Questions People Ask
How Online Therapy Works
If you have never done counseling by video, it is natural to wonder how it works and whether it will feel strange. Here is the practical side, from the first link to the last minute of a session.
The Basics
All of my sessions happen by secure video. There is no office and no waiting room. Each session is fifty minutes, and you join from wherever you have privacy, as long as you are physically in Texas at the time.
Everything runs through a SimplePractice client portal: scheduling, intake paperwork, invoices and secure messaging. Nothing clinical travels over ordinary email, which keeps your information in a system built for health records.
Before Your First Session
After your free consultation, you will get a secure link and a couple of standard forms to complete in the portal. Handling paperwork beforehand means the session itself can be about you, not clipboards. Here is what you will need on the day:
- A phone, tablet or computer with a camera and microphone.
- A steady internet connection.
- A charged device, or a charger within reach.
- Headphones, if anyone else is nearby.
Finding a Private Spot
Privacy matters more than the room itself. A sign on the door, a fan or white-noise app running outside it, and a word to the people you live with can all buy you an uninterrupted hour. Places that tend to work well:
- A bedroom or home office with the door closed.
- A parked car, which can be surprisingly private.
- A reserved study room on campus.
- A quiet room at work, if you trust that it is private.
The best room for counseling is the one where you can actually relax. For a lot of people, that room is already at home.
Staying Connected
Technology occasionally hiccups. A few simple habits reduce the chances: close other apps that use bandwidth, sit close to your router, and keep your phone handy in case you need a backup connection such as a hotspot. If you live somewhere with spotty service, testing your setup with a quick video call to a friend beforehand is a good idea.
The Texas Location Rule
I am licensed in Texas, so you need to be physically located in Texas during each session. That applies even if you live here: if you are traveling out of state, we wait to meet until you are back. It is a licensing requirement rather than a preference. My page on online therapy anywhere in Texas explains it in more detail.
Is It as Good as Meeting in Person?
For most of the work I do, video sessions work well, and they remove obstacles like travel, traffic and childcare that can make it hard to keep showing up. It can also be easier to open up from a space that already feels like yours.
If I ever think a higher level of care or an in-person service would serve you better, I will tell you honestly. You can find more practical answers on the FAQ page, and fees are explained on rates.
Common Questions
- Is video counseling private?
- Sessions run through SimplePractice, a system built for health records, rather than an everyday video app. Your part of the privacy is the space you choose: a closed door, headphones and a moment to make sure nobody can overhear.
- Can I have a session on my phone?
- Yes, as long as the camera and microphone work and your connection is steady. A small stand, or somewhere to prop the phone, helps so you are not holding it for fifty minutes.
- What should I do right before a session?
- Get to your private spot a few minutes early, open the secure link, and check your camera and sound. Silence notifications, keep some water nearby, and give yourself a minute to settle. Starting calm makes the fifty minutes feel more like yours.
- What if I am outside Texas on the day of a session?
- Then we reschedule for when you are back. Because my license is in Texas, sessions can only happen while you are physically located here.
- Does online therapy work for teens?
- It can work well, since many teens are comfortable on video. A private room at home matters, and parents can help by protecting that hour. My page on therapy for teens in Texas has more.
Try It From Wherever You Are
Book a free consultation by phone or video and see how it feels. If you have questions about the setup, ask them on the call.