Learning Archives - WellQor

Building Strong Therapeutic Alliances in Telehealth

Ryan Thoms — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 23:12:53 +0000

Retaining Clients for Lasting Change

Telehealth has revolutionized mental health care, making therapy more accessible than ever. However, virtual sessions come with unique challenges, especially in retaining clients long enough to achieve meaningful progress. At WellQor, our goal is for at least 60% of assigned patients to complete at least 10 sessions over their initial 12-week treatment cycle. The key to achieving this? A strong therapeutic alliance and a focus on lasting change.

Here’s how therapists can foster deeper connections and improve client retention in a virtual setting:

Build Trust from Day One

First impressions matter, especially in telehealth. Establish rapport early by:

Creating a warm and inviting virtual presence.
Actively listening and validating your client’s concerns.
Clearly explaining the structure of therapy, so clients know what to expect.

Set Clear and Motivating Goals

Clients are more likely to stay engaged when they see progress. Work collaboratively to:

Define achievable short-term and long-term goals.
Connect each session to these goals, reinforcing progress along the way.
Celebrate small wins to keep motivation high.

Keep Sessions Interactive and Engaging

Virtual sessions can feel passive if not structured well. Encourage active participation by:

Using digital tools like worksheets or interactive exercises.
Assigning between-session tasks that reinforce insights.
Encouraging journaling or mindfulness practices that tie back to therapy goals.

Address “Zoom Fatigue” and Virtual Barriers

Some clients may struggle with the virtual format. To counter this:

Keep sessions dynamic with a mix of discussion and exercises.
Acknowledge and validate frustrations with telehealth.
Ensure clients have a comfortable, private space for therapy.

Reinforce the Value of Consistency

Clients who see therapy as optional may drop off before achieving meaningful change. Help them commit by:

Framing therapy as a structured process, not just a series of conversations.
Scheduling sessions in advance to establish routine.
Reminding clients that change takes time and consistency.

Strengthen the Connection Between Sessions

Maintaining engagement between appointments can increase retention. Consider:

Sending brief, supportive messages through secure platforms.
Offering supplemental reading, videos, or exercises.
Encouraging reflection on key takeaways from each session.

Handle Cancellations and Drop-Offs Proactively

When clients miss a session, follow up with care and curiosity, not just scheduling reminders. A simple message like, “I noticed we missed our session today. I want to check in and see how you’re doing,” can go a long way in re-engaging them.

Focus on Lasting Change, Not Just Symptom Relief.

Clients who see lasting benefits are more likely to stay engaged. Ensure that therapy is about more than symptom reduction by:

Helping clients develop long-term coping strategies.
Encouraging self-awareness and autonomy in managing challenges.
Reinforcing skills that will continue to serve them beyond therapy.

Final Thoughts

Retention in telehealth therapy is about more than just keeping clients engaged—it’s about ensuring they reach their goals and experience real, lasting change. By focusing on trust, structure, and active participation, WellQor therapists can help more clients complete their treatment cycles and achieve meaningful progress.

The post Building Strong Therapeutic Alliances in Telehealth appeared first on WellQor.

Why do Therapists Charge No-Show Fees?

Ryan Thoms — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 19:41:12 +0000

Why do therapists charge no-show fees?

Cancellation policies with fees for no-shows or late cancellations are an industry standard practice for therapists. Many clients ask us why we charge a fee, and the truth is there are a variety of reasons for this policy. Some of these reasons are personal, some are clinical, and some are strictly financial. In this article, we’ll walk you through why we charge a fee for violations of our cancellation policy.

Time and resources:

Therapists dedicate a specific amount of time for each client session. When a client fails to show up without prior notice, it not only means a loss of income for the therapist but also a wasted slot that could have been used to help another client. Therapists invest time and resources in preparing for sessions, and a missed appointment can disrupt their overall schedule.

Professionalism and Respect:

Charging a no-show fee can reinforce the importance of respecting the therapist’s time and commitment. It encourages clients to be responsible for their appointments and fosters a sense of professionalism in the therapeutic relationship. Having clear expectations and consequences for missed appointments creates a fair and equitable approach for all clients.

Financial Security:

Therapists work on a fee-for-service basis, meaning a therapist isn’t paid for a session that doesn’t occur. If too many clients cancel in a given week, it can be dangerous for a therapist’s financial security. Your therapist is not a rich person. Insurance companies under-value mental health and reimburse at a much lower rate for psychotherapy than many other common medical procedures. No-show fees help account for some of the losses a therapist incurs when patients cancel without sufficient notice to schedule someone else in that time slot.

Encouraging Accountability:

Your schedule is an intentional part of your treatment plan. Sticking to that schedule is an important part of ensuring therapy is effective. No-show fees can motivate clients to take their therapy commitments seriously. Furthermore, knowing there are consequences for missed sessions encourages clients to communicate in advance if they need to reschedule or cancel.

Are there exceptions?

Of course. We occasionally make exceptions for emergencies that arise. An exception is up to the discretion of your therapist and their clinical director. Even if you’re unable to communicate before missing an appointment, it’s good practice to be honest and communicative with your therapist after the fact.

The post Why do Therapists Charge No-Show Fees? appeared first on WellQor.

Where to Find a Therapist

Ryan Thoms — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 19:37:19 +0000

A Guide to Seeking Professional Help for Your Mental Health

So you’ve decided to see a therapist, but you have no idea where to find a therapist. You’re not alone! Finding mental health services can be a challenging and frustrating experience for people. A quick google search for “therapist near me” will yield hundreds of results – some better than others. So in this article, we’ll walk you through the options, weigh the pros and cons, and hopefully help you find a therapist!

Look for Therapists in Your Insurance Directory

Your insurance directory can be a good place to start if your top concern is finding an in-network therapist. Major insurance companies like Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, and BCBS are required to maintain a list of in-network therapists for members to reference.

Go to your insurance company’s website, locate their “find a provider tool,” and search for psychologists, counselors, and therapists that are in-network with your plan and close to your zip code. At the very least, the insurance directory should contain the therapist’s contact information. In some cases, insurance directories will also contain more helpful information like specialties, professional history, and availability.

The pros:

- - Therapists in your insurance directory are guaranteed to accept your insurance.

The Cons:

- - Insurance directories are often poorly built and difficult to navigate.
  - Data can be outdated, resulting in frustrating roadblocks as you try to find a therapist.
  - Insurance may not cover marriage and family therapists.

Use Private Online Directories

Because many people struggle with where to find a therapist, there are many directory services that therapists in private practice use to help patients find them. Some good examples are Psychology Today and GoodTherapy. These directories allow you to filter by insurance plan, therapist specialties, and much more.

The Pros:

- - These directories contain more information about the therapist’s specialties and approach.
  - These directories often have photos and videos to help you familiarize yourself with the therapist before reaching out.
  - Some therapists here offer sliding scale pricing.

The Cons:

- - Many therapists on these do not accept insurance.
  - You are not guaranteed accurate information on insurance coverage.

Online Therapy Start-Ups

There are many companies in this space that make the question of ‘where to find a therapist’ a whole lot simpler. These companies hire networks of professional therapists who see clients mostly via tele-health. Many have also built robust customer service teams that can help you get scheduled with a therapist, and verify your insurance very easily.

Buyer beware! Not all of these companies are the same. Many of the largest online therapy startups function simply as a directory service for clients, and a gig-work platform for therapists. The therapists are independent contractors and not employed by the company. Furthermore, little to nothing is done to ensure the care delivered to clients is clinically appropriate and compliant with the law.

At WellQor, therapists are employed by the company and work in teams led by a PsyD Clinical Director. The therapist consults with team members for support, and collaborates with the Clinical Director to formulate and adjust the treatment plan for each client. This extra level of quality control means the client is receiving the best care possible. When considering where to find a therapist, look for a company that is primarily a mental health practice, not a tech giant.

The Pros:

- - Online therapy startups take the work out of finding a therapist by verifying your insurance and acting as a matchmaker. Companies like WellQor have dedicated patient liaisons to help you sort things out at any point in your therapy journey.
  - With mostly tele-health therapists, this type of therapy is more accessible and you can have a therapy session from the comfort of your own home.
  - You can often get scheduled quickly – sometimes within 24 hours.

The Cons:

- - Gig-work companies have trouble with clinical quality control.

The final answer: The Best Way To Find a Therapist

Luckily, there are many ways to find a therapist. Where to find a therapist is going to depend on what’s important to you. With that said, online therapy startups seem to provide the best experience overall for finding a therapist that has the right specialties, accepts your insurance, and has availability. At companies like WellQor, groundbreaking technology, great clinical minds, and stellar customer service come together to create the best therapy experience in mental health care.

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Dealing With High Functioning Depression

Ryan Thoms — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 01:15:53 +0000

What is High Functioning Depression?

High functioning depression isn’t a DSM-5 mental health condition. Rather, it’s a relative term used to describe less-symptomatic cases of depressive disorders that aren’t noticed by others. The term has become a popular way to label people experiencing a type of depression that doesn’t fit the stereotypes of depression.

People with high functioning depression don’t outwardly express their symptoms. In fact, they might appear to be highly successful and even happy in their daily lives. However, they’re battling symptoms of depression internally, and often hiding it from themselves and others. In this article, we will explore the signs of high functioning depression and how to seek support.

Should I be worried?

People with symptoms of high functioning depression often ignore them because they don’t interfere with the essential parts of their life. However, high functioning depression can have negative impacts on someone’s goals, relationships, and overall quality of life. While you may be strong enough to survive, your ultimate goal should be to thrive. So, identifying and addressing the symptoms is important if you want to be your best self.

High Functioning Depression Symptoms

Persistent sadness
Feeling sluggish
Feeling frequently irritated or annoyed
Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
Sleeping far more or far less than you normally would
Trouble with concentration
Changes in appetite
high amounts of self-doubt and criticism
disinterest in social activities

The symptoms are often not noticeable to friends, family, and coworkers. This is because people with high functioning depression often go to great lengths to maintain a facade of normalcy, making it difficult for others to recognize their internal struggle. This behavior is sometimes called “smiling depression,” and it’s used as a coping mechanism.

Without a good way to deal with depression, people mask the effects in order to continue on with normal life. This emotional masking can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, and even cause mild forms of depression to develop into major depressive disorder. This can be very dangerous if left untreated.

How to Treat High Functioning Depression

Seek Professional Help

High functioning depression is an umbrella term used to describe someone’s symptoms, not an actual diagnosis. Therefore, it’s best to first consult a mental health professional. They’ll work with you to diagnose the issue, and then formulate a treatment plan to address your specific needs. They’ll also provide you with effective, personalized tools for combatting your depression. Therapists at WellQor use cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients better manage negative thoughts and coping behaviors to break cycles of depression.

Home remedies:

While working with a professional is the quickest and most precise way to address your mental health needs, here are some well known lifestyle habits and strategies that are known to help remedy depression:

Focus on healthy sleeping habits. Depression is related to brain health, and a consistent sleep schedule including 7-8 hours of sleep is important for a healthy brain.
Exercise regularly. Research shows that physical activity can fight mental illnesses, and patients with depression, including high functioning depression, can benefit from regular exercise programs.
Consume a healthy, balanced, and nutritious diet. Would you put diesel in a gasoline car? Just like your car, your body and brain need the right fuel to function properly.
Engage in social activity with friends and family members. Your friends and family can help you work through your feelings.
Reduce outside sources of stress in your life. Numerous studies have shown a link between high levels of stress and poor health outcomes.
Reduce the consumption of alcohol or other drugs. Substance abuse can have negative consequences for your mental health.

The bottom line:

Living with high functioning depression can be a silent struggle, as individuals battling this condition often maintain an appearance of functionality while grappling with intense internal emotions. Understanding the symptoms is crucial in seeking help. By reaching out to mental health professionals, leading a healthier lifestyle, and relying on support networks, you can get the necessary support to find wellness and healing.

About WellQor

WellQor was founded to serve the counseling needs of adults across the country. Through our personalized care and collaborative approach, WellQor’s online therapists help their clients love themselves and live their best lives. Whether it’s depression, family conflict, anxiety, stress, or grief, our online therapists are specifically trained in, and sympathetic to, the issues you’re facing.

While there are many online therapists, we put our long-term personal relationships with clients at the heart of everything we do so each person feels the esteem and confidence that comes from feeling consistently loved, supported, and valued. Visit wellqor.com/online-therapy to learn more!

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How to Find a Therapist That’s Right for You

a81e852c_admin — Wed, 24 May 2023 20:13:37 +0000

Tips for Finding a Therapist

Finding the right therapist can be difficult. A quick search is going to yield hundreds of results with many of them booked or not specialized in what you need. Some people want to resolve family and relationship conflicts. Some people want a safe space to work through an issue like trauma, depression, or anxiety. Others enjoy the helpful life coaching that a therapist can provide. Whatever your reason may be, it’s going to influence the type of therapist you choose.

1. Find a Therapist Who Specializes in Your Age Group.

As we enter different phases in our lives, our worries and issues are going to change. For those of us who are older, our issues are going to be a lot different than the issues of a recent college grad. A therapist with experience in your age group is going to have a better understanding of your life.

They’ll know the historical context in which you’ve lived: social movements, wars, cultural phenomena, and so on. They’ll also be more acquainted with your body and brain, which functions differently according to age. A therapist who doesn’t specialize in your age might not fully understand the effects that aging has on the chemical and physical makeup of your body. As a result, they may not be able to treat your issues the right way. At WellQor, our therapists specialize in issues of aging, understanding the unique problems that occur during each phase of life.

2. Look into Their Training and Experience.

Specialized training and broad experience can make a therapist a better fit for you. You’ll want to find a therapist who has dealt with a wide variety of issues – specifically issues that affect you. The experience and training that your therapist has will allow them to pick up on cues faster, and help you get on the right track. For example, the experience that our therapists have with treating anxiety and depression allows them to treat these issues proactively and effectively. Since they’ve treated anxiety and before they can identify early warning signs, recommend tested and proven treatment plans, and alleviate the root causes of depression and anxiety

3. Find a Therapist Who You Like!

Finding a therapist that works well with your personality is going to help you see better results at a faster rate. When we talk to therapists, we sometimes approach topics that are deeply personal. It’ll be easier to work through these topics if you like and trust your therapist. At WellQor, our therapists work to build trusting relationships with patients, so they can better understand your life and the issues that affect you.

About WellQor

Whether it’s depression, family conflict, anxiety, stress, or grief, our online therapists are specifically trained in, and sympathetic to, the issues you’re facing.

The post How to Find a Therapist That’s Right for You appeared first on WellQor.

The Lifecycle and Symptoms of Anxiety: When to Seek Help

a81e852c_admin — Mon, 24 May 2021 18:22:14 +0000

The Lifecycle of Anxiety:

Anxiety is a very common condition that almost everyone will deal with at some point in their adult life. While it might sound and feel scary, the symptoms of anxiety can be treated very effectively. The level of anxiety that we feel in our daily lives is dependent on our understanding and management of our symptoms. When anxiety is allowed to grow, it can quickly take over your life and prevent you from enjoying the things you love.

Step 1: The Cause

The causes of anxiety can be genetic, situational, or both. It is not caused by any one thing, and most often it is caused by a combination of things like bad experiences, stress, chronic illness, and chemical imbalances in the brain. Mental health professionals will identify the root causes and give instructions on how to proactively manage and treat anxiety.

The type of anxiety you have and your experience managing anxiety is highly dependent on the root causes. Situational anxiety is triggered by overwhelming or traumatic life events, whereas genetic anxiety is often caused by a predisposition for chemical imbalance in the brain. You might be anxious about something more serious like retirement, medical issues, or bills. Or you might be anxious about everyday things like driving on the highway, impressing your friends and family, or the way you look. Identifying the root cause of these worries is a critical first step in treating and managing anxiety.

Step 2: The Presentation of Anxiety’s Symptoms

Anxiety presents itself as an intense feeling of fear, nervousness, or worry that’s way too strong for the situation at hand. Most often anxiety is forward facing, meaning your fear and worry are directed towards future events or activities. It may be long lasting, even debilitating, and greatly interfere with your daily life. Worry and fear are normal, but when these feelings last too long and feel too strong, you might have anxiety.

We effectively treat anxiety every day, and understanding your anxiety is an important first step in healing your mind. Our clinicians identify anxiety through a number of behavioral and physical symptoms that patients present.

The most common symptoms of anxiety are:

Overwhelming fear
Procrastination
Irrational worry
Numbness
Trouble falling or staying asleep
Sweating
Muscle tension
Nausea or stomach aches
Trouble concentrating
Trouble breathing
Dizzy, faint or lightheaded
Trembling and shaking

Step 3: Growth

The symptoms of anxiety grow through avoidance. Anxiety can come on suddenly, even for people who have no previous history of anxious tendencies. Because of the fear brought on by the sudden onset of anxiety, we begin to avoid the things that scare us. When a “scary” thing is avoided, there is an immediate, but short-lived, sense of relief. But when we avoid things that make us anxious, it can cause our problems to pile up. When it becomes harder and harder to face a mountain of anxiety provoking issues, a mental health professional can help pull you out of this dangerous cycle of anxiety and avoidance.

Step 4: Treatment

There are a number of methods that our clinicians have developed to help patients treat the symptoms of anxiety, here are a few of the ways you can work with your body and mind to help you feel better.

Train your Body

Calm your body down and control your breathing. Inhale and exhale slowly at a pace that feels right for you.
Get up and move. Walk briskly and pay attention to your body. Even changing locations can help you feel physically and mentally better
Meditate and practice mindfulness – paying attention to your surroundings using your five senses. What do you smell, hear, feel? Surround yourself with soothing scents, squeeze a stress ball, or take a drink of water paying attention to the feeling of coolness as you swallow. Focus on your body position – unclench your jaw and shake out your limbs to “loosen up.” Learning how to become physically attuned is important. WellQor therapists can teach you these coping skills and how to apply them to various situations.

Train your Brain

Think it through – take a minute to put things in perspective and reduce distress by asking yourself, “Are my thoughts and actions helping or hurting me right now?” Changing the way we think about something can be helpful. Talking to a third party like a WellQor therapist can help you put things in perspective.
Develop an awareness of what triggers your anxiety and identify patterns. You can’t fix something if you don’t understand the cause.
Reframe your thoughts. Often irrational thoughts influence how we feel. We tend to catastrophize and exaggerate the problem, or we tend to think of the worst possible outcome and assume it to be true. By learning to question your own thoughts, you can correct many of these cognitive distortions.

About WellQor

Whether it’s depression, family conflict, anxiety, stress, or grief, our online therapists are specifically trained in, and sympathetic to, the issues you’re facing.

The post The Lifecycle and Symptoms of Anxiety: When to Seek Help appeared first on WellQor.