TELETHERAPY

Ambre Associates offers HIPAA-compliant teletherapy.

What Is Teletherapy?

Simply defined, teletherapy (or “online counseling” or “virtual therapy”) allows us to provide therapy services through an online video platform. We can “meet” face-to-face, even when we’re not physically in the same room.

Many people are making use of online platforms for their counseling sessions. It’s an easy and convenient way to connect with a therapist who can provide you with some perspective on your life, help you gain insight into yourself and your relationships, and help you cope better with the stress and anxiety you might be experiencing.

If you’ve been feeling more stressed, anxious or depressed than usual, know that you’re not alone. We believe that in unprecedented and unpredictable times like these, support from a trained therapist can help people better cope with life’s challenges. Teletherapy increases access to this type of support.

How Can Teletherapy Help?

Everyone has a different level of comfort being out while news about the pandemic continues to evolve. If you’re exercising caution around being with others, teletherapy offers you an opportunity for face-to-face therapy without leaving home.

With an already-full schedule, you might wonder when you’ll find time for therapy. This dilemma is particularly challenging for parents whose kids are home, who lack the physical and emotional space for honest conversation.

Yet, if you need help, you need help. You deserve to get the support you need and to attend to your well-being so that you can then better care for others in your life. Teletherapy allows you to focus on your well-being and mental health and get the counseling you need — easily and conveniently — from the comfort of your own home, office, or other location.

Teletherapy can address a variety of issues for adults, couples and teens, including:

• Relationship struggles (via individual and yes, even online couples counseling)

• Parenting stress

• Anxiety

• OCD

• Stress management

• Depression

• Life transition issues (divorce, job loss, career change, illness

Common Questions About Teletherapy

How does teletherapy work?

Contact your therapist as you would for an in-person session and they will set you up on our HIPPA-compliant teletherapy platform. You can use your phone, tablet, or computer to participate and there is no need to download any software! Your therapist will send you a link that you click on to open a “FaceTime”- like window. It’s that easy!

Is it confidential?

Absolutely. Our therapists maintain strict confidentiality standards for your protection. This means your sessions cannot be recorded. During this time of social distancing, our therapists are exclusively providing counseling via video from their office at Ambre Associates, or from areas of their home that ensure privacy.

Will teletherapy be covered by my insurance?

Most healthcare plans provide coverage for telehealth just like in-office therapy. In addition, on most plans, in-network insurance is now required to cover your sessions by order of Governor Pritzker. There may be some variations depending on your specific policy. If you and your therapist are not sure about your benefits, please reach out to your insurance provider. If you run into any coverage issues we are happy to work with you on payment options. 

Even if you think you don’t have coverage for telehealth, or can’t afford payment, please give us a call — we continue to get updates from insurance plans that are expanding telehealth benefits as our culture adapts to the developing needs. 

Helpful articles on Teletherapy

How to Make the Most out of Teletherapy Right Now (Huff Post)

Can’t See Your Therapist Because of COVID-19? The new world of virtual psychotherapy is brighter than you think.  (Psychology Today)

***Please note that Ambre Associates offers online therapy sessions to Illinois residents only, due to licensure requirements of therapists.