George Ramsey, LMHC

Approaches that translate to online therapy

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and supporting a person’s own goals. In online sessions this means the therapist reflects what the client says, helps clarify priorities, and encourages steps the client chooses to try between sessions. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, looks at patterns of thought and behavior and teaches specific exercises to test new responses; it works well over video or phone because homework and short practice exercises can be reviewed together. Trauma-focused therapy aims to reduce trauma-related reactivity and strengthen coping skills, using paced interventions that can be adapted to the online setting.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and comfort level. That may mean mixing client-centered listening with CBT tools, adding mindfulness exercises, or using motivational interviewing to boost motivation.

Online sessions offer practical flexibility. Video calls are useful for full conversations and visual cues, phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a simpler check-in is needed, and live chat or text-based messaging can suit brief updates or people who prefer writing. These options help people fit therapy into busy schedules and keep continuity when travel or relocation happens.