Thinking about trying online therapy, also known as telecounseling? You probably have a lot of questions about whether online therapy really helps, how it works and whether it would be a good fit for you.

At Day One: A Program of Oakland Family Services, we have found that online therapy is beneficial for many people coping with mental health and substance use issues. It even removes some of the barriers that can keep people from seeking in-person help. Learn more from Day One clinician Amy Hostinsky, LMSW, CAADC, as she answers some of the most frequently asked questions about online therapy and how it works at Day One.

Q: Does online therapy work just as well as in-person therapy?

A: I believe it does. While it can feel a bit different, the benefits of therapy are still there. You still have the opportunity to discuss your feelings, worries and emotions with someone who can listen objectively and will not judge you.

Q: What opportunities does online therapy offer, as opposed to in-person therapy?

A: Online therapy has helped those who may not have the easiest time accessing transportation. You have the opportunity to stay at home without having to worry about getting a ride to an appointment. You also don’t have to factor in drive time to and from your appointment, which is especially important if you are taking time off work for counseling. Another benefit is that if you remember at the last second that you have an appointment, you can just hop on and log in, instead of having to reschedule because you wouldn’t have enough time to drive to the physical office. You can also continue with a therapist you have grown comfortable with if you move farther away. My clients have enjoyed being able to continue their therapy even when traveling to another part of Michigan or moving farther away within Michigan. Also, clients who have children do not have to worry about finding childcare, which has been very helpful.

Q: What types of clients are a good fit for online therapy?

A: I think anyone can be a good fit for online therapy! I think it can be hard to imagine therapy in a way that is different from stereotypical, “traditional” therapy, which involves being in an office and sitting face-to-face with another person. We work to make online therapy feel similar to in-person therapy.

Q: Does online therapy work for kids?

A: Yes! I am finding that kids are enjoying the online aspect of therapy now. They love the opportunity to show off some of their favorite toys, books and other aspects of their personality that they may not get to show in an office setting. There are also wonderful online games and other activities that kids and therapists can engage in together. Personally, I will also say the transition to online services has shown me there are more emojis out there than I thought! It is fun for kids to have another way to express themselves, and they often feel more comfortable communicating online.

Q: Are there any downsides to online therapy? Are there any situations where online therapy may not be the best fit?

A: Online therapy may not be a good fit if you do not have as much privacy as you would like in your home. It can be hard to talk about certain aspects of your life if other people are around. If you feel as though you need the face-to-face contact with another person and the ability to get out of your home as part of your self-care routine, then face-to-face therapy might be a better fit for you. We do recommend face-to-face therapy for clients who are higher risk, for example, those struggling with suicidal ideation or severe substance use issues. If you feel as though you have risk factors in your life preventing you from taking part in online therapy, please let a Day One staff member know.

Q: What equipment and software does a client need to participate in online therapy through Day One?

A: All you need is a cell phone, tablet or computer with a data or WiFi connection. Oakland Family Services uses Zoom — set up to be confidential and HIPAA-compliant — to engage in online therapy. On our website, you will find links to all of our providers. When it’s time for your appointment, click on the numbers next to your therapist’s name, and you will go right into their Zoom waiting room. There is also a way to call into Zoom using a telephone, though not all insurance companies cover telephonic appointments.

Q: What insurances does Day One accept? Does insurance cover online therapy appointments?

A: Day One accepts most private health insurances, as well as Medicare, Medicaid, Medicaid HMOs and Healthy MI. During the COVID-19 pandemic, most insurance companies are covering online counseling appointments. To ask whether Day One accepts your insurance, call (248) 858-7766. You will also want to check with your insurance company to determine whether your specific plan covers online therapy.

Q: When COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, can clients transition to in-person therapy with the same therapist?

A: Yes, this is one of my favorite aspects of telecounseling at Day One. All of our therapists will be able to transition to face-to-face appointments once restrictions are lifted. This means the therapist you are comfortable with and have built a relationship with will be able to see you in the office as well. Likewise, clients who we were seeing before the pandemic were able to transition to online therapy with their same therapists. This also means that if there were to be a need to return to online therapy in the future (such as a spike in coronavirus cases), you would continue to see your same therapist.

Q: Will Day One continue offering online therapy appointments after the COVID-19 pandemic is over?

A: Day One was providing online therapy before the pandemic and will continue to provide online appointments once the pandemic is over for those whose health insurance company continues to cover this method of providing therapy. Historically, though, health insurance companies have preferred to pay for face-to-face service provision. We are monitoring all government recommendations and insurance policies to help allow clients the most options for treatment. We also recommend that clients continue to communicate with their insurance provider regarding the status of telecounseling coverage. At Day One, we have found online therapy to be helpful in making therapy easier to access for most people.

Day One works with clients of all ages to address mental health and substance use issues. We are now actively accepting new clients for online counseling. To schedule an appointment, please call (248) 858-7766 or fill out the form at https://bit.ly/DayOneishere.

Hi! My name is Amy Hostinsky, and I am a Day One clinician and intern institute supervisor at Oakland Family Services’ Pontiac office. I have been at Oakland Family Services for just over two years, and it has been a wonderful experience. I began in the social work field in 2008, working in inpatient substance use disorder treatment settings.  After earning my master's degree in social work, I moved to outpatient counseling, working with adults who were referred by the court system. After doing that work for six years, I moved to Oakland Family Services, where I now work with clients ages 12 and up who have mental health or substance misuse concerns.