Virtual Therapy NYC

Takeaway: Everyone struggles from time to time. However, you don’t have to endure life’s challenges alone. Virtual therapy in NYC and New York State can provide you with a trusted and dedicated therapist to make sense of your experiences and help you take steps toward a more meaningful life. 

Virtual therapy, also known as online therapy or teletherapy, is a form of psychotherapy that is conducted remotely through video conferencing and sometimes by phone. It allows individuals to receive quality mental health treatment from licensed therapists without the need to attend in-person sessions.

In this post, I will share helpful information on my approach to doing online counseling in NYC/ New York, the benefits of using online therapists, working with licensed online therapists for your mental wellness, and how my services as a therapist and the process of therapy may help New Yorkers like you.

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Meet Simay Gökbayrak, PhD

I'm a clinical psychologist licensed to practice in New York and California. I have extensive training in a research-backed family of evidence-based therapies for a range of psychological difficulties. These include mindfulness and acceptance-focused therapy and cognitive-behavioral approaches to help adults work through new and longstanding psychological difficulties.

My goal as a therapist is to support and collaborate with clients on making longstanding changes toward a life of meaning, purpose, and well-being.

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My approach to online therapy in New York

I first connect with individuals as part of a free 20-minute initial consultation by phone. There, we discus your needs, concerns and reasons for seeking therapy. If those align with my training and expertise and we mutually agree to work together then we can set up a first teletherapy appointment. Sessions going forward are conducted on a secure video platform.

Early sessions focus on learning about your history, and current concerns and symptoms to understand how they may be impacting your day to day. This kind of thorough evaluation gives me the ability to then tailor interventions for your needs.

I'm a therapist that values the therapeutic relationship so I am collaborative and compassionate yet challenging. In session, I will guide you to create helpful goals to work toward.

Online therapy NYC/ New York emphasizes quality care that is practical, and focused on your life in the present.

I work with adults on a wide range of difficulties but I routinely practice in these areas:

  • depression, sadness, low mood

  • anxiety disorders including health anxiety

  • insomnia or sleep difficulties

  • men's issues

  • coping with medical issues

  • relationship challenges

  • trouble coping with difficult feelings such as anger, shame, guilt, regret, and loneliness.

I practice measurement-based therapy which involves the assessment and tracking of psychological symptoms at every session to get a more accurate sense of your life struggles to help inform the care that I provide you.

This is a process similar to how things are usually done when you see your primary care provider. Typically, at the beginning of your appointment with them, your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and oxygen level are measured. You might be asked whether you're experiencing any physical pain. Those are indicators of your general physical health.

Could you imagine if your provider just assumed your heart rate was normal without actually measuring it because you didn't express concern for it?

To better understand your psychological health, I will regularly ask clients to fill out brief forms in sessions to monitor your mental wellness and symptoms.

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FAQs about online therapy in New York

I will answer common questions about online therapy. If there are other questions you might have about online therapy or other matters about therapy, you may schedule a free initial consultation with me here.

  • Online therapy New York has several potential advantages, including:

    Accessibility: Online therapy New York allows individuals to access psychological care from anywhere with an internet connection, making it more accessible without having to commute.

    Convenience: Online sessions eliminate the need to travel to a therapist's office, saving time and money. The therapist office is your own couch in your own home.

    Confidentiality: With the aid of a secure video platform and HIPAA compliant platform, online therapy New York provides a level of privacy that may be more comfortable for individuals who are hesitant to seek sessions in person.

    Increased comfort: Some individuals may feel more comfortable opening up to their therapist in a virtual setting, as they can participate from the comfort of their own home.

    It's important to discuss the potential benefits and limitations with your provider to determine if online therapy New York is the right choice for you.

  • A growing body of research has shown that online therapy sessions can produce positive outcomes for a wider range of mental health difficulties including anxiety disorders, depression, and stress. Research also shows that online therapy can be as effective as in person.

    However, it's important to note that online therapy may not be suitable for everyone, and the effectiveness of therapy can depend on a variety of factors, including the individual's needs, the therapist's expertise, and the type of therapy being used.

  • My patients are driven, high-achieving, and busy. They are often also feeling overwhelmed, overextended, and restless. For many reasons, they have difficulty with just being or don't feel comfortable with being idle.

    I have the time, ability and interest to keep up to date with the latest research and what's the current standard of care. In this vein, each client's treatment is tailored to their specific needs.

    The specific topics and techniques covered in online therapy will depend on your individual needs and the type of therapy you are receiving. However, some common areas that may be addressed in online therapy include:

    Identifying and managing emotions: Online therapy can help you identify and manage difficult emotions, such as irritability, shame, and guilt.

    Developing coping strategies: Your therapist can work with you to develop coping strategies to help you deal with difficult personal experiences and life challenges.

    Navigating unhelpful thought patterns: Online therapy can help you identify difficult thought patterns and learn to navigate them effectively so that they don't interfere in your life.

    Improving communication skills: Online therapy can help you identify your needs, improve your communication skills, expressing yourself, and resolving conflicts.

    Developing healthy relationships: Online therapy can help you improve your relationships with others by developing healthy communication skills and addressing issues that may be affecting your relationships.

    Overall, using online counseling can help you better understand yourself, manage stress, difficult emotions and situations, and develop skills to improve your overall well-being.

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Get the support you need from online counseling in NYC

Although I don't take any health insurance, to find out if your health insurance provider will cover therapy with me, call them up and ask whether CPT code 90834 for teletherapy with an "out of network" provider is covered under your plan.

I'm here to help you create a life that matters to you. Together we can discover or strengthen your connection to your self and those you care about. If you're curious about or ready to move forward from being stuck, reach out to me at your earliest convenience.