Is Telehealth Therapy Right For You or Your Relationship?

An Overview to Exploring Telehealth for Individual or Couples Therapy

Brittany Garcia, LCPC

As Restorative Connections Counseling has been working to expand, we have had a lot of expected and unexpected changes, one being an increase in telehealth options. There have been a range of reactions from contacts looking for therapy to find currently our immediate openings are telehealth, and I thought it would be a great time to talk about the pros and cons of telehealth and why I sincerely think it can be a better option for some, although I will be the first to say that it often is not! There are a lot of factors to consider that can be further discussed with your therapist, but here is an overview!

Taking the first step toward therapy is a powerful decision—and figuring out how to access support is just as important as deciding to begin. In today’s world, therapy doesn’t always happen in a traditional office setting. More and more people are getting the care they need through telehealth, connecting with licensed therapists through secure video sessions from the comfort of their own space.
But how do you know if telehealth is the right fit for you?

This guide will walk you through some of the most common questions and concerns, and help you decide if starting therapy virtually is the next right step on your mental health journey.

First Things First: 
Telehealth sessions are just as confidential, professional, and intentional as in-person sessions. For many people, it’s a flexible, accessible, and effective way to receive support.
EMDR is available and generally equally effective via telehealth. I have been trained in and provided EMDR adapted for telehealth since becoming an EMDR provider.

Is Telehealth a Good Fit for You?
Here are a few things to consider when deciding whether teletherapy is right for you:
✅ It might be a great fit if you:

• Live in a rural area or don’t have easy access to local providers
• Have a busy schedule or can’t take time off work to travel to an office. Many clients do telehealth sessions between appointments or during their lunch breaks. 
• Feel more comfortable or SAFE talking from your own home or private space
• Struggle with mobility, chronic illness, or transportation barriers
• Want to reduce the stigma or anxiety of walking into a therapist’s office
• Appreciate the flexibility and privacy of virtual care. Sometimes, you feel better having a therapist outside of your community.
• Need access to care within a certain specialty that you cannot find in your area. I maintain licensure in Idaho where I do a lot of work with religious trauma and EMDR with individuals who have struggled to find support. 

If any of those sound familiar, telehealth could be an empowering and convenient option.

🤔 It might not be ideal if:

• You don’t have a reliable internet connection or a private place to talk
• You’re in a mental health crisis and need intensive, in-person support
• You find it hard to focus or connect through a screen
• You need services that require being physically present (like certain assessments or body-based therapies)

💞 But what about for couples and relationships? 
I have seen more hesitancy for online therapy from couples. Just like individually, couples therapy online isn't the best fit for everything, but it can be great too.
Couples therapy over telehealth can be a highly effective and accessible way to work on your relationship, especially if busy schedules, travel distance, or childcare make in-person sessions hard to manage. Meeting virtually allows partners to join from separate locations if needed, making it easier to stay consistent with sessions even during hectic times. Many couples find that being in a familiar environment helps reduce stress and encourages more open, honest conversations. Couples work is not for me, but Laurie is experienced and effective in addressing couple's challenges from a virtual setting, and working with clients to address hesitations and barriers around doing so over telehealth. 

All therapists at Restorative Connections Counseling provide telehealth support and we work to build connection over the screen as we recognize that a therapeutic relationship is the start of effective therapy and meeting virtually can be more challenging for many clients. 

💡 Still Not Sure? 

• Schedule a consultation: I generally recommend that clients start with a full initial session to give time to really get into what we are working on, dynamics between yourself and the therapist, and enough information to provide an appropriate referral if it is not a good fit. However, if it is important to you to meet briefly first with your therapist just to get an initial impression that is an option!
• Try a session or two: You don’t have to commit long-term. Trying a few sessions is the best way to see if it’s a good fit. Again, it takes time to build trust and relationship, especially in new ways. If you find that telehealth, or telehealth with your specific therapist aren't meeting your expectations you do not have to continue, and we are happy to support a transition of care. 
• Talk about your concerns: A good therapist will want to know what you’re feeling unsure about—and work with you to make it comfortable. There are so many ways to accommodate and adjust your therapy to make it work for you. Here are some examples of requests I have received over the years to adapt telehealth: 
  • Clients having fidget toys, doodling or doing something with their hands while working. I keep this an option in office too as some people do focus better while fidgeting, and can also be beneficial for grounding.
  • Requesting to adjust so that they are not able to see themselves on video. 
  • Needing to meet from their vehicle, as long as stationed in a safe and private place due to meeting over lunch break, meeting between appointments, or for better privacy than in the home. 
  • Requesting additional help from the therapist to bring the client back from distractions that might not be as present in office- which finding what works there is great therapeutic work in itself that can apply to other areas!

🕊️ Bottom Line: If It Feels Right, Give It a Try
Telehealth therapy isn’t the best fit for everyone, but it is a great fit for many people—especially those seeking convenience, privacy, and flexibility. If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” or “right way” to start therapy, this might be your sign.
Support is closer than you think. No long drive, no waiting room, no pressure—just you, your therapist, and a space to talk.

---

💬 Ready to explore therapy your way?
​Reach out today to ask questions, schedule a consultation, or book your first session. If telehealth feels like a good fit, we’ll make the process simple and welcoming. And if not, we’ll help guide you toward the kind of care that works best for you.
You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
Let’s take the next step—together.