Telehealth — allows your therapist to provide care without an in-person office visit. Telehealth is done online with internet access on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. I provide a secure, safe, confidential video format allowing you to feel confident with HIPAA and privacy practices.

In order to receive telehealth services from Life Story Counseling and Consulting, you must:

· Be able to provide a debit or credit card

· Be over 18

· Be living in Washington State where I’m licensed

· Be able to have a quiet, private location with no distractions and a good internet connection

Research has shown that teletherapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy. However there are some individuals who would be best served by in-person; they would be individuals who have a recent history of suicidality or homicidality or who have complex mental health issues such as psychosis, which is a mental health disorder characterized by a disconnect from reality. Children are another example of a person who would be better served by in-person therapy.

Currently, Life Story Counseling and Consulting is providing Telehealth and In-Person appointments. My openings for In-Person appointments are on Mondays.

Online therapy is convenient. It is flexible, there is no travel time, it is confidential, and can be done in nearly any location you find yourself in.

With online therapy, there is no commute, and you can live anywhere in Washington State. There are no travel times or traffic jams. It can be done wherever you are; in the car, at work, in your living room or bedroom! You can even be out-of-town or on vacation (as long as you’re still within the state of Washington) and still attend your therapy session. It’s totally convenient! As long as you’re a Washington State resident and that during your appointment, you’re located in Washington which is where I am licensed to practice.

Online Therapy is more confidential. Unfortunately, therapy still carries a stigma; some are fearful of being seen coming and going from a marked office door that reads something along the lines of, “Counseling Services,” or “Leah Block, Licensed Mental Health Therapist.” With online counseling, there is complete confidentiality; no one will see you coming and going from a building marked, “PSYCHOTHERAPY”. Therapy can be as private as you want it to be.

On-line therapy is more flexible for those with heavy work schedules or childcare needs. It allows you to schedule a therapy appointment on your lunch hour or during a break at work. Then, if you are home with children, you can schedule some quiet mama time while your child takes a nap or schedule it after bedtime.

On-line counseling is secure. For all communication through our website and e-mail, we use a secure HIPAA compliant server. For video sessions, we use a HIPAA compliant platform like Zoom, similar to what your doctor’s office most likely uses. All intake paperwork, and subsequent paperwork if needed, can be completed through your unique client portal, which can be accessed on any smart phone, tablet, or computer. Within your portal, you can make payments, complete paperwork, and securely message your provider.

Online therapy is safer in terms of infectious diseases like covid. No one really knows if this is over. Maybe there will be waves of high and low transmission. Whatever the case, there are still folks who want to be extra cautious, such as those who are immune compromised or those who live or work in high transmission or crowded areas. In these situations, telehealth may be the best and safest way to avoid exposure.

Schedule a free 20-minute consultation.

Fill out intake paperwork.

Once the paperwork is received, we can schedule an intake appointment.