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

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.

Child Therapy is Family Therapy

By Melanie Freeland, LLPC • November 3, 2025
There aren’t many more distressing ideas for parents than the thought of their child in emotional pain. Parents contact me often in a panic because they believe their child is struggling, and they feel as if they, as parents, are failing. That may be why it’s often surprising that the first direct question I ask at a parent consultation is, “How are YOU doing?” Children Don’t Exist in Isolation What brings a child to therapy is often a reflection of the distress the entire family system is experiencing. From the moment a child is born, their nervous system is shaped by things as seemingly minute as tone of voice and facial expressions. Stress experienced by parents and other caregivers does not go unnoticed. The difference with children is that they, developmentally, do not have the capacity to see themselves as separate from a caregiver’s stress, the boundaries haven’t been formed yet. Something as simple as a string of bad days at work for a caregiver can be interpreted by a child as a failing on their part. In other words, a child’s mental health is not just about their inner world, but about the “relational web” they are a part of every day. This ABSOLUTELY does not mean caregivers are ‘at fault’ for their child’s distress. It does mean that engaging in the therapy process and growing skills to model within the family system can be the biggest contributor to long-term therapeutic success. The Family as Co-Therapist; What does it mean to engage in the therapy process? Child therapists have different views on what constitutes best practice for parental involvement in therapy. Filial play therapists, who work with the entire family system (parents and kids at the same time) through play, have parents attend every session. Child-centered play therapists meet with parents separately on a regular schedule. Other child therapists may meet with parents for a few minutes during each session. There is no one correct model, but there are a few things to expect while working with your child’s therapist. Learning new skills : Identifying areas of difficulty (such as co-regulation, routines, or limit setting) and trying new strategies that work for the WHOLE family. Becoming situationally reflective, not self derogatory : Working toward a mindset of “What is my child communicating to me right now?” instead of “What am I doing wrong?” Growing in confidence and self-compassion : Internalizing the understanding that your job as a parent is not to solve every problem, but to help yourself remain regulated so that you can be with your child as they learn about the world around them. A Collaborative Journey The end goal of therapy for a child may not be for the child to be able to perfectly manage all situations. In fact, I would go so far as to say that SHOULDN’T be the end goal. Instead, working with a therapist to uncover what a child is bringing to the family system and finding ways to address the whole system can lead to faster and longer lasting therapeutic change. I challenge all parents to think of therapy for their child as a collaborative journey for the whole family, and find positive change for themselves in the journey as well. Melanie Freeland is a therapist at Restore Therapy Collective specializing in relational trauma and attachment. When she’s not with clients, she’s likely reading, baking, or spending time with her family. To schedule an appointment with Melanie, please send a secure message through our contact form .
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