Our Locations - The Offices of Paul Dalton
Online Counseling, Teletherapy, and
Virtual Counseling.
What is Online Counseling, Telehealth & Teletherapy?
Telehealth , Virtual Counseling, or Teletherapy is online therapy that utilizes telecommunications and virtual technology to deliver behavioral health care outside of a traditional health care facility. Telehealth allows you to connect with your therapist, counselor or nurse practitioner using any device with internet access including a phone, tablet, or computer. This service will allow you the convenience of keeping your regular scheduled appointment with your clinician while remaining in the comfort of your home.
Virtual Therapy Pros and Cons
Potential Benefits of Online Treatment over traditional face-to-face treatment:
- People in rural areas or those with transportation difficulties may have easier access.
- Many online therapy sites allow users to sign up with "nicknames" which can entice people who are embarrassed about getting services under their real names.
- Most online therapy services cost less than face-to-face treatment.
- Scheduling is more convenient for many people.
- Studies show online therapy requires 7.8 times less of a therapist's time than face-to-face treatment, meaning therapists can often treat more people online than they can in-person.
- Clients don't have to worry about seeing people they know in the waiting room.
- It can be easier for some people to reveal private information when they're sharing it online.
- Individuals with anxiety, especially social anxiety, are more likely to reach out to an online therapist.
The Potential Drawbacks of Virtual Visits
Online therapy isn't for everyone. Here are some potential risks and drawbacks:
- Online therapy isn't meant for people with certain problems or conditions (such as suicidal intent or psychosis).
- Without being able to interact face-to-face, therapists miss out on body language and other cues that can help them arrive at an appropriate diagnosis.
- Technological issues can become a barrier. Dropped calls, frozen videos, and trouble accessing chats aren't conducive to treatment.
- It can be difficult to form a therapeutic alliance with someone when meetings aren't face-to-face.
- It can be difficult for therapists to intervene in the event of a crisis.
Jessica Purvis
MSW, LCSW
Serving all of Kentucky
Phone: 859-338-0466
Kimberly Gray
LCSW
Richmond In Person & Serving all of Kentucky by Telehealth
Phone: 859-338-0466
Kelly McArthur
LCSW
Serving all of Kentucky
Phone: 859-338-0466
Jessica Guidry
LPCC
Serving all of Kentucky
Phone: 859-338-0466
Rachel Held
LPCC, CADC
Frankfort In Person & Serving all of Kentucky by Telehealth
Phone: 859-338-0466
What do Online Counseling, Teletherapy & Online Therapy Require?
To ensure Online Counseling services will work properly, certain equipment will be needed to ensure the best quality possible. A computer, phone, or tablet with a speaker, microphone, and camera will all be necessary for telecommunication. Additionally, you will need to have access to high speed internet. Before your session with your clinician, closing all other browsers and applications helps to ensure the best connection possible
Staying Mentally Healthy
The Covid-19 pandemic might have created a new way of living for many of us. If your mental health is suffering during this time, you are not alone. Maybe it is causing increased anxiety, depression, fear or panic. Whatever you are feeling, it is valid and you are not alone. Our offices are open and ready to help the residents of KY get through this challenging time. We are offering Telehealth and in person therapy!
Providers on this page are TELEHEALTH ONLY!
New Clients
- Complete the telehealth informed consent form. This will be sent to you via email by your therapist or you may click here and complete-Telehealth Consent.
- If you are a new client, you will also need to complete our new client paperwork here-New Client Paperwork. Both will be sent automatically to your provider
- Prior to your first telehealth session please make sure you have a good WIFI connection and are using one of the following browsers: Safari 11+, Chrome, or Firefox. In some cases, you may pull into our office parking lot and use ours.
- It is recommended to try to develop a clinical space for your session. This can include: going to a safe space (car, bedroom, office, parking lot, etc.) or turning on a fan, sound machine, music, or wearing headphones to help ensure privacy and comfort.
- Your therapist will send a link via email or text that will connect you to your session prior to your scheduled appointment. You can expect this a few minutes before your session begins. In most telehealth platforms being used, you will not need to set anything up and will only need to provide your name and or email address. If you clinician is a little behind, that might be normal. Feel free to call/text/email them and or communicate by whatever means they have established. If you have not received any communication 10 minutes after your scheduled time, please call the main office number for that location. You can find that here-Office Phone Numbers.
- Sessions are subject to your normal in person copay or deductible, which is due at the time of service. Length of sessions will be 50mins to 1 hour. Check with your insurance to make sure your services are covered.
As a practice, we are taking every necessary precaution to ensure the health and safety of our clients and staff. For nearly 20 years we have been helping people reach their goals and we are whole heartily committed to this, and are finding new ways to ensure we are providing quality care to our clients during this time.
We hope you continue to stay healthy and find methods to react and cope to the uncertainty in positive and healthy ways. Below are a few of our suggestions in coping with Covid-19 anxieties to help find calm in the chaos.
Self care and Coping Strategies
- Develop a stable routine. This can include going to bed and waking up around the same time each day, organizing/structuring hobbies throughout the week, and creating a workspace for yourself.
- Move your body daily, for at least 30 minutes. If you are uncomfortable being outside, search YouTube, Google, or the app store for applications available.
- Stay connected with friends and loved ones via FaceTime, Skype, emails, text messages, etc. Reach out daily to your support network.
- Practice gratitude daily. This can include making a list of things you are grateful for, going on a walk and stating gratitude lists or positive mantras, as well as focus on the scenery around you (what you feel, see, smell, hear), write a letter to someone you are grateful for, etc.
- Feed your body, mind, and soul with positivity. This can be done by ensuring you are staying hydrated and eating a balanced diet, journaling thoughts and emotions, and reconnecting with any spiritual and or religious beliefs.
- Limit social media and Covid conversations. It is important to stay informed but limiting news or overconsumption of negative news is equally important.
- Engage in positive self hygiene strategies. Continue to shower, get dressed, and maintain a regular positive hygiene routine. Dress up for you and your loved ones.
- Find the lesson. This crisis can seem sad, senseless, and frustrating. Despite this, it is beneficial to find meaning in it all. Ask yourself what might need to change in ourselves, our homes, our communities, and our world.
Benefits
There are many benefits to Telehealth and Teletherapy. Some of these include more flexibility in scheduling, increased connivence and comfortability, and greater access to mental health care. The impact of coronavirus is not just affecting physical health around the world, but mental health as well. Alliterative methods to therapy at this time are important to help manage increased mental health concerns during this time. Telehealth and online therapy allow for secure, realtime two way communication from anywhere in Kentucky.
