James Slaton, LCSW

How therapy methods translate to online care

Client-centered therapy focuses on respectful listening and understanding. The therapist follows the person’s lead, helping them identify what matters and supporting personal choices. This approach is useful for building trust and tackling relationship, identity, or self-esteem struggles.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is about spotting unhelpful thinking and changing behaviors that keep problems going. It often uses brief exercises and practical homework to reduce anxiety, depression, insomnia, and worry-driven behaviors. Those exercises adapt well to video sessions and messaging between visits.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT, teaches skills for managing intense emotions and improving distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness. It provides concrete tools for handling strong feelings, which can be practiced during phone check-ins or through short text-based coaching moments.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their goals, comfort level, and day-to-day schedule. That shared planning helps keep sessions focused and relevant.

Online formats used include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is helpful for deeper conversation and skill demonstrations. Phone sessions can fit a tighter schedule or lower bandwidth needs. Live chat and text messaging work for quick check-ins, short coaching, or follow-up between longer sessions. These options give flexibility for people juggling work, caregiving, or travel while keeping therapy consistent.