Remote Therapy Available Anywhere in New York State – Serving Long Island, NYC, Albany, Upstate New York, and Beyond
Therapy doesn’t have to happen in an office. For many people, the barriers to getting help aren’t about willingness or motivation – they’re about logistics.
- You can’t find a therapist near you that you like.
- You don’t want to see a therapist locally in your small town.
- You can’t make it to appointments during office hours because of work.
- You don’t have reliable childcare.
- You live too far from a therapist’s office.
- You have mobility challenges that make travel difficult.
Or maybe you simply prefer the privacy and convenience of attending therapy from home.
At Long Island Counseling Services, we understand that access to quality mental health care shouldn’t depend on your ability to physically come to an office. That’s why we offer comprehensive teletherapy and virtual individual and couples counseling services to clients throughout New York State, including New York City, Albany, Upstate New York, and everywhere in between.
Our teletherapy services provide the same evidence-based treatment, compassionate care, and clinical expertise that we offer in our five Long Island locations – delivered through secure video sessions that you can attend from wherever you’re most comfortable.
If you’re looking for a therapist in New York but you need the flexibility of remote sessions, contact Long Island Counseling Services at any of our phone numbers (no need to pick a location) and we’ll help you access the therapy you need, no matter where you are in New York State.
What Is Teletherapy?
Teletherapy – also called telehealth therapy, virtual therapy, or online counseling – is therapy that takes place through live video sessions rather than in person. You and your therapist meet at your scheduled appointment time, but instead of sitting in an office, you connect through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform from your home, office, or any private location with internet access.
The therapy itself is the same. Your therapist uses the same evidence-based approaches, therapeutic techniques, and clinical skills that they would use in an in-person session. You talk through the same issues, work toward the same goals, and receive the same level of care and attention.
The only difference is the medium. Instead of driving to an office, finding parking, sitting in a waiting room, and then meeting with your therapist face-to-face, you log into a secure video session from wherever you are.
Teletherapy has been used successfully for years, but it became much more common during the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person sessions weren’t possible. What many people discovered is that teletherapy works – and for some people, it works better than in-person therapy because it removes barriers that make therapy difficult to access.
Who Benefits from Teletherapy?
Teletherapy isn’t for everyone. Some people prefer the structure and separation of going to a therapist’s office. Some find it easier to focus when they’re in a dedicated therapeutic space. Some types of therapy – particularly those involving children or certain specialized assessments – can be more effective when conducted in person.
But for many people, teletherapy is not just convenient – it’s the option that makes therapy possible at all. Teletherapy benefits people who live in areas without easy access to specialized therapists, those with demanding work schedules that make daytime appointments difficult, parents who can’t arrange childcare during therapy hours, people with mobility issues or transportation challenges, individuals who feel more comfortable and open in their own environment, those who travel frequently for work, people living in rural or underserved areas, and anyone who values the time savings and flexibility of remote appointments.
Teletherapy is also valuable for people who might feel anxious about going to a therapist’s office. Attending therapy from home can feel less intimidating, especially for people who are new to therapy or who have social anxiety.
Teletherapy Throughout New York State
While most of our clients attend therapy in person at one of our Long Island offices, we provide teletherapy services to clients anywhere in New York State. This includes New York City residents who prefer the convenience of virtual sessions, Albany and Capital Region clients who don’t have access to the specialized services we offer, Upstate New York communities where mental health resources are limited, suburban and rural areas throughout the state, and anyone in New York who needs the flexibility that teletherapy provides.
Our therapists are licensed to practice in New York State, which means we can work with clients anywhere within the state. We cannot provide services to clients who are physically located outside of New York at the time of the session.
Services We Offer Through Teletherapy
Nearly all of the services we provide in our Long Island offices are also available through teletherapy. This includes individual therapy for adults, teens, and children (when appropriate), couples counseling and marriage therapy, family therapy and blended family counseling, group therapy sessions, and specialized services like EMDR, DBT, and CBT.
We treat a wide range of mental health concerns through teletherapy, including anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, OCD, and social anxiety. We also work with depression, including major depression, postpartum depression, and seasonal affective disorder.
Our therapists provide support for ADHD and executive function challenges, PTSD and trauma, eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, anger management, self-esteem issues, work stress and burnout, relationship challenges, women’s mental health concerns including infertility, childhood behavioral disorders and childhood anxiety, school refusal, and insomnia and sleep issues.
Teletherapy is effective for most therapeutic work. The exceptions are typically situations that require in-person interaction – young children who have difficulty sitting for video sessions, certain types of play therapy, or situations where safety concerns require in-person monitoring. Your therapist can discuss whether teletherapy is appropriate for your specific situation.
How Teletherapy Works
Starting teletherapy with Long Island Counseling Services is straightforward. When you contact us to schedule your first appointment, let us know you’re interested in virtual sessions rather than in-person therapy. We’ll match you with a therapist whose expertise aligns with your needs and who is available for teletherapy appointments.
Before your first session, you’ll receive instructions for accessing our secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. You don’t need to download special software or create complicated accounts – typically, you’ll receive a link that you click to join the session at your appointment time.
For your sessions to be effective, you’ll need a few things in place. A reliable internet connection is essential – video sessions require adequate bandwidth to maintain a clear connection. You’ll need a private space where you can talk openly without being overheard or interrupted, as confidentiality is just as important in teletherapy as it is in person. A computer, tablet, or smartphone with a camera and microphone will allow you and your therapist to see and hear each other clearly.
Sessions are typically 45-50 minutes, just like in-person appointments. You and your therapist will meet at your scheduled time, and you’ll work through therapy in the same way you would if you were sitting across from each other in an office.
Is Teletherapy as Effective as In-Person Therapy?
Research consistently shows that teletherapy is as effective as in-person therapy for most mental health concerns. Studies have found that clients who receive therapy through video sessions experience similar outcomes to those who attend therapy in person – they make comparable progress toward their goals, report similar levels of satisfaction, and develop strong therapeutic relationships with their therapists.
The effectiveness of therapy depends far more on the quality of the therapeutic relationship, the therapist’s clinical skills, and the client’s engagement in the process than it does on whether the sessions happen in person or through video.
That said, teletherapy isn’t identical to in-person therapy. There are subtle differences in communication – it’s harder to pick up on some nonverbal cues through video, and technical issues can occasionally disrupt sessions. Some people also find it harder to feel fully present during video sessions, especially if they’re at home where distractions are nearby.
But for most people, these differences are minor and don’t significantly impact the effectiveness of therapy. Many people find that the convenience and accessibility of teletherapy outweigh any drawbacks, and some people actually prefer virtual sessions because they feel more comfortable in their own environment.
Privacy and Confidentiality in Teletherapy
Teletherapy sessions are subject to the same confidentiality protections as in-person therapy. What you discuss with your therapist is private and protected by HIPAA and professional ethical standards.
We use secure, encrypted video platforms that are designed specifically for healthcare and that meet all HIPAA requirements. These platforms protect your information and ensure that your sessions are private.
On your end, it’s important to attend sessions from a private location where you won’t be overheard or interrupted. If you live with others, let them know when you have a therapy appointment and that you need privacy during that time. If you’re concerned about privacy at home, you can attend sessions from your car (parked in a safe location), a private office at work, or any other location where you can speak openly without being overheard.
If you have concerns about privacy or confidentiality in teletherapy, discuss them with your therapist. We can work with you to find solutions that protect your privacy while allowing you to access the therapy you need.
Getting Started with Teletherapy
If you’re ready to start therapy but in-person appointments don’t work for your schedule or location, teletherapy provides a flexible, effective alternative. At Long Island Counseling Services, we’re committed to making mental health care accessible to everyone in New York State, regardless of where they live or what their schedule looks like.
Our team of experienced, licensed therapists provides the same high-quality care through teletherapy that we offer in our Long Island offices. We use evidence-based approaches, we tailor treatment to your specific needs, and we’re dedicated to helping you reach your goals.
Contact Long Island Counseling Services today to schedule your first teletherapy appointment. Call (516) 882-4544 and let us know you’re interested in virtual sessions, and we’ll match you with a therapist who can help.
Therapy shouldn’t be out of reach because of logistics. With teletherapy, you can access the support you need from wherever you are in New York State. Reach out today and let’s match you to a therapist or couples counselor ready to help you with your goals.