NorthWest Ohio Psychological Services
Providing psychological services, educational assessment, & therapy to Sylvania, Toledo and the surrounding area.
COVID-19: Monitor & Adjust
We welcome our country's return to a degree of normalcy relative to COVID-19 and we know the pandemic is not over. As such, we continue to take precautionary measures at NWOPS and will until there is an all clear! We regularly review data and recommendations, and revise our protocols, for the safety of all who come into our offices.
Both online therapy (with a video connection) and in-person therapy are available at this time. Clinicians have made individual decisions about how they will work best in the continuing pandemic environment and there may be specific requirements for one or the other, depending on your clinician.
Please read more about online services here and feel free to call and talk to our office coordinator, Jessica, about how it works.
Why online?
Online therapy is appealing as a way to manage risk of infection from something like COVID-19. It may also be more convenient, requiring no travel, for example.
Online therapy just seems strange.
Counseling the virtual way is different but not inferior to in-person counseling. It does work and it is worthwhile and comfortable.
Functionally, the main difference between online therapy and in-person therapy is that one is virtual. It is important to take it seriously and give it your full attention for the therapy hour. You cannot be driving, gaming, or prepping dinner (for example) while it is going on. You are likely home, but get yourself dressed and take care of yourself beforehand so you can be fully present with your therapist.
What is needed for online sessions?
To participate in online teletherapy you will need:
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a computer or smart phone with a camera, speaker, and microphone (usually integrated in your device); headphones can be helpful but aren't required.
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a private setting where you can have a strong secure internet connection (not public or free wi-fi).
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to develop familiarity with your clinician's online therapy platform.
Want to practice?
If you would like to practice using an online therapy platform, try doxy.me. One of the platforms used by our clinicians, it is free, super user friendly, and available anytime for you to check it out and it requires no download.
However you do it, take care of yourself.
Letting stressors go unresolved is not good for anyone in the long or short term -- for your mental health, physical health, or general sense of well-being and satisfaction with life. If you are anxious, depressed, confused, stressed, or plain old feel like you could lose it at any moment, call us.
We hear you. We want to help. We are here.