Remote Therapy: What to Expect and Why It’s Changing the Way We Do Therapy
Life InSight
Remote Therapy: Making Mental Health More Accessible
Therapy has changed a lot in the last few years. Gone are the days when you had to sit in an office to get the support you need. More and more people are turning to remote therapy because it’s flexible, convenient, and can be just as effective as in-person sessions.
Dr. Yuval Freund, Psy.D., a clinician at Life InSight, puts it simply: “At its core, therapy is about feeling safe and comfortable enough to open up. Whether it happens in a therapist’s office or over a video call, that goal remains the same.”
So, how does remote therapy work? What makes it so appealing? Let’s take a closer look.
How Remote Therapy Works
Remote therapy, also called teletherapy, happens through secure video calls on platforms like Google Meet or Zoom. You get the same experience as in-person therapy—you talk, reflect, and work through challenges—but from the comfort of your own space.
One key difference? You’ll need a reliable internet connection and a private place where you can speak freely. “The best sessions happen when people can focus without distractions,” says Dr. Freund. “So no answering emails or doing dishes while we talk!”
Why People Love Remote Therapy
- It Fits Into Your Life - No need to rush through traffic or sit in a waiting room. You can meet with your therapist from home, your office, or even while traveling. It’s therapy that works around your schedule, not the other way around.
- It Can Feel More Comfortable-Talking about personal things isn’t always easy, but being in a familiar setting can make it a little less intimidating. “Some people feel more open when they’re in their own space,” Dr. Freund notes. “It helps them relax and engage more fully in the session.”
- You Can Stick With Your Therapist-Moving to a new city or switching jobs doesn’t mean you have to start over with someone new. Remote therapy allows you to continue working with a therapist you trust, no matter where life takes you.
The Challenges of Remote Therapy
Remote therapy isn’t perfect for everyone. One challenge is reading body language. “When I see someone in person, I pick up on little things—how they sit, their posture, subtle shifts in expression,” says Dr. Freund. “Over video, I focus more on facial expressions and ask more questions to make sure I’m understanding how they feel.”
Privacy can also be tricky. Therapy works best when you can talk openly. If you don’t have a quiet space, there are workarounds—using headphones, scheduling sessions when your home is empty, or even taking a session from your car.
What About Emergencies?
Therapists can absolutely provide support during a crisis, but there are limits to what remote therapy can handle. If someone is in immediate danger or has active thoughts of self-harm, in-person help is usually the best option. “If a client tells me they have a plan to hurt themselves, I always recommend in-person care where immediate support is available,” says Dr. Freund.
That being said, most crisis situations don’t happen during therapy sessions—they happen in between. And when they do, therapists are trained to offer guidance over the phone and connect people with the right resources.
How to Find the Right Remote Therapist
Whether you choose in-person or remote therapy, the key is finding a therapist you feel comfortable with. A good therapist will acknowledge the differences between online and in-person therapy and help you adjust to what works best for you.
Is Remote Therapy Right for You?
For many people, remote therapy is a game-changer. It’s flexible, accessible, and just as effective as in-person therapy for most people. If you’re thinking about trying it, ask yourself:
- Do I have a quiet, private place to talk?
- Am I comfortable opening up in a virtual setting?
- Does my schedule make in-person therapy difficult?
If your answers point to “yes,” remote therapy might be a great fit.
At Life InSight, we’re here to make therapy work for you—wherever you are.
We all know what depression looks like and feels like. It’s the inability to get out of bed in the morning, an unorganized and messy house, not being able to hold down a job or manage relationships. But depression doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. Sometimes, it looks like getting through the day — going to work, caring for others, and meeting responsibilities — while quietly struggling beneath the surface. Functional depression, often referred to as high-functioning depression, describes depression that isn’t always visible on the outside but can still create significant inner turmoil. Those with functional depression can hold down jobs, manage a household and relationships, and function relatively well on a day-to-day basis, even while feeling emotionally exhausted or disconnected inside. The keeping up of appearances can be extremely draining and difficult for the individual. You can think of functional depression like a duck gliding across a pond. On the surface, it appears as though the duck is gliding gracefully and easily. But below the surface, its feet are flailing just to stay afloat. If it takes someone without depression 5% of their energy to wash the dishes, it may take someone with functional depression many times that amount to do the same task. They will still get the task done, but the emotional toll can be enormous. Those with functional depression can have similar symptoms as someone who suffers from depression, but the difference lies in their ability to continue functioning outwardly. Feeling sad, helpless, or hopeless. Becoming disinterested in things that used to bring them joy. Changes in eating habits, like eating too much or too little. Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much. Difficulty concentrating. Negative thoughts about yourself and others. People with functional depression may feel an enormous amount of these depressive symptoms yet have become skilled at hiding or “masking” their struggles from those around them. They can create an illusion of being “fine,” even when they are not. Functioning does not mean thriving. Others with depression may not appear as high functioning in all areas of their lives. While they may seem to be excelling from your vantage point, depression may be quietly affecting areas you cannot see. Your co-worker, for example, may be excellent at her job but struggle to get out of bed on the weekends or feel overwhelmed managing personal responsibilities. Or your friend’s social media feed may be brimming with happy, smiling photos while hiding a deep sense of emptiness or disconnection. Even if you or a loved one appear to be high functioning, all depression deserves care and support. You don't have to wait until you hit rock bottom to find help. Without treatment, depression can get worse. And even when it doesn’t worsen, everyone deserves a life that doesn’t require enormous effort just to meet basic needs. The trouble is that functional depression can be hard to spot, even for yourself. So, what happens? You continue to try to keep it up. But every task demands more and more and what once felt manageable begins to feel exhausting. And eventually, burn out. If you think you or a loved one are living with functional depression, treatment is available. Life InSight offers compassionate, individualized support to help you better understand what you’re experiencing and move from simply getting by to truly feeling well.
Many adults feel overwhelmed, behind, or disorganized without realizing ADHD may be the cause. Learn common signs, why it’s missed, and how neuropsych evaluation helps. Bergen County, NJ (virtual/in-person).
Learn how setting healthy boundaries with the 4 C’s—Clarity, Communication, Consistency, and Compassion—can reduce burnout and strengthen relationships. Life InSight offers supportive therapy in Bergen County.
