Why Telehealth Works and Why It Might Be Right for You
1. Rethinking the Old-School Therapy Image
When most people picture therapy, a familiar scene comes to mind: someone lying on a couch, with a bespectacled therapist taking notes nearby. It’s almost cinematic - but let’s be real: that’s not therapy in 2025. Sure, the couch still shows up, and yes, therapists still jot things down (sometimes wearing glasses!), but these days, the therapy room can also be your couch… your car… or even your lunch break office nook. The key is that you're safe, you're comfortable, and you're within the state where your therapist is licensed.
Telehealth for therapy used to feel like a futuristic luxury. Today, it’s a trusted part of how many therapists operate - and for some therapists, the only way they see clients. Since COVID, teletherapy has gone from novel to normalized, and in many practices, like mine, it’s now a regular, reliable, and often preferred option.
2. How Telehealth Works at Viridis Counseling
In my practice, it’s nearly a 50/50 split between in-person and telehealth sessions. Some of my clients I’ve never even met face-to-face - but together, we’ve cultivated strong therapeutic bonds and witnessed real, meaningful growth.
Sometimes geography makes telehealth a necessity. I serve folks in cities across Oklahoma who are hours away from my brick-and-mortar office. Teletherapy bridges that gap. For others, telehealth is a functional convenience - letting them attend sessions during a quick work break, instead of trading time commuting.
Life is chaotic. The demands are many. In that kind of environment, offering flexible, private, and safe access through a screen can be the very reason someone continues (or even starts) therapy in the first place.
3. Personal Preferences Matter
That said, therapy is deeply personal - and so are preferences. Some clients thrive in person. They find connection, comfort, and a level of engagement that screens can’t replicate. Camera anxiety, worries about internet glitches, or simply missing the tactile elements of office-based sessions can make telehealth feel off-putting for some.
Telehealth offers anonymity and ease that helps others feel safer. It can reduce the stigma of “going to therapy,” letting people open up from a more familiar environment.
What I’ve noticed, and what research supports, is that usage often hinges on what's most accessible or comfortable for the client that day.
4. Telehealth as an Adaptable Pivot
Another advantage? Flexibility when life or health demands it. I’ve had sessions where I wasn’t feeling well and didn’t want to risk working in person. Telehealth lets me keep caring for my clients while respecting everyone's health. The flip side? I've had clients feel under the weather, and if they had the capacity, they joined a virtual session instead of canceling entirely.
It’s this flexibility that uplifts the therapeutic process when schedules shift, symptoms flare, or external stress gets in the way.
5. What a Teletherapy Session Might Feel Like for You
Let’s walk through what a typical teletherapy session could look and feel like, especially for women managing anxiety and stress.
Before the Session
Setting the Space: Choose a quiet, private area. Maybe your bedroom or a cozy corner with soft lighting and cushions. Anywhere that’s comfy and you won’t be interrupted. If at home isn’t quiet enough, a parked car or a walk-in closet can offer sanctuary
Tech Check: Log in 10–15 minutes early to troubleshoot camera, sound, and internet issues. Familiarizing yourself with the platform reduces session jitters
Distraction Control: Silence notifications and let others know you need uninterrupted time
Mind & Body: Dress as you would for in-person therapy, something comfortable but intentional. This can shift mindset into a therapeutic frame of mind
(These are meant to be helpful suggestions, so take what you need and leave the rest!)
At the Start
Warm Check-In: We’ll begin with a gentle greeting—how are you feeling today? What's going on—and maybe a reminder that this is your space to share at your own pace.
Privacy Assurance: I’ll briefly explain confidentiality and remind you that I’m in a private setting, too - just as I would in person. (If I’m working from home, I may let you know that my dogs are snoring near me just in case you hear something :))
During the Session
Deep Connection: Even through a screen, empathy is conveyed through tone, nods, and gentle affirmations. I’ll maintain eye contact by looking into the camera and lean in to show I’m truly listening.
Structured Flow: Together we’ll explore how anxiety or stress is showing up - are you noticing tight shoulders, racing thoughts, or an inability to switch off? Following that, we might review tools discussed last time (like grounding techniques), dig into what’s come up, or explore something new.
Flexible Tools: I might guide you through a brief breathwork exercise or ask you to find something comforting near you - like a soft blanket or tea - so you feel anchored in the moment.
As the Session Winds Down
Gentle Closure: About 45–50 minutes in, I’ll invite you to shift focus to the outside world - How will you take care of yourself after this? What small, nurturing choice might feel safest?
Plan Together: We’ll confirm future sessions and perhaps set a small, no-pressure “homework” - like jotting down a moment of calm or noticing a small win.
Wrap-Up: When the session ends, you won’t have to worry about rushing back to traffic or the parking lot - you can just ease into whatever next feels right for you.
6. Why This Matters for Women with Anxiety & Stress
Women managing anxiety or overwhelming busyness often juggle multiple roles - mother, partner, employee, caretaker. Teletherapy offers flexibility to pause, take care of yourself, and continue therapeutic growth without adding more logistical stress.
Preparing your space, technology, and mindset intentionally can transform screen time into a soothing, focused experience - one that meets you right where you are, emotionally and physically.
Together, we build a compassionate space for exploration: whether that’s through shared silences, guided grounding, or unpacking what’s weighing on your mind - all within your real-world context.
7. In conclusion…
Therapy doesn’t have to be one-size-fits-all. In 2025, offering both warm in-person care and thoughtful teletherapy lets us align sessions with your life - and your well-being.
If you're exploring therapy options or feeling anxious about starting, let’s talk through what might feel most comfortable for you. I’m here to support you—whether that’s in your home, your car, or a cozy corner of your day. You’re not just booking therapy; you’re choosing space to be seen, to breathe, and to find calm.
Please email me or shoot me a text or call. We can set up a free 10-minute consultation call where I can answer any questions and provide any other information you might need. Let’s see if we’d be a good fit! Can’t wait to meet you!