Your Guide to Online Trauma Therapy in Falls Church, VA: What It Is and Who It’s For
During COVID, suddenly, everyone turned to it: online therapy. It became accessible and a necessity. We lost our connection to each other in the way we were used to and became aware of how much support we needed.
But, believe it or not, online therapy was around before the pandemic, and even as we shifted back to our typical routines and day-to-day lives in person, online therapy has not disappeared. In fact, its presence and need have grown even more, especially for trauma therapy. Despite how much need there is for appropriate mental health care, having enough therapists (and enough therapists in your area, who are the right fit, see your specialty, etc) can be hard to find. So, why not remain open to online trauma therapy in Falls Church, VA, or keep it as an option and possibility?
Want to see if it’s right for you? I’ll go into some of the basics AND details here, so keep reading to find out more!
What is Online Therapy?
Online therapy works exactly like in-person therapy, with the exception that you meet virtually with the therapist. In online therapy, you are still attending an appointment with a trauma therapist who is creating a safe space with you in your reserved session time. In this time, you build a partnership in which, through your therapeutic relationship, you address specific goals and tackle emotional pain points in your life to support you in living with more clarity, connection, and confidence.
Online trauma therapy can occur either by phone, video, or both. However, most therapists who offer virtual therapy will provide both an audio and visual component, and will therefore offer online therapy with video. For most therapists, this is important, as it is helpful to have multiple cues for body expression, both for us AND for you.
What Makes Online Therapy Ethical?
Online therapy makes some people NERVOUS. And, hey, it does not have to be for everyone. But it is important to go over safety in online therapy, especially when online trauma therapy is involved. So what makes online trauma therapy ethical?
Your therapist sets boundaries and creates a container around your session time.
Your appointment time may shift, depending on what you need and the therapist’s schedule, but just because online therapy is happening does NOT mean it is the same as FaceTiming your BFF. Your therapist should not be hanging out in a coffee shop, talking about your history with strangers in the background. They should also discuss with you the importance of privacy on both ends to protect your confidentiality.
Your therapist should provide a specific Telehealth consent form (among other forms).
Yes, there are often several forms to sign when you see ANY professional, and therapists are no different. A therapist offering online therapy will specifically provide you with a Telehealth consent form. This form typically discusses the risks and benefits of online therapy, as well as any policies that are important to protect your privacy and safety (i.e., being in a private space with no other people in the room, attending your appointment while not actively operating a motor vehicle, etc).
Your therapist should be licensed (or pre-licensed with a supervisor) in the state where you live/are located.
If your therapist is licensed in Connecticut only, but you live in Virginia…sorry, you two cannot work together. I know. Despite the advancement of technology that can connect us across states, countries, and continents, most states and jurisdictions have specific laws about where therapists can and cannot work with clients. This information will be included in a therapist’s paperwork, and it may also be something they discuss with you during an appointment.
No, I should not have to say this…but NO recording is ever happening.
The therapist is not recording you in any way…and on that paperwork they send you, it will probably explicitly state that the same goes for you. Confidentiality matters. All. The. Time.
You and your therapist may generate a backup plan (in case technology disappoints you).
The wifi may crap out, the power might go out, the virtual platform may have a day where it decides it just isn’t “feeling it” (honestly, so rude). And in that event, a backup way to connect will be important. In ethical online therapy, you and your therapist will likely have come up with a plan beforehand, or will be able to connect and problem-solve together when that moment does occur.
You and your therapist discuss location-specific safety planning.
If your therapist is licensed in your state, but does not live in your state and/or in your area, ethical online trauma therapy dictates discussing together safety plan needs that are physically close to you and having that information on hand (should it come up and be necessary). This may arise early on in your therapeutic relationship and may involve discussing resources physically close to you that can be supportive in the event of a mental health crisis.
What about online trauma therapy? How does it work, and who is online trauma therapy best suited for?
Here’s the thing about trauma therapy: sadly, a number of folks who have been through trauma therapy have had bad experiences (some have even experienced therapist harm), so finding a really good, ethical fit is important. Your nervous system has been violated and experienced a lack of safety in your life, whether that is systemically, relationally, or both. To build trust with a therapist, enter into a vulnerable space, re-process your pain, grieve, and grow can be a terrifying thing.
Sometimes, being able to do this from your own space eases that level of safety. Because you have access to what soothes and comforts you, the process of supporting grounding, anchoring, and self-soothing that occurs as part of trauma therapy can happen in ways that feel more supportive within your body. Additionally, because you have access to any therapist in the state where you live, you get to really look for the right fit: someone who understands your culture, your needs, how your past affects your present, and what skills you need to heal. The options that online trauma therapy gives you are remarkable in the healing process.
Online therapy is best suited for folks who would benefit from an approach that works well in their private space, who can connect via an online modality. However, for folks who are living in unpredictable or unsafe housing situations, online therapy would likely not be the best fit. Since privacy, your safety, and confidentiality are critical, in-person therapy may still be best if you are in one of these situations.
What are the Benefits of Online Trauma Therapy?
There are SO many benefits to online trauma therapy. When it comes to trauma, one of the biggest fears and barriers to beginning the healing process is just beginning. Sometimes, that gets further complicated by accessibility, busy schedules, commute times, and just trying to find the time to prioritize you.
Online therapy reduces those barriers significantly. Some of the benefits include:
No commute times or weather mishaps.
Ease of scheduling with fitting an appointment in before/after work, school, or during a lunch break.
No fears about whether a building or office is accessible.
Being able to take time to find a therapist who is a good fit for you, not just someone who is in your immediate vicinity.
Reduction in fear, shame, and stigma that can be associated with heading out to a therapy appointment.
The same healing benefits as in-person therapy, but from the privacy, ease, safety, and comfort of your home.
I had a hard time being online during COVID. How do I know online trauma therapy is worth it?
Okay. Let’s pause and break that down a little bit more. COVID was a pretty exceptional time…in that it created a lot of new scenarios. You became disconnected from a lot of your normal social situations, outlets, and ways of connecting with others. The world around you became stressful, urgent, and hypervigilant. The only way to connect with others was likely by spending lots of time online. And if you were someone who also happened to be working online during that time, your brain was probably VERY drained.
Online therapy does not function in the same way. It is not the same as chatting with a friend, or as having your 15th daily Zoom meeting (that could have been an email, am I right???), or sitting with your kid while they navigate an online class, even though you have 5000 other things to do and everyone else’s attention span is all over the place. Phew. That is a lot, isn’t it?
This is why online therapy is different. Online therapy is time for YOU and JUST YOU. The stuff that bugs you, pulls at you, and has been haunting you since childhood can finally be addressed in a safe space. At Nurturing Willow Psychotherapy, we believe that online trauma therapy should not feel like another task you’re burdened with, but a place where you can begin your growth and healing—simply with more ease.
What if I discover that online therapy isn’t the right fit for me—what do I do?
You are never beholden to any therapist (and any therapist who tries to tell you that has a MAJOR red flag). Many times, the first several sessions are a “getting to know you” time period, in which you and the therapist are building your therapeutic relationship, the therapist is asking questions to build safety and understand what is bringing you to therapy, and you two are building goals together. Some things may work and some things will not (this is totally normal). If something does not work, you are always, always welcome to discuss this with the therapist you are working with, and this is something that an ethical therapist will take seriously. If you discover that online therapy is not right for you, then you and your therapist can collaborate to figure out what would be a better fit and transfer you to an appropriate in-person referral that will work well for you instead.
Get Started In Online Trauma Therapy at Nurturing Willow Psychotherapy in Falls Church, VA
Alice Zic, MPH, LCSW | Trauma Therapist & Owner of Nurturing Willow Psychotherapy, LLC
At Nurturing Willow Psychotherapy, we provide compassionate, trauma-informed care to help you heal from the past, regain a sense of safety, and move forward with confidence—all from the comfort of your own home. Our online trauma therapy in Falls Church, VA, makes support accessible wherever you are.
Here’s how to begin your journey:
Schedule your free 15-minute consultation by clicking below.
Fill out a brief pre-consultation form so we can learn more about your needs and goals.
Meet virtually with Alice Zic, trauma therapist, to explore whether online trauma therapy feels like the right fit.
Begin your healing journey with online trauma therapy in Falls Church, VA, supported every step of the way.
Online Childhood Trauma Therapy in Virginia
Online therapy is not only an accessible way to begin your therapy journey, but it also allows you to find the right fit—regardless of who is a convenient drive from you. As a therapist licensed in Virginia, I am able and trained to work with clients located in and residing throughout the state of Virginia. All you need is your private space, internet, and your device, and you can make online therapy work for you. No stressful traffic—it’s simple and easy! Get started with a free consult call below:
Other Online Therapy Services We Offer at Nurturing Willow Psychotherapy
Beyond our focus on childhood trauma, Nurturing Willow Psychotherapy offers virtual therapy for concerns such as teen anxiety and the ongoing impact of parentification. Whether you are managing emotional overwhelm, recovering from perfectionism, or learning to create stronger boundaries, we provide a compassionate, judgment-free space for healing—available to you in Connecticut, Virginia, and soon to residents of Louisiana (stay tuned for updates soon!)
About Alice Zic, Licensed Childhood Trauma Trauma Therapist in Virginia
Alice Zic is a licensed clinical social worker in Connecticut and Virginia. She is a trauma therapist who specializes in helping mother wounded women heal their childhood traumas and reparent into confident, capable adults. Alice is an attachment-based therapist who is trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. IFS is a trauma-informed and evidence-based modality that supports healing the mind and body, while also allowing for reparenting wounded and, critical, and hurt parts of you. As a licensed therapist, Alice has specialized in providing online therapy to clients for many years, including tweens, teens, and adults. She collaborates with clients to ensure that online therapy is an effective and safe tool for their healing process and progress. If you would like to learn more about Alice, please click here. If you would like to work with Alice, please click here to schedule your free consult call today.