14 Awesome Things about Counseling via Telehealth

Bryan R. Wisdom, MDiv, MA, LMFT

Have you considered whether counseling via telehealth is a good option for you?


Advances in modern technology have made telehealth more available and affordable than ever before. Telehealth videoconference platforms are both secure and HIPAA compliant, meaning you’ll get the same level of privacy and confidentiality you would receive from an in-person counseling session, and all your personal health information is secure too. Of course, I’m assuming you’re not going connect to the session from a coffeeshop.


There are a few reasons why an in-person session could be best, like counseling for young children or some specific family counseling situations, but overall, you can get the help and support you need through counseling via telehealth.


Here’s my top 14 awesome things about counseling via telehealth. Take a look and consider if it might be a good (or better) option for your needs.

 

1. Convenience & Flexibility

In general, you will find that choosing counseling via telehealth over in-person will offer you more convenience and flexibility. Read on and I’ll explain what I mean.  


2. There’s No Place Like Home

Ah!... the comfort of your own space. There’s nothing like it. Not having to leave your house to make a counseling appointment is fantastic. And not just for agoraphobia. Being in your own home for session can reduce your anxiety. Want to sit in your bed? Do it. Pet your dog? Fine by me!


3. Bye-Bye Commute

Speaking of anxiety, I hate the feeling of rushing to get somewhere and fear of running late. How about you? With a telehealth appointment, you’re less likely to be running late for the session. No traffic = no stress. And if you’re taking time off from your workday, you could connect from your car, so you aren’t risking being late getting back to work. Added bonus: you can save money on gas, parking, and/or public transportation.


4. Better First Session

Telehealth could improve the experience of your first session, especially if it’s your first-time doing therapy. First sessions can be disorienting. With telehealth you don’t need to look up the therapy office on Google Maps, then calculate when you need to leave, then drive around looking for parking, then find the physical office, then wait in the waiting room, and then try to get comfortable in the room when its finally your turn. Why not cut that whole unnecessary part out?


5. Germ-Free

Whether you’re concerned about Covid-19, Flu season, or you’re an amateur germaphobe, connecting from your own space means less exposure to potential illness. This is can be especially important for elders and immunocompromised persons. And if, (perish the thought!) the government ever issues another stay-at-home order, you’re already prepared.


6. Lunch Break Counseling

If you work full-time 40, 50, 60+ hours a week, scheduling counseling appointments can be difficult. Many therapists offer evening and weekend appointments, but they’re coveted and often full. With telehealth, there’s no reason you have to wait until after work (or even take off time from work). If you have an hour lunch break, you have time for an appointment.


7. Separate, But Together

Who said you can’t be in two places at once? We can be in three places at once, at least for couples counseling via telehealth we can. Couples can access from two different locations. Is one spouse on the road a lot? Or flies out more than 50x a year? Maybe one of you works in a different town during the week, staying at a hotel or apartment, and only is home on the weekend. Or maybe you’re on a trial separation but still trying to make the marriage work. Try telehealth couples counseling with a Restore therapist.


8. Therapy-on-Wheels

When your counseling appointments are all telehealth, the therapy room moves with you! So go on, travel for work, travel for vacation, travel to your heart’s content, you can still make your sessions. Also, if you happen to move towns (within the same state), you won’t have to change therapists.


9. No Childcare? No Problem!

Many of us care for children or a senior adult during the day. Daycare can be expensive. Bringing them along to your appointment is both stressful and impractical. Telehealth appointments enable you to take care of yourself and them at the same time.


10. Family Pop-ins

Many clients find value in having a family member attend their session for a particular purpose. They aren’t interested in ongoing family therapy, but it can be helpful to have a family member—spouse, parent, child, or sibling—“pop-in” for one session or a part of a session. If the family member you want to come is unsure about therapy in general, asking them something like, “Hey, I have an appointment with my therapist next Tuesday at 10am on my computer; would you mind swinging by my place and joining us for 15 minutes?” can be way less intimidating. Or you might find yourself in the middle of a session and say, “You know, I think it would be helpful to have my wife’s perspective on this, can she join us for a sec?”


11. Screenshare

If I think of something that might help a telehealth client (an article, a book, an image, a diagram) while we’re in session, I can immediately look it up and show them by using screenshare. Otherwise, I’d have to make a note to myself, and either send it to them or bring it to the next session. Similarly, a client can show their homework, or a journal entry, or a photo, without having to remember to bring it with them.


12. Less No-Shows

It’s just easier to make it to a telehealth counseling appointment. So that cuts down on “no-shows”. “No-shows” are when a client has a scheduled appointment but doesn’t show up for the appointment and hasn’t contacted their therapist ahead of time. No-shows are bad for everyone. A no-show is bad for you because 1) inconsistent work yields inconsistent results, and 2) you most likely will be charged a fee. No-shows are also bad for therapists (it makes them grumpy sometimes) and for their other clients, because there’s no time to offer the therapy hour to another client.


13. Save Green

By “green” I mean good ole’ cash money! Did you know some insurance plans only cover part of the fee for an in-person appointment, but 100% for a telehealth appointment? I’m serious. You should check with your insurance.


14. Increased Access

Expanding telehealth helps clients everywhere. Clients who live in rural areas don’t have to drive to a big city. Clients who are wanting to see a specialist also don’t have to drive a long way. There’s always been underserved geographical areas in mental health, but since the beginning of 2020 it seems like there’s a shortage of therapists everywhere. Primarily this is because the number of people seeking counseling is at an all-time high. Choosing telehealth saves time for everyone, and when you choose telehealth, you choose to help increase access for others in need as telehealth can solve accessibility issues beyond long drives. Clients with physical disabilities or mobility concerns may benefit as well.

 



Ready to get started working on your mental, emotional, or relational wellness via telehealth? We’re ready too. Contact us at 616-228-9244 or through our secure contact form to get scheduled with a Restore therapist today!




 

Restore Therapy Collective

The Space Between Doubt & Faith

By Kevin Dykstra, MDiv • June 12, 2026
Having served both as an ordained pastor and as a mental health professional, I have repeatedly heard strong emotions surrounding the idea of deconstructing - a process in which individuals systematically evaluate and question religious and spiritual beliefs and practices. Most often, I hear fear and anxiety from those who are personally wrestling with deconstruction or watching someone they love go through it. Such fears frequently include: - Fear of divine retribution or punishment - Fear that a loved one will abandon their faith - Fear of losing community or damaging family relationships - Fear of losing one’s identity - Grief over the loss of certainty - Fear of losing meaning or purpose This list could go on, of course, and it is not meant to be exhaustive. The point is that the idea of deconstruction can be highly intimidating for many people and it often brings up significant fear and distress, leading people to seek guidance from trusted faith leaders and mental health professionals. Unfortunately, there are also many less-than-helpful beliefs about what it means to undergo the process of deconstruction. So let's break some of these down: Deconstruction inevitably leads to abandoning religious belief Deconstruction is defined as a process - a process of evaluating, analyzing, and questioning one's own religiosity and/or spirituality. Engaging in this process does not, however, naturally lead to the abandonment of religious belief. Some individuals ultimately step away from religious identification altogether (de-identify), while others move toward reconstruction - retaining some elements of faith, though often reshaped. In fact, some have argued that a cycle of deconstruction and reconstruction may result in a more mature faith and may be a natural part of human growth and development. Things won't get better after deconstructing One thing we know about spirituality and religiosity is that they are incredibly sticky. What I mean by that is that they are incredibly powerful social forces and have deep impacts on our identity, morality, community, and even emotional reflexes. The impact of religion and spirituality can sometimes be hard to shake, even if you have left your religion or reconstructed with a new religious identity and understanding. For example, someone who has left a rigid religious environment may find themselves reproducing similar all-or-nothing, black-and-white thinking patterns in secular contexts. Other individuals might find that they struggle to shake a fear of divine punishment or retribution, despite having stopped believing in either hell or God. This is normal. Over time, though, many individuals' distress or struggles in these areas do soften in intensity. Reasons for deconstruction can be boiled down to one cause Reasons for undergoing the process of deconstruction vary. For some, deconstruction begins with an internal sense that what they were taught to think and believe conflicts with the behaviors or gut sense of what they believe to be true, launching the person into a period of intellectual questioning. Others begin deconstruction as a direct result of religious trauma and abuses experienced in religious/spiritual contexts. Others begin the process after experiencing a profound loss or death that their faith system does not seem able to explain or make sense of. Point being: the reasons for deconstruction vary and often begin with honest, sincere questions, doubts, concerns, and a search for answers or truth.  If you or someone you care about is facing challenges associated with deconstruction, though, what can you do? Be patient Remember that deconstruction is a process, not a single decision, event, or destination. This process may take time and may not be forced. And if you have left religion or spirituality behind, remember that the emotional intensity associated with previous beliefs often softens over time, and you may notice that your distress gradually lessens. Seek out a trusted religious/spiritual leader or other wise and trusted mentor You may be surprised to find that your religious leader has undergone a similar process or has resources that might be able to help you navigate this issue. The process of deconstruction does not have to be explicitly anti-religious and some individuals may find they benefit from addressing their concerns with faith leaders. Seek out a mental health professional The process of deconstruction can result in feeling highly anxious, depressed, or that life feels unbearable. Finding a mental health professional who understands the process of faith change, respects you and your journey, and can provide resources for coping with related mental health concerns can be tremendously helpful. Find resources related to deconstruction, faith change, religious/spiritual trauma, and other related issues There is an increasing number of resources aimed at helping individuals dealing with these issues, including the book used as inspiration for this article written by a Hope College professor of psychology and director of the Frost Center, Dr, Daryl R. Van Tongeren (2024). Books, audiobooks, and podcasts from professionals and individuals with lived experience may help you gain a greater appreciation and awareness for what you are experiencing.

Doing the Reps: What Running Has Taught Me About Mental Health

By Jonah Maichele • April 20, 2026
As a runner, I’ve learned that progress rarely comes from a single run. Rather, it comes from doing the reps time and time again. Sometimes, it means long miles when my legs feel strong. Other times, it is dragging myself out the door when it’s still pitch black outside, and the temperature is well below freezing. Of course there have been plenty of mornings when the last thing I wanted to do was run (And there still are days I don’t want to). But over time, the runs that felt difficult or like a chore, slowly became part of my routine. Changing behavior and creating a routine often works the same way. Many people come into counseling hoping for a breakthrough moment and/or quick fix, where everything suddenly makes sense and life feels easier. These moments can happen, but lasting change more often comes from practicing new ways of thinking, responding, and caring for yourself over and over again. In other words, it comes from doing the reps. In running, a rep might be a mile repeat or a long training run. In mental health, the reps look different. They might be things like pausing before reacting in a difficult conversation, challenging a negative thought instead of automatically believing it, or practicing a coping skill when anxiety starts to rise. At first, these reps can feel awkward and uncomfortable. Just like starting a new training plan, the effort can feel heavy in the beginning. Our brains adapt in much the same way our bodies do. With each rep, new patterns start to take hold. That coping skill becomes more natural. The pause before reacting becomes easier. That difficult conversation becomes more manageable. Here are some reps you can give a try Drink a full glass of water when you wake up in the morning. Take five minutes before bed to simply focus on your breathing. Step outside for a short walk, even if it’s just around the block. Pause and take three slow breaths when you notice stress building. Write down one thing you’re grateful for at the end of the day. Remember! The goal isn’t perfection. It’s getting in the reps. Start with something small, even if it feels too easy. Some days the reps will feel easier than others. Some days they’ll feel heavy. Change tends to come from continuing to show up anyway. And eventually, the things that once felt difficult start to feel normal. That’s when real change begins to take hold.  Jonah Maichele is a counseling intern at Restore Therapy Collective. In his free time, Jonah enjoys running, playing guitar, and hammocking at the beach. His favorite foods include sushi, orange chicken, and his grandma’s specialty gnocchis.

Riding in Harmony: A New Way to Understand Your Emotions

By Morgan Peterson, LLMFT, LLPC • February 25, 2026
I so often hear things like, “I know I shouldn’t get angry, but I do,” or, “I get so anxious, and I should just let it go.” It’s a common refrain of things that should be done and ways we should behave. We talk about emotions as something to control rather than work alongside, but what would happen if we learned to work with our emotions rather than against them? Think of our emotions as a horse—they’re instinctual, reactive, powerful, and often rooted in survival mechanisms. Just like a horse, they can be strong and seemingly unpredictable. Now think of the rational part of ourselves as the rider of the horse; this is the part of us that plans, is logical, and tries to stay in control to lead us in deliberate direction. The goal isn’t to “break” the horse and give the rider total control, and the goal is also not to let the horse run wild. The goal is to build a relationship between the two. When the horse and rider work together in harmony, the journey is smooth. The horse provides energy and motivation while the rider offers direction and guidance. If the horse is too in charge, it might bolt with fear, anger, or desire, and this can lead us off trail. If the rider is too dominating, they may ignore signals from the horse until it erupts, or the horse is stifled to the point of low energy and lack of motivation. Therapeutic work often involves helping the rider understand and work with the horse by learning how to notice, respond to, and gently guide it. The goal isn’t control, but connection. It’s about building relationship between emotions and our rational selves to encourage understanding, respect, and resiliency within ourselves. We can listen to our emotions without being overwhelmed by them, and we can use our rational mind without it becoming a harsh inner-critic. Emotional regulation isn’t about silencing emotions, but learning to ride with them. Morgan Peterson, LLMFT, LLPC, is a therapist at Restore Therapy Collective. Morgan’s passion is helping people improve their relationships—with others and with themselves. When not in session, you can find her gardening, knitting, reading, or doing other “grandma” hobbies.
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