What is teletherapy?

All sessions with Morning Light Counseling are held via teletherapy: online, video-based sessions in which participants use their laptops, tablets or phones to communicate. All billing and any necessary paperwork is managed online through TherapyNotes™, which means you can have a session from anywhere you have an internet connection – at home in the kitchen, on break at the office, or even while traveling.

Why teletherapy?

Though it’s not for everyone, teletherapy offers a number of benefits over in-office sessions:

• Comfort. You can have a session wherever works for you, in whatever environment you find most peaceful: your couch, your car, sitting on your porch, or while taking a peaceful walk in nature.

• Convenience. If you’re in a rush or work during the day, you don’t have to worry about leaving early or figuring out transportation. This can be especially helpful for those with children and/or who serve as a caregiver to an adult family member and may have difficulty arranging care for the time it takes to have a session in an office.

• Cost. Without the overhead of an office, Morning Light can offer more affordable rates to clients who are facing financial struggles.

• Increased confidentiality. If you are in a situation in which your movements are being monitored by an abusive partner or there are people you live with who you would prefer would not know that you attend therapy, you will not need to explain your presence at a therapist’s office.

• Easier access to care. If you have a physical or psychological condition that makes leaving your home difficult, you do not have access to transportation, or you live in a rural area, you still have the right to participate in therapy.

Should you find, after trying out teletherapy, that you would prefer in-person counseling, I’d be glad to assist in referring you to a therapist in your area who offers in-person sessions.

Can I keep my sessions confidential from those I live with?

When you first reach out to me, please let me know if there is a phone number or email address you’re comfortable being contacted through. During our intake session we can develop a plan to best protect your confidentiality, such as paperless notices that are not sent to your physical address. 

Note: To protect my clients’ confidentiality, I do not confirm or deny whether I’m seeing a certain person. I will only share information with a third party (e.g. primary care physician, psychiatrist, emergency contact) if I have a current, signed agreement or release of information (ROI). Even then, only the information you’ve agreed to share would be released. If someone you know contacts our office seeking information, they will not be told you are receiving services.

How do I get started?

To schedule your first session, please use our contact form. I will reach out to you within two business days to schedule an appointment. I will also send you a welcome email to set up an account with the TherapyNotes™ portal, through which you can complete all necessary initial paperwork. Please note that in order to ensure that you have informed consent and I have time to review your information and prepare for our session, all paperwork must be completed 24 hours before your session or it will be rescheduled.

I have another question that isn’t here.

Since I’m often in-session, email is the most effective method of communication. You can email me at contact@morninglightnc.com if you have any questions. I would be glad to offer any information I can, and aim to respond within two business days.