But the reality is, that voice isn’t yours. Not really.

It might live inside your head. But it moved in a long time ago—before you were old enough to realize the door was open.

Let’s talk about where it came from, what it’s doing there, and how to stop letting it drive.

Where That Voice Begins

No one’s born with an inner critic. Babies don’t worry if they’re “doing it right.” They cry when they’re hungry, laugh when they’re happy, and fall without shame. But somewhere along the way, you started changing yourself.

Maybe it was a parent who always pointed out what you should have done instead. Maybe it was a teacher who embarrassed you in front of a class. Maybe it was just the culture around you that said, “You’ll be worthy when you achieve XYZ.”

Basically, your brain took notes.

And because your brain is wired for survival not happiness, it built a filter to keep you safe. “Don’t speak up, people will judge.” “Work harder, or you’re falling behind.” “Don’t rest you haven’t earned it.”

The critic, believe it or not, is trying to protect you. It’s just doing a terrible job of it.

What Therapy Actually Does

Most people think therapy is about “thinking more positively.” The goal isn’t to silence the inner critic. You can’t mute thoughts on command and honestly, you don’t need to.

The goal is to hear that voice and recognize it’s not the truth. It’s just noise and old programming.

In therapy, we slow things down. We trace that voice back to where it started. Was it your father’s tone? Your coach’s sarcasm? A moment in fifth grade that never left?

When you realize that voice was learned, something shifts. Because if you learned it, you can unlearn it.

Therapy gives you tools and the space to notice and respond differently. Not by fighting the critic but by stepping around it and choosing a better voice to follow.

You Don’t Need to Erase It, But You Can Lead It

This is usually where people get stuck because they want to “fix” themselves and be done with the negative thoughts. Basically, be free of self-doubt once and for all. But healing doesn’t work like that.

The inner critic may never fully go away because it’s part of the human experience. The difference is, once you’ve done the work it no longer drives your decisions. You become the adult in the room – the calm, grounded one who listens but doesn’t get dragged around by fear.

So, you don’t need to get rid of the critic, you just need to stop allowing it to have the final say.

If You’re Tired of Second-Guessing Yourself
If you’re worn out from overthinking every decision…
If you’re exhausted from constantly changing who you are…
If your inner world feels more like a battleground than a home…

We can help you.

Real, practical tools to understand your patterns, meet them with compassion, and move forward with confidence.

Your self-worth doesn’t need to be earned it needs to be remembered.Ever hear that voice that says, “you’re not good enough”?

Let’s find your voice again. 

*All conversations with our team are strictly confidential.

PVD Psychological Associates specialize in college mental health, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, LGBTQIA+ issues, and relationship difficulties. 

We also see clients for a range of other issues.

If you would like to discuss your needs with a therapist, complete the enquiry form on our Contact page and we’ll call or email you for a confidential chat.

The post Ever hear that voice that says, “you’re not good enough”? appeared first on PVD Psychological Associates.

It’s not that you mind showing up for others in fact, you probably take pride in it. You care deeply and want to be dependable. You don’t want to burden people with your own stuff especially when they seem to be struggling more.

But at some point, the balance tips and you realize you’re running low on something essential: support. Connection. A place to just be, without being “on.”

And that’s not weakness at all, that’s human.

Why It Feels So Heavy

There’s a special kind of emotional fatigue that comes from always being the strong one.

When people consistently turn to you for support, it can start to feel like you’re not allowed to fall apart or even be unsure. You might find yourself hiding your own stress or pushing it down because “other people have it worse” or “this isn’t the time.”

But stress doesn’t go away just because you suppress it. Emotions don’t vanish just because you don’t voice them…they sit quietly and build. And eventually, they show up through exhaustion, irritability, sleepless nights, a tight chest, or that dull, lingering feeling of disconnection.

Even the strongest people need to be seen, and the listeners need to be heard.

What Happens When You Don’t Have Anyone to Talk To

When you’re carrying everything alone, it eventually takes a toll.

Feeling emotionally isolated: You could be surrounded by people at work and home, even on your phone and still feel totally alone. Because connection isn’t about proximity it’s about being understood. So, when you don’t have anyone who really gets you, it creates a deep sense of emotional distance.

Your stress stays stuck: Talking helps process emotions. It gives your brain a chance to make sense of things and when you don’t have that outlet, your stress has nowhere to go. It stays bottled up, which can lead to physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and muscle tension or emotional ones like numbness, anxiety, or burnout.

You lose your sense of self: Always being there for others can make you forget what you need. Over time, your identity can start to revolve around being helpful and while that role is meaningful, it’s not all you are. Without space to reflect or be vulnerable, it’s easy to forget your own voice in the noise of everyone else’s.

You might start to resent the people you love: Even if you love the people in your life, emotional imbalance can create quiet resentment. When you’re constantly supporting others and no one’s asking how you’re doing, that imbalance hurts. But it’s okay to admit that.

What Happens When You Do Have Someone to Talk To

The difference is like night and day.

You feel seen: Being able to say what you’re feeling, without filtering or minimizing, is powerful. It reminds you that you matter too, that your thoughts, emotions, and experiences are just as valid as the ones you’re always listening to.

You get perspective: When you’re in your own head too long, thoughts start to loop. Worries echo and doubts grow but talking it out with someone you trust, whether that’s a therapist, a close friend or a partner can break that loop. It helps you see the bigger picture, clarify what’s bothering you, and make decisions with exactness.

You refill your emotional tank: Support isn’t just about solving problems. Sometimes it’s just knowing someone has your back and that you don’t have to carry it all alone. That feeling recharges you and makes it easier to keep showing up for others without sacrificing yourself in the process.

You reconnect with yourself: Having someone to talk to creates space to reflect, to feel and to understand where you are right now in life. And from that space, you start to reconnect with what you want and what you might need to change.

It’s Okay to Need Help Too

There’s still a stigma around asking for help, especially for people who are used to being the “strong one.” The idea that asking for help means you’re not coping well enough and that vulnerability equals weakness.

Let’s be clear: that’s not true.

You’re not less capable because you need support and you’re not any less worthy because you feel overwhelmed. You are human though and we’re wired for connection not performance.

We need places where we can take off the mask, where we don’t have to fix anything and where we can just be messy/ tired/ confused/ hopeful…

That’s what talking to someone can give you.

If you’ve been the rock for everyone else, and you’re starting to feel like you’re crumbling underneath, you deserve a space that’s just for you.

Whether that means therapy, a support group, or simply taking time out to speak honestly with someone you trust, just make it a priority. Because your well-being matters just as much as anyone else’s.

And maybe even more because people are counting on you.

Need someone to talk to? We’re here. Confidential. Compassionate. Judgment-free.

*All conversations with our team are strictly confidential.

PVD Psychological Associates specialize in college mental health, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, LGBTQIA+ issues, and relationship difficulties. 

We also see clients for a range of other issues.If you would like to discuss your needs with a therapist, complete the enquiry form on our Contact page and we’ll call or email you for a confidential chat.

The post When You’re the One Everyone Talks To… But You’ve Got No One to Talk To appeared first on PVD Psychological Associates.

Why?

Machines Don’t Do Empathy

AI doesn’t actually feel anything. That might sound obvious, but it’s easy to forget when you’re chatting with something that responds quickly and always has a neat little answer. But there’s a big difference between hearing words and feeling heard. A real therapist – a trained clinical psychologist – does more than just give advice. They listen. Deeply. They notice things in your body language, your tone, even the way you pause mid-sentence. They pick up on patterns, make connections, and respond not just with facts, but with care, context, and actual human emotion.

An algorithm can’t do that. It doesn’t know what it means when someone sits on the edge of the couch, arms folded tight, eyes darting to the floor. A human therapist does.

Therapy Is More Than Just Talking

One of the biggest myths people believe is that therapy is just about “venting.” Like it’s a glorified diary. But real therapy – the kind that leads to real change – is structured, guided, and based on years of research, experience, and clinical judgment. Therapists are trained to navigate the messy stuff. Trauma. Anxiety. Depression. Grief. Addiction. Relationship breakdowns. The things that can’t be solved by a motivational quote or a generic breathing exercise.

AI might offer a script, but it won’t challenge you when you need to be challenged. It won’t gently redirect you when you’re going in circles. It won’t sit with you in uncomfortable silence until the truth shows up. That’s human work.

There’s a Risk You Might Not See

Now here’s where it gets risky. If someone is struggling – and I mean really struggling – AI might give them the illusion that they’re getting support, but it won’t notice red flags. It won’t pick up on things like suicidal ideation and it won’t recognize signs of abuse. It won’t know when someone is dissociating mid-conversation, but a good psychologist will. Because they’ve been trained to.

And if you’re using AI when you actually need real help, you could be delaying – or worse, replacing the support that could save your life.

What Patients Actually Want – And Why They Keep Coming Back

As a practice of psychologists, we’ve worked with hundreds of patients over the years. And the thing we hear most often isn’t, “Thanks for fixing me.” It’s, “Thanks for seeing me.” Really seeing them – as a full person. 

People come back because they feel safe and because therapy gives them something no app ever will: a human relationship built on trust, confidentiality, and real connection. When people feel safe, they heal. Slowly, yes and sometimes painfully.

Having Said That – AI Isn’t Useless

AI can be useful; it just shouldn’t be used as your therapist.

Used alongside real therapy, AI tools can help you practice mindfulness, track your mood, remind you to take meds, and guide you through breathing exercises. These can be great supplements alongside therapy. 

So, how can you actually use AI in a healthy way?

Journaling apps that track your thoughts over time.
Mood trackers that give you patterns your therapist can help interpret.
Breathing and meditation guides to ground you between sessions.
Reminders to reinforce habits and routines you’ve set in therapy.

Mental health is personal and so requires the sensitivity of a therapist.

So, if you’ve been scrolling late at night, typing into a bot because it feels easier than talking to someone – we do understand. But don’t forget, you deserve a space that’s yours and a therapist who knows your name and who walks with you through it all.

Real therapy is still the gold standard because it works.

So, if you’re thinking about getting support, try talking to a human. We’re still the best ones for the job.

*All conversations with our team are strictly confidential.

PVD Psychological Associates specialize in college mental health, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, LGBTQIA+ issues, and relationship difficulties. 

We also see clients for a range of other issues.

If you would like to discuss your needs with a therapist, complete the enquiry form on our Contact page and we’ll call or email you for a confidential chat.

The post Why AI Can’t Diagnose Your Trauma appeared first on PVD Psychological Associates.

When you enjoy what you do, or at the very least, feel good about it, your mental health benefits. Your relationships improve, your body feels better, and your confidence grows. But when your job feels like a slow drain on your energy, day after day, that’s when problems start stacking up.

Let’s talk about what job satisfaction actually does for us, and why it’s more important than most people think.

When You Like Your Job, Everything Works Better

When people say, “I love my job,” they’re not bragging. They’re usually healthier, happier, and more emotionally resilient than people who dread Monday mornings.

This is what happens when your work feels meaningful or enjoyable:

1. You handle stress better – Jobs come with pressure, we know this. But people who feel satisfied at work tend to cope better. They don’t spiral after a bad meeting they bounce back faster after a setback. Now that’s not luck, it’s because they’re invested in the work and it gives them a sense of purpose, which cushions the blow of stress.
2. Your relationships improve – If you come home exhausted, frustrated, or checked out from a job you hate, it doesn’t stay at the office. It leaks into your conversations, your mood, and the way you show up for people. On the flip side, when you’re in a role that fulfills you, you tend to bring that positive energy home with you. Your patience increases, you listen more and argue less.
3. You feel more confident. – Being good at something and feeling like your skills are being used boosts self-esteem. When your job aligns with your strengths or interests, you naturally feel more capable. You trust your decisions and speak up more. That spills over into other areas of life too, not just your career.
4. You stay healthier: mentally and physically – Chronic dissatisfaction at work is linked to anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and even weakened immune systems. On the other hand, people who like their jobs report fewer stress-related health issues. They sleep better, move more and take better care of themselves.

What Happens When You Don’t Like Your Job

No one expects every day at work to feel amazing. But when the bad days outnumber the good, and it starts to feel permanent? That’s when it becomes a problem.

1. Burnout becomes the baseline – You don’t need to work 80-hour weeks to burn out. Emotional burnout happens when the work itself feels meaningless or disconnected from who you are. If you’re constantly doing tasks that drain you, under a boss who doesn’t support you, burnout creeps in quietly and stays.

2. You lose your sense of direction – A job that doesn’t fit can make you question everything: your skills, your worth, your career path. Over time, people just stop growing and stop trying and eventually, they stop caring. That can lead to a sense of hopelessness, even outside of work.

3. Your personal life starts to suffer – It’s not just about long hours. If your work leaves you mentally wiped out, it affects how you connect with the people you care about. You may withdraw, become irritable, or feel like you have nothing left to give by the end of the day.

4. Your health takes a hit – Mental stress from job dissatisfaction can manifest physically like tight shoulders, migraines, gut issues, low energy. When your body is constantly stuck in fight-or-flight mode, it takes a toll. And that toll adds up over time.

So… Should You Quit?

Not necessarily. But you do owe it to yourself to take job satisfaction seriously.

Some people need to switch roles or industries entirely. Others might find that setting boundaries, advocating for themselves, or finding purpose in their current role is enough. Everyone’s situation is different, but one thing is consistent: ignoring the problem doesn’t make it go away.

We’ve worked with clients who came to therapy because they thought something was “wrong with them”: low energy, high anxiety, mood swings only to realize the root cause was their job. Once they understood that, they started making choices that aligned better with what they valued.

That’s not always easy, but it’s worth it.

Your job doesn’t have to be your passion. It doesn’t need to be the thing you’d do for free on weekends, but it does need to feel right for you and only you can define what that looks like.

You can start by asking yourself:

Does my job give me energy or drain it?
Am I proud of the work I do?
Do I feel respected and challenged in the right ways?
Can I see myself doing this, happily, for another year?

If your answers are mostly no, maybe it’s time to explore what “yes” could look like.

If you’re struggling with job stress, burnout, or trying to figure out what’s next, we’re here to help. Reach out. Let’s talk about how to build a life and career that supports your mental health not one that slowly breaks it down.

*All conversations with our team are strictly confidential.

PVD Psychological Associates specialize in college mental health, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, LGBTQIA+ issues, and relationship difficulties.

We also see clients for a range of other issues.

If you would like to discuss your needs with a therapist, complete the enquiry form on our Contact page and we’ll call or email you for a confidential chat.

The post Why Job Satisfaction is Important appeared first on PVD Psychological Associates.

An eating disorder is both a battle with food and within the mind, shaping the way a person sees themselves and how they feel. It can start subtly, like cutting back on certain foods, skipping meals, exercising a bit more every day or even binge eating, and it can escalate quickly. For the person with the disorder, it can feel impossible to escape.

What are the Symptoms of an Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders come in different forms. Some people restrict their food intake, while others binge and purge, and some feel compelled to overeat beyond comfort. It’s not always visible from the outside, but it’s an emotional and physical affecting disorder.

Some common signs include:

1. Constant worrying about weight, calories, or food intake.
2. Avoiding meals or making excuses to skip eating.
3. Feeling guilt or shame after eating.
4. Compulsive exercise, often to “make up” for eating.
5. Extreme mood swings, irritability, or withdrawal from social situations.
6. Physical changes like dizziness, fatigue, hair thinning, or digestive issues.

Remember, eating disorders don’t always present the same way in every person. Some people become hyper-focused on “clean eating” to the point where they fear certain foods. Others may secretly binge, feeling out of control and overwhelmed afterwards.

How Can you Stop an Eating Disorder?

Sadly, it’s not that simple. It’s easy to believe that stopping disordered eating habits is just about willpower. That if someone simply tried harder, they could fix it on their own. But eating disorders are rooted in deeper emotional struggles like perfectionism, control, trauma, or self-worth issues, so therapy plays such an important role in recovery.

Our specially trained therapists can help sufferers get to the root cause of what’s driving the behaviors. We understand that providing tools to carefully challenge and break away from destructive habits, and to rebuild a healthier relationship with food and the body, is critical for recovery. Therapy allows you space to explore your fears, address past experiences, and develop coping strategies that don’t revolve around restriction or guilt.

We ensure that recovery is at your pace, and we work alongside any other medical professionals you need to make sure you achieve your goal. Someone experiencing disordered eating may require the help of psychological, nutritional and specialist medical professionals for a complete treatment plan.

Eating disorders are reported to affect several million people globally at any one time, at any age. Some widely known disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and other specified feeding and eating disorder (OSFED).

*All conversations with our team are strictly confidential.

PVD Psychological Associates specialize in college mental health, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, LGBTQIA+ issues, and relationship difficulties.

 We also see clients for a range of other issues.

 If you would like to discuss your needs with a therapist, complete the enquiry form on our Contact page and we’ll call or email you for a confidential chat.

The post What is an Eating Disorder? appeared first on PVD Psychological Associates.

Do you know someone who’s constantly forgetting appointments, losing track of tasks at work, and feeling like their brain just won’t cooperate? They might even have been labeled “lazy” or “unmotivated” their entire life, but deep down, they and you know, it’s not that simple.

Struggles with attention, memory, or problem-solving can leave anyone feeling defeated. When you don’t understand what’s causing these challenges, it’s hard to know what to do next.

In circumstances such as these, we suggest neuropsychological evaluations, especially when there’s confusion as to why a child or adult has been suffering. These assessments look for the cause of problems and raise actionable solutions.

The Frustration of Not Knowing

When someone close to you is struggling with learning or behavior challenges, the ripple effects can touch every part of their life. Kids may face constant criticism at school, feel left out socially, or develop anxiety because they can’t keep up with their peers. Adults may feel stuck in their careers, struggle to maintain relationships, or battle low self-esteem because they believe they’re the problem.

The lack of answers can make everything worse, and parents often feel helpless, unsure how to properly support their child. Adults may avoid seeking help altogether, worried they’ll be dismissed or misunderstood. Without a clear understanding of what’s going on, those suffering can get caught in this cycle of frustration and blame.

What Is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?

A neuropsychological evaluation is like a detailed map of how someone’s brain works. It’s a series of tests that assess cognitive abilities, emotional functioning, and behavior. The tests explore things like memory, attention, language skills, problem-solving, and more.

For example, a child who struggles in school might take tests that assess reading comprehension, working memory, and processing speed. An adult with memory concerns might undergo assessments to evaluate attention and executive functioning. The goal is to identify strengths and weaknesses, providing a comprehensive picture of how their brain operates.

How Evaluations Help

For Parents:

Meet Lisa, whose 9-year-old son, Jacob, has been falling behind in school. Teachers say he’s bright but unfocused, and homework turns into nightly battles. Lisa feels guilty, wondering if she’s doing something wrong as a parent. After a neuropsychological evaluation, they discover that Jacob has ADHD and a specific learning disorder affecting his reading. With this information, Jacob’s teachers can adjust his curriculum, and Lisa learns strategies to support him at home. Finally, the tension eases, and Jacob begins to feel more confident in himself.

For Adults:

Mike is a 35-year-old project manager who constantly misses deadlines at work. He’s been labeled “disorganized” and feels like a failure. A neuropsychological evaluation reveals that Mike has undiagnosed executive functioning challenges, likely stemming from ADHD. Armed with this information, Mike works with his employer to implement tools like task management apps and adjusts his workload to play to his strengths. For the first time ever, he feels like he can keep up and even excel at his job.

Why Evaluations Matter

By understanding how the brain processes information, parents, educators, and individuals themselves can focus on making changes that improve their daily life.

For children, these evaluations can lead to personalized education plans, therapy interventions, or accommodations that reduce frustration and help them succeed.

For adults, they offer a clear picture for long-standing issues and open the door to new strategies or treatments that can make life feel manageable again.

The process might seem daunting, but it’s often the key to breaking the cycle. The evaluations are thorough, making sure no stone is left unturned. And while the findings may feel overwhelming at first, they’re the first step towards meaningful change.

Taking the First Step

If you or someone you love has been struggling without answers, contact us to discuss a neuropsychological evaluation. It’s not about assigning blame or finding flaws it’s about understanding what’s really going on and building a way forward. Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can make the right moves to address it.

Neuropsychological, psychological, and achievement testing is available for those aged 7 and older.

PVD Psychological Associates specialize in college mental health, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, LGBTQIA+ issues, and relationship difficulties.

We also see clients for a range of other issues.

 If you would like to discuss your needs with a therapist, complete the enquiry form on our Contact page and we’ll call or email you for a confidential chat.

The post Worried Your Child Might Have Autism? appeared first on PVD Psychological Associates.

In short, it is completely reasonable to have concerns about what the fall and winter will bring. Now is a good time to think about coping strategies to use during that time and start to mentally prepare.

8 CBT and DBT Skills To Use This Fall And Winter:

1. Cope Ahead. I recommend trying to cope ahead for the season change. The more you worry about a negative outcome, the more you mentally rehearse that scenario. It can be very helpful to plan ahead for encountering some challenges and then using coping skills successfully. Picture yourself struggling with a scenario and using coping skills to manage. For example, if there’s a high likelihood you will have less social interaction, imagine the feelings of loneliness you can reasonably expect and then imagine yourself taking steps to mitigate those feelings like connecting virtually with others, spending time with a pet, and curling up with a blanket to watch a comedy or “feel good” movie.
2. Make A Schedule. In general, having a schedule is extremely helpful for all individuals. Try to stick to a daily schedule with relatively consistent sleep and wake up times as well as regular meal times. Plan some activities and jot them down so you can give yourself credit for what you have accomplished. Having a sense of accomplishment or mastery can go a long way in boosting your mood.
3. Use Behavioral Activation. The premise behind behavioral activation is that by increasing your activity level and potential to experience positive emotions you will receive positive reinforcement that in turn will boost your mood. When you wake up, try to get as much natural light as possible. Consider getting a light box. Shower and get ready as you normally would even if staying home all day. Try to get outside at least once per day. Incorporate physical activity into your routine in whatever way possible. Listen to upbeat music and plan to do things you enjoy.
4. Get Professional Help. Seek out therapy in advance. Therapy is more accessible than ever as it is available online. Find a therapist. Please see our Free Guide on “How To Find The Right Therapist.”
5. Find Something to Look Forward To. It can help a lot to plan things to look forward to (even if in the very remote future) or if they are small things. During this time it can be easy to fall into a lull of monotony and that can be a downer. If you plan something in the future then you have something to count down to.
6. Decorate. Make your home as aesthetically pleasing as possible by utilizing the five senses! Get some candles that smell good or use aromatherapy. Find some pillows with different textures and get a really soft and cozy blanket. Weighted blankets can also be soothing.
7. Distinguish Thought from Reality. Your thoughts and the language you use when “talking to yourself” have a direct impact on your emotional state. Watch out for extreme language like “always, never, totally, 100% and not at all.” Also look out for catastrophizing or awfulizing language which indicates that you are jumping to conclusions and assuming the worst. Statements involving conviction about something that hasn’t yet happened is a good red flag for this. For example: “This is going to be the worst winter ever.” “No one will be available and I will be completely alone.” Once you’ve identified these thoughts, it can help to label them as thoughts and remind yourself that it is not reality. Furthermore, you do not need to believe everything you think. Replacing a thought like “This is going to be the worst winter ever” with “I am having the thought that this will be a rough winter.” This can create some distance between yourself and the thought which can help you to take a step back.
8. Cognitive Restructuring. You can also acknowledge that you’re catastrophizing or being extreme in your thinking and make appropriate modifications. Even something subtle like replacing a definitive statement about the future with “there is a high likelihood that…” can help. A good general rule of thumb is to try to be skeptical of your own thoughts and make small modifications as you can. This will have a cumulative effect.

Do your best to try out some of these strategies. The thing with coping skills is that not everything works for everyone so it is important to find out what will work best for you. Hint: it is not always what you think! Try to be open to trying these coping skills in advance and then you’ll not only know what will help but it won’t be the first time you try to use the skill when you need it. And give yourself a pat on the back for planning ahead to make this a better fall and winter.

The post 8 CBT and DBT Skills To Use This Fall And Winter appeared first on PVD Psychological Associates.

Now, in our world in which COVID-19 exists, almost all therapy is being delivered online and therapists and clients are enjoying it! Aside from the obvious current benefit of avoiding transmission of COVID, the forced practice of exclusively online therapy has revealed many of its positive aspects.

One set of benefits relates to access of care. When seeing therapists online, clients have access to specialists they would not otherwise be able to reasonably see. Additionally, some communities and areas of our country have a lack of access to care due to a shortage of therapists. Other communities (usually major cities) may have plenty of therapists but still not enough to meet demand leading to long wait times. Also, finding a therapist who is a good fit can be a bit easier if a client has a wider net to cast when searching.

Another positive aspect of Teletherapy is convenience. This is often the most obvious factor that many consider. It just can be a hassle to get to a therapist’s office if coordination with public transportation or looking for parking is part of the equation. Using teletherapy in whichever location the client chooses also eliminates commute time and taking weather that limits travel into consideration. Teletherapy also allows for more privacy before and after sessions. Seeing strangers after a particularly intense session or while waiting for your session on a really bad day is also nothing anyone wants to experience. For those in smaller communities who want to remain discrete, this solves an obvious problem.

Lastly, there are some unique and interesting bonuses we have discovered about online therapy during the time of COVID. Teletherapy allows for more “in the moment” intervention which improves coping skills use and application. Especially when clients are having a hard time, a teletherapy session allows client and therapist to talk through things in real time and get a practical plan in place that someone can immediately implement (often taking that first step with the support of their therapist). It also can be very useful to see clients in their own environment. This sometimes gives insight into dynamics at home with partners, family members, or roommates and allows therapists to be even more helpful.

Is teletherapy here to stay? I definitely hope so! We have some challenges to work through such as extended insurance coverage of telehealth services, but as we are all adjusting to our “new normal,” I hope teletherapy is part of it!

The post Is Telehealth The Future of Therapy? appeared first on PVD Psychological Associates.