Category: Therapy

Online Counseling By Joel Schmidt 0 Comments

Teletherapy: What it is, Benefits, and How it Works

Amid the COVID-19 outbreak and social distancing recommendations, people are opting to (or being told to) stay at home.  This means that many things that we typically do face-to-face (such as doctor’s appointments, work meetings, and even social interactions) are now being done virtually from home.  Many therapists, including myself, are even temporarily taking therapy online in order to protect the safety and well-being of ourselves, the community, and people we work with.

So what is Teletherapy?

Teletherapy – also referred to as distance therapy, online counseling, or virtual therapy – simply refers to therapy that is conducted online via live video sessions on a secure platform similar to Facetime or Skype.  It’s easy to do – and aside from being done remotely – is no different than a traditional face-to-face session.

Benefits of Teletherapy

Research has shown that online counseling sessions can be just as effective as traditional in-office sessions.  In addition, they come along with a lot of added benefits for people who choose to go this route.  Here are a few of those benefits:

  1. They can be done from almost anywhere! –  I’ve had sessions with clients from their car, office, and couch.
  2. No need to drive  – Online counseling sessions eliminate the need to spend time or gas money traveling to or from the Therapist’s office.
  3. Privacy – Since you pick the time and preferred location to conduct your session – and aren’t physically visiting your therapist’s office – you can ensure your own privacy.
  4. Flexibility –  Since you can do therapy wherever you choose and don’t have to arrange for travel/transportation, you might find that you have increased options for when your session can be done.  Lunch break? why not?
  5. It’s safe! For obvious reasons, doing online counseling sessions is probably safer right now than exposing yourself to the general public and other people who could get you sick.

How it works and what you need

Teletherapy is simple.  All you need is private/quiet space, an internet connection, and a phone or computer with audio and video capabilities.  A couple minutes before your session is scheduled to begin, we’ll send you a link to click on that will securely connect us.  It’s that easy! If you aren’t super “tech savvy”, we’ll patiently help make sure you’re all set up and ready to go.

If you’re considering giving online counseling a try, reach out by sending us a message or by calling or texting 727-258-5231.  We’ll briefly discuss your reasons for counseling, schedule an appointment if it sounds like we’ll be a good fit, and will send you a link to complete some basic information about yourself.

Float on Counseling’s physical office is located in the Carrollwood area of Tampa on North Dale Mabry Hwy. With discretion and extra precautions in place, we are still seeing some clients in the office when virtual counseling is not a viable option.

Joel Schmidt, MA, Licensed Mental Health Counselor

 

Therapy By Joel Schmidt 0 Comments

Our Efforts to Support Tampa Bay

Just like that, everything has changed.  Jobs are being lost, local businesses are being forced to shut down, lives are being disrupted, and uncertainty about the future has led to widespread anxiety, stress, and panic.  At a time when we need to be most connected, we are being asked for good reason to remain “socially distant” – which if it hasn’t already – will be leading to increased isolation and loneliness…There are, however, steps we all can take to ensure we remain physically and mentally healthy during this time.  

As a mental health provider, we have felt it important to not only adapt to the situation at-hand, but to provide much needed therapeutic support to the community during this time.  Here are the steps we are taking to do our part. We encourage you to reach out by sending us a message or by calling/texting 727-258-5231 if you have any questions.   Read more

Therapy By Joel Schmidt 0 Comments

How Learning to Play the Piano is JUST like Therapy

So I started piano lessons about 6 weeks ago and this wasn’t the first time.  The first time I got started was about a year ago.  I took 3 lessons and abruptly stopped.  One of the reasons I gave for giving up so soon was that I was “too busy” and too distracted with my professional life.  Although there may have been some truth to the fact that I wasn’t really ready, a lot of it boiled down to me being frustrated.  My piano instructor wasn’t the best fit for me.  He moved too quickly for what I was comfortable with and it made me feel sort of slow and stupid.  I wasn’t picking up on things quickly enough, but this wasn’t all his fault.  I wasn’t taking the time I needed between sessions to practice what I was learning.  I sat with him for a half an hour each week, but was then avoiding the work that needed to be done to make some improvements before the next time I met with him.  Subsequently, I dreaded going back in to meet with him to “face the music”.  I cancelled my 4th session and did not go back. Read more

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Therapy By Joel Schmidt 0 Comments

Common Themes in Therapy

As a Therapist, I often run into very similar themes again and again…This, I believe, is because so many of the things we struggle with as human beings are universal.  Although that’s the case, so many of these things people struggle with are dealt with in silence – and with a belief that these issues are somehow unique to oneself – implying some kind of inherent or fundamental flaws. Because of this, many of these common themes are at the root of what makes us anxious, deeply insecure, or depressed. Read more

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Teletherapy: What it is, Benefits, and How it Works

Amid the COVID-19 outbreak and social distancing recommendations, people are opting to (or being told to) stay at home.  …