Online Therapy in Michigan (Telehealth Counseling)

We know that it can be challenging to fit appointments into your daily life. Finding time to drive to regular in-person appointments can be difficult. Especially while you are managing mental health symptoms.

We believe that connecting with a therapist should be as easy and accessible as possible. This is why we offer mental health services online. Online therapy in Michigan allows us to provide therapy to clients via live video. This can occur anywhere you have a computer or smartphone as long as you’re in the state of Michigan.

Online therapy, unlike in-person therapy, provides options for where an individual can meet with their therapist. Many of our clients have met from the comfort of their own home, a (parked) car, a hotel room, or in a work office while on break. It can allow clients to attend appointments on a more regular basis. Even if they aren’t feeling well, are traveling, or have a variable work schedule. It can also provide extra anonymity by saving you the need of coming to our office.

Research

Research consistently shows online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy for treating mental health concerns. Here are a few studies comparing online therapy to in-person therapy.

1. A 2014 study was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. It found that online treatment was as effective as face-to-face treatment for depression.
2. Another 2018 study was also published in the Journal of Psychological Disorders. It found that online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is “effective, acceptable and practical health care.” This was true for both depression and anxiety.
3. A final 2014 study was also published in Behaviour Research and Therapy. It found that online CBT was effective and sustained well after treatment had ended.

Is Online Therapy in Michigan Safe?

Any form of digital communication does come with some risk. But, we always ensure any appointment that takes place between a client and one of our therapists is compliant with HIPAA regulations. We follow these regulations for the protection of client privacy. Also, we use industry-standard software. It ensures online therapy is completely secure and HIPAA compliant. The teleconferencing software encrypts all forms of data, including video and audio. It is consistent in producing high-quality video, even in low-bandwidth environments.

What is the Cost of Online Therapy?

Especially since the outbreak of COVID-19, almost all insurance policies that cover mental and behavioral health services now offer coverage for online therapy as well. Our clinicians work with most major insurance providers to ensure you can access the care you need. For clients without insurance, we offer the same cash pay and sliding fee scales as we do for in-person.

What Do I Need to Do?

The main thing you need to do to prepare for online therapy is to make sure that you have a private space. You also want to make sure your device has high-speed internet and a camera. Many people prefer to have earbuds or headphones, but these are not required. We will provide you with the HIPAA-compliant software you need to start your appointment.

Begin Online Therapy in Michigan

Distance shouldn’t determine the quality of therapeutic services available to you. Our team of caring therapists would be happy to offer support from our Michigan-based practices in Grand Rapids, Alpena, and more locations soon! We can offer support from the comfort and security of your own home. To start your therapy journey, please follow these simple steps:

1. Contact Unity Counseling
2. Meet with a caring therapist
3. Start experiencing the benefits of online therapy!

Other Services Offered with Unity Counseling

Online therapy isn’t the only service our team of caring therapists offers. The team at Unity Counseling offers a variety of services to support you and your mental health concerns. These include anxiety counseling, depression counseling, and grief counseling. We also offer services, including couples counseling, LGBTQ+ counseling, CBT, EMDR, and mindfulness. Feel free to learn more by visiting our blog or FAQ today!