Convenient Online Psychotherapy: Serving Clients in Indiana and Ohio

Accessible Care for Indiana and Ohio Residents

I was born a Buckeye and have been a Hoosier for the past decade or so, living close to the Indiana/Ohio border near Cincinnati. So like many of us, I see doctors in both states. Though I’ve worked in-person in both Indiana and Ohio (as well as Kentucky), since going all-virtual in 2018 I have maintained both licenses so I can serve people like me who are on either side of the border at different times of the day or year.

The Benefits of Virtual Psychotherapy

I have maintained a virtual practice since having an infant at home, noting it worked better for me to have flexibility in scheduling and reducing commute time to an office. I can therefore serve more people and at more flexible hours.

The benefits for clients are all about access. So many people I work with would not have the time to drive to an office in the middle of their day, or after work, in addition to the hour of therapy. Being able to close an office door or go to a quiet room in their house makes it much more likely they’re getting care. I also notice a difference in the level of vulnerability people are comfortable with, compared to when they were in a stranger’s office. I think I’m even more comfortable working from my home office than when I shared an office building with other businesses.

Who Can Benefit from Online Therapy?

Anyone who can operate a computer or smartphone can benefit. I think busy people or those with a lot of anxiety around seeking therapy have been the most helped. Literally if you got way too anxious in session, you could just hang up. That hasn’t happened yet, but it’s a nice option to tell a very anxious brain :) It’s also great for someone who is so depressed they’re struggling to leave the house. Therapy can meet them literally in bed and healing can start.

I’ve had many people who have said they would never have gotten care if we didn’t have virtual therapy. There are some cases where in-person care is more appropriate, and I assess that on a case-by-case basis. And of course, many people prefer to go in-person for their care.

Access for people in rural areas is a huge passion of mine, as I myself would need to drive an hour to get to good in-person care. As a working mom, that just isn’t going to happen. As a client, I like being able to snuggle up in a blanket with a cup of coffee on my own couch to start a session.

Part of my standard practice is to connect with, or refer to, any treating physicians you see in order to collaborate on your care. I can do that virtually the same way I did in-office. Being from Cleveland and previously living in Youngstown, Columbus, and Cincinnati, I usually have familiarity with the local resources or can easily find them. I’ve been able to connect people with local providers in the far corners of Indiana too, thanks to the internet.

How Virtual Sessions Work

After having a consultation call, if you’re ready to schedule then I put you in my electronic health record system and you’ll get a link to the appointment by text and email. Just click the link a few minutes before therapy, and the session will begin. The only parameters are that you’re in a quiet place with privacy so you can get the most out of your session.

Licensed to Serve Both Indiana and Ohio

Many people travel between our two great states. I see several college students coming to Indiana from Ohio, or vice-versa. So we can continue care when they’re home for breaks without interruption. Or some people live in Cincinnati but are from Indiana, so again when they’re home visiting family but need a session, we can meet. Many Southeast Indiana residents commute to Cincinnati for work, and may only have time do their session on their lunch break in Ohio. Being licensed in both states allows care to continue without interruption. I’m also licensed for telehealth in Florida, so if you need a session during vacation (hey, I’ve been there), it’s available.

Why Choose Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

CBT is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety and depression. Being virtual means it’s much easier to fit into your life without interrupting treatment due to commuting, road conditions, etc. One benefit of CBT is consistency early on as we change habits. My EHR allows me to send you worksheets through the portal for you to complete homework between sessions. Online CBT has been just as effective as in-person CBT in my practice.

Start Your Journey to Better Mental Health Today

Are you looking for a therapist licensed in both Ohio and Indiana? Click here to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with an experienced online anxiety therapist from Cincinnati today for online counseling in Indiana and Ohio. Or call/text 513-461-2045.

Managing Chronic Anxiety: Expert Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Tips from a Cincinnati Therapist

What Is Chronic Anxiety?

Chronic anxiety refers to an ongoing experience of anxiety symptoms. This could be a diagnosed Generalized Anxiety Disorder, a Panic Disorder, or a subclinical feeling of anxiety that you may have always dealt with. Anxiety is a feeling of uncontrollable worry, which presents as overthinking and usually has some physical symptoms like tension or a racing heart.

Chronic means it’s not just one episode of anxiety, like feeling anxious about a job interview, but it’s ongoing and related to many topics or triggers. You may always have a steady level of anxiety which spikes at times, or you may have repeated episodes during different points in your life with breaks in between.

Some people identify themselves as an “anxious person” or feel it’s part of their personality. While you may be predisposed to anxiety, you are not destined to have anxiety rule your life. Treatment can help you to reign it in and manage it over the long-term.

Signs You May Need an Anxiety Therapist in Cincinnati

If you have tried coping skills, talking to loved ones, and other self-help strategies but continue to feel bothered by anxiety, it’s probably time to find a therapist. If anxiety is interfering with relationships (“Are you sure you’re not mad at me??”), your ability to function at work (you can’t concentrate because you’re terrified you’re going to get fired), or at home (constant calling and checking on someone who’s driving because anxiety says they’re in a ditch on the side of the road), therapy can help.

How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Cincinnati Can Help Manage Chronic Anxiety

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the most evidence-based treatments for anxiety. I find it so helpful that I continue to use it to start out with most clients even after being trained in several other techniques. Working through CBT can alleviate the intensity of the current symptoms while digging down to find the underlying issues that might be driving the anxiety. We find ways to think differently, but also figure out the things that help to cope in the long-term. Once you’re feeling better, it’s important to make a plan for spotting a relapse in symptoms early and addressing it so it doesn’t spiral.

Practical Tips for Managing Anxiety Between Therapy Sessions

Therapy is really most effective when you’re actively working on things in between sessions. Your therapist should give you homework assignments or coping strategies to practice to build your skills. If you’ve started CBT, I find it helpful to keep an Automatic Thought Record on hand and pull it out when anxiety spikes, and try to identify and rationalize the thoughts. If the train has left the station and you’re physically anxious, physical strategies like exercise can be more effective. Ask your therapist to help you figure out what will work for you.

Finding the Right Anxiety Therapist for Virtual Care in Cincinnati

Finding the right therapist for you might require a little perseverance. You might get a referral from a friend or doctor, or you might be searching online. It’s important to set up a phone call first to see if you click with the person. Calling a few different therapists will help you get a feel for who might be the best fit.

Ready to get help with chronic anxiety? Click here to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with an experienced online anxiety therapist in Cincinnati today for online counseling in Indiana and Ohio. Or call/text 513-461-2045.