Many people come to my practice with the same doubt. They want therapy that changes something, and they worry that a video session will feel thin. Can you really talk about the hardest parts of your life through a laptop? Can trauma work, and EMDR in particular, happen virtually?

The short answer is yes, for most people, most of the time. Online therapy in New York has become a mainstream way to get serious, depth-oriented, and meaningful care. The longer answer is worth reading, because it depends on who you are, what you're working on, and how your therapist runs the sessions.

What online therapy is, and what it isn't

Telehealth therapy is a regular therapy session held over a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. The 45-55 minutes look the same as they would in an office: same therapist, same structure, same confidentiality rules, same licensing board.

Ideally, it is not texting with a counselor or AI, and it is not a wellness app. If you've tried subscription chat services and found them shallow, that experience doesn't tell you much about working weekly with a trained clinician by video.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person?

For anxiety, depression, PTSD, and relationship problems, the research is fairly consistent. Studies comparing video therapy to office-based therapy, many of them published since 2020, find similar outcomes for most people. Teletherapy is just as effective as in-person counseling.

In my experience, the screen matters much less than three other things: