, but it just isn’t yet. For now, in compliance with the guidelines, I will continue with Telehealth, but I am working on opening an integrative health counseling center in 2022: Holistic Health Counseling Center- for Mind Body Wellness. So there is much to look forward to!