You’re ready to get better and leave behind the anxiety, loneliness, hopelessness, and depression. Online therapy seems like a good option, but you have your doubts. Could I build a real relationship with my therapist during online sessions? The answer is yes! With our online therapists at Evanston Counseling, you can build a genuine connection–even online. Here’s why.
People who have done online therapy say that the most important piece in getting the relationship right is to have a therapist who is the right fit for you, someone who truly understands who you are and what you need and want. Our staff of caring and knowledgeable therapists will offer you respect in a judgment-free zone. You know, the kind of warmth you will be able to feel beyond the screen. It comes across in the words they use and their body language. We are here to work with you to slow down the stream of thoughts. You will ease into feeling more in control of your life. Check out our online therapists!
When we start online therapy together, we’ll set goals with you. What kind of life do you want to create for yourself? You can decide what new things you’d like to add to your life and what things you would like to drop or change.
Our time together will be something you look forward to in your week.
Your therapist will listen to you and offer as much feedback as you need. Together, we’ll explore the patterns of behavior you want to change. You’ll discover ways to shift your thoughts and set more boundaries. These new boundaries and changes in your thoughts will give life to fresh behaviors. Goodbye to being weighed down and stressed out all of the time. Your work in therapy will spill over into your relationships and how you show up in your life. Win, win!
You’re a busy person. But you can definitely fit online therapy into your life.
No transportation issues – With online therapy, forget the mad dash across town to get to your appointment. Trouble finding a parking spot gets checked off the list. If transportation is no longer a concern, there may be other reasons why telehealth is more convenient for you.
For instance, finding childcare doesn’t have to be on your radar. You can sneak away for your therapy session while your child naps. One less piece to manage with the limited energy you have.
Let’s be real. Some days, you are just not able to get out of the house. A physical illness or overwhelming emotions will not be a limiting factor. You can meet with your therapist without having to leave home.
You can work through life’s challenges in a space you know well, that comfy spot on your couch, your favorite chair in your living room, or your bed. (BTW, our office is a private, peaceful place, too!) Yet, being in your own space is a win.
You might not like sitting directly across from your therapist. For you, the added distance through cyberspace is a plus. It wipes out some of the added anxiety of being in the same room with your therapist. Somehow, you feel less judged and more at peace.
A lot of personal energy goes into building a relationship with your therapist. It’s exhausting (and a little scary) to think of having to go through finding and getting to know someone new. Leaving your therapist could cause your heart to feel heavy, like after a breakup.
If you move from Evanston after graduation or relocate for work, you can continue to work with us if you live in Illinois. And even if you move out of state, online therapy may still be an option. Our ability to work with people who reside outside of Illinois varies depending on regulations from state to state. Please check with us to see if we are authorized to provide online therapy in your new state. We’ll do what we can to walk through the ups and downs, excitement, and fear of this new change in your life, to help you remember that you are not as lost or alone as you may think you are.
Online therapy is a great choice in most cases. Yet, you may want to check into in-person sessions if you find yourself having suicidal thoughts or have suffered severe trauma or PTSD. In-person therapy also may be more appropriate if you have an addiction.
Claim some space – Find a private, quiet, comfortable spot where you won’t be disturbed during your online session. Think about scheduling your appointment when there are the fewest distractions in your space.
Double-check your tech – We’ll ask you to download our HIPAA-approved app. No worries about confidentiality. Verify that you have a strong internet connection. Be sure that your phone, tablet, laptop, or computer transmits high-quality video and sound. You may also want to use noise-canceling headphones. You’ll have added privacy using headphones, and you’ll be sure not to miss anything we share during the session.
What is online therapy and how does it work?
When you do online therapy at Evanston Counseling, you meet with a caring, trained therapist on a regular basis, someone who gets to know you and what you are going through. Whatever you are struggling with, you work with a real professional who can help, the same way you would in person.
Sessions happen through our confidential, encrypted client portal. You will get a link before each session, and from there it works just like meeting in an office. You will need a reliable internet connection and a private place to meet, whether that is at home or in your car, somewhere without distractions or other people around.
Meeting online is a terrific option when coming into the office is difficult due to a busy schedule or a physical limitation, such as illness, that can get in the way. It is also a great option if you live too far from the office or have responsibilities at home that make it hard to leave the house. Online therapy allows you to get the help you need without leaving the comfort of your home. It is more convenient than meeting in person and is just as effective!
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Yes, online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for most concerns. Research comparing the two consistently shows similar results. At Evanston Counseling, we see clients work through anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, and stress just as successfully online as they do in the office.
What matters most is the connection you build with your therapist, not where you happen to sit during the session. When you work with someone who knows you and understands what you are going through, the connection carries through the screen just as strongly as it would in person.
What do I need to get started with online therapy?
Getting started with online therapy at Evanston Counseling is quick and easy. To start the process, you can fill out the contact form on our website, or if you want things to move even faster, you can call or text us directly. You will hear back almost immediately, and most often, you will speak with an intake counselor directly within a few minutes, who will really listen to what is going on and match you with a therapist who is best for you. By the end of this call, you will have your first appointment already set.
You will then fill out a questionnaire to share more about you, so your therapist knows ahead of time what to expect and how to help. After that, you will get a link through our confidential portal for your online appointment. There is nothing else to prepare. Just find somewhere quiet with a good internet connection, and you are set!
Is online therapy confidential and secure?
Yes, online therapy with us is confidential and secure. At Evanston Counseling, online sessions take place through our private, encrypted client portal. We use Simple Practice, a HIPAA-compliant platform built specifically for mental health practices, so your information and your sessions stay protected the same way they would in person.
What you share online is confidential. No one else has access to your session or your link, and we never use AI to record or transcribe your conversations. With so much concern these days about how technology handles personal information, we want you to know this is one thing you do not have to worry about. Your privacy is safe with us.
Who is online therapy a good fit for?
Online therapy is a good fit for you if you are having a hard time making it into our office. You may be juggling a very busy schedule or dealing with an illness or a physical limitation. Or perhaps you live too far from our office in Evanston or have responsibilities at home that make it difficult to leave your house.
It is also a great option for anyone looking for a convenient, time-efficient way to find support from the comfort of home. Convenience does not mean a lower standard of care. At Evanston Counseling, you are matched with a real, licensed therapist who takes the time to truly know you. You can also mix it up, coming into the office some weeks and meeting online others, whatever fits your life best. Online therapy here is just as high-quality and effective as meeting in person, with the added convenience of skipping the commute.
What issues can online therapy help with?
Online therapy can help with the same things in-person therapy does. At Evanston Counseling, we work with clients on anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, grief, work stress, family conflict, and life transitions, whether you are meeting with your therapist online or in the office.
If you are not sure whether online therapy is the right fit for what you are experiencing, just reach out and ask. We are here to answer your questions, and most of the time, we can give you an answer right away.
With online therapy, the format is a bit different from in-person, but the support and the connection with your therapist stay exactly the same.
What’s the difference between online therapy at Evanston Counseling and therapy apps like BetterHelp or Talkspace?
The biggest difference is trust. Evanston Counseling is a known, established practice in Evanston and the greater Chicago area, not an app you sign up for online. We are small and personal, which allows us to provide the highest level of care from your very first phone call, through your first session, and every session after that.
When you call, a real intake coordinator listens and matches you with a professionally trained therapist who is the best fit for you, something apps like BetterHelp or Talkspace cannot offer in the same way, since they rely on an algorithm with no person actually involved in deciding whom you are paired with.
The quality of care here is something we take personally. With over 30 years in this field, we are very particular about who joins our team, and we work closely with our therapists so we know they are qualified and genuinely good at what they do. We place a strong emphasis on training, and on-site supervision lets us keep a close eye on the quality of care every client receives. We are a small practice, and that is by design. This means our therapists have the time and space to really get to know you. You will not be passed from therapist to therapist. We will be here for you, consistently, for as long as you need us.
What if my internet connection drops during a session?
If the internet connection drops during a session at Evanston Counseling, there is no need to worry. We will do our best to reestablish the connection right away, and most of the time, this is all it takes. If we are unable to reconnect, we will switch to another HIPAA-compliant platform so your session can keep going as planned. As a last resort, we can always move to a phone call so we don’t lose any of our time together.
These things happen from time to time, and you can count on us to keep things running smoothly.
How do I find a licensed therapist for online therapy?
Finding the right licensed therapist for online therapy is a very personal decision and requires a lot of trust. You are sharing your innermost thoughts and feelings with someone, making yourself vulnerable to a person you do not know yet. With this kind of trust on the line, it matters enormously that this person is truly the right fit, a qualified professional who can help you move forward in your life. You do not want just anyone. You want the best.
When you reach out to Evanston Counseling by phone, message, or through our website, we will respond quickly, sometimes within a couple of hours. With over 30 years of experience matching clients with the right therapist, we listen carefully to what you are looking for, then match you with a licensed therapist suited to your needs. Every therapist on our team is an excellent clinician, regardless of format. Our goal is to make the process as easy as possible, so you can feel confident and in good hands from the very start.
What should I expect in my first online therapy session?
When you book your first online therapy session with Evanston Counseling, you will get a link 48 hours ahead of your scheduled appointment to your private, HIPAA-compliant practice portal. At your appointment time, you simply click the link, and your therapist will appear on the screen, ready to begin. It is normal to feel anxious meeting a stranger and getting ready to share some of the most vulnerable parts of your life. That feeling eases as you get to know each other, which is really the main goal of this first session. Each session is 50 minutes, and we will do everything we can to help you feel comfortable from the very start.
Your therapist will genuinely want to understand you, so they may ask about what brings you to therapy and what you want help with, as well as what you have tried and what has worked for you and what hasn’t. After listening to your story, the two of you will work together on a plan to help you start feeling better. That might mean specific goals, or it might be a more general direction to start with, whatever fits you best. At the end of the session, you and your therapist will decide together how often you will meet going forward. You may also leave with a few things to think about or work on before your next session.
You are ready to feel better, and online therapy in Illinois at Evanston Counseling makes it easier than ever to get started. No commute, no parking, no childcare scramble — just real support from a therapist who genuinely gets you, from wherever you are most comfortable. Follow the steps below to get started:
Online therapy in Illinois is just one of the many ways Evanston Counseling shows up for the people in our community. Whether you prefer to meet in person or virtually, we offer specialized support across a wide range of needs, including Therapy for Moms, Therapy for College Students, Therapy for Young Adults, Teen Therapy, Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling, Therapy for Depression, Anxiety Therapy, and Therapy for Chronic Pain. Our therapeutic approaches include hypnotherapy, pet therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Whatever you are navigating, we are here to help. Reach out today to find the right support for you.
