Online Therapy in Virginia | Innovative & Evidence-Based

Enjoy your life again with my innovative, evidence-based online therapy in Virginia informed by practical philosophy.

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Woman smiling during online counseling in Virginia. John Mathews, LCSW is a therapist that offers virtual / online therapy in Virginia.

Virtual therapy can help

If you’re feeling stuck, stifled, conflicted, or you’re overwhelmed by life in general, you can feel better. I am an online therapist and I can help you get to where you want to be.

Through online therapy you can learn new skills to help you manage difficult emotions and get back to the life you want to me living.

We can work together by meeting with video in a comfortable environment that fits in with your life and schedule. You can skip the commute with online sessions that offer the same therapeutic depth and process.

Is online mental health counseling effective?

Many people wonder whether virtual counseling is “as good as” in-person counseling. While meeting with an online therapist is newer to the mainstream, it has been a well-regarded treatment model for decades. A large research study of online cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) conducted by the University of Amsterdam beginning in 1996 has found online counseling outcomes to be comparable to in-person counseling outcomes.

But does online mental health therapy work?

A multi-year study beginning in 2006 and ending 2012 by the United States Veteran’s Affairs has supported the efficacy of online counseling, and research in the 2020s continues to support the finding that online therapy is just as effective as its in-person counterpart.

When online counseling may not be the best treatment option

Like anything, meeting online with a mental health therapist has its pros and cons, and it’s worth being honest about them as you’re considering your options.

While virtual counseling has some real advantages and has similar efficacy to in-person treatment, there are some instances in which it may not be best suited for your needs. Here are a few of them.

  • for crisis work or managing suicidal behaviors.
  • for managing for severe mental health issues such as schizophrenia.
  • in areas where internet connection is poor.

FAQs

Below are some common questions about online therapy.

Instead of meeting in an office, you receive a link to join your virtual video meeting with your therapist. We keep our video on throughout the session. Many of my clients find online therapy a convenient way to work together.

I see adult individuals located in Virginia seeking help for:

  • Anxiety
  • Burnout
  • CBT Therapy
  • Depression
  • ADHD
  • Substance Issues
  • Relationship counseling
  • And more.

I am a therapist that offers individual online therapy to all people in Virginia.

I use a confidential, HIPPA-compliant platform that requires no downloads, installation, or setup. It simply connects, in a fully secure and confidential manner, to the software already present in the majority of computers, laptops, and smart phones.

It is a very intuitive process, and you will probably be surprised at how easily we can get started. Please don’t let technological concerns be a barrier to getting the help you want!

If online therapy is not for you, I also offer in person walk and talk therapy. No matter which way you choose, the therapeutic process is the same. We work together to get you back on the right path.

Learn more about walk and talk therapy →

Yes. I accept most major insurances (Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Optima / Sentara, etc.).

After scheduling your first appointment, you will be emailed a link to our secure online portal. Through the portal, you can conveniently complete the new client intake forms prior to your session. During your first virtual session, we will review the intake paperwork and go over any questions you may have, and then I will ask you some questions to get to know you better. During that first session, you’ll talk more about what has been bothering you recently, what you long to see be different in your life, and create a plan to get there. My hope is to help you not just reduce symptoms, but also help you build a life you love. I can’t wait to get started with you.

Why I started offering virtual therapy.

I have been providing counseling in Virginia since 2009. My greatest passion for the work is in connecting with each unique person I work with. I want to help you start feeling better. It’s what I love to do. But with in person therapy, you were only able to work with me if you lived in my local area.

Offering online therapy gives you the opportunity to work with me no matter where you are in Virginia.

The therapeutic process is the same, no matter how we decide to meet.

Change is hard, and taking the first step towards change can be the hardest of all. But just by being here researching how to make a change, you’ve already taken that step. Don’t stop now!

Schedule Your First Session Today

Let’s get you on the right path to where you actually want to go.

Take The First Step

Written by:

John Mathews, LCSW

John Mathews, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist with more than 10 years of experience helping individuals with anxiety, burnout, depression, CBT therapy, men’s therapy, and more. He offers mental health therapy in Midlothian, VA and online therapy in Virginia. Learn more about John Mathews, LCSW.

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