Samantha Tatum, LCSW

Approaches for online therapy and what to expect

Samantha uses client-centered methods to keep sessions focused on each person's needs and goals. This approach means the therapist listens closely, follows the client's lead, and helps clarify what change would look like in daily life. It works well for people who want an empathetic space to sort through feelings and decisions.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts influence feelings and actions. In online sessions this often means identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and trying small behavioral experiments between meetings to test new ideas. CBT can help with anxiety, depression, motivation, and coping with life changes.

Dialectical behavior therapy, DBT, teaches concrete skills for handling strong emotions and improving relationships. Online DBT skills can include grounding techniques, distress tolerance strategies, and step-by-step practice of emotion regulation skills useful for managing intense stress or burnout.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose or combine methods based on needs, goals, and personal preference. That shared planning helps make sessions useful from the start.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for a close, face-to-face conversation. Phone can be a simpler option when bandwidth is limited. Live chat or text messaging can fit brief check-ins, skill practice, or people who prefer not to be on camera. These formats provide flexibility to fit therapy into busy lives.