How therapy methods adapt to online care

Patty commonly blends client-centered therapy with cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy online. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and helping people set their own goals; online sessions keep that same collaborative stance and center the client’s priorities. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps identify patterns of thought and behavior and replace them with more helpful ones, which works well through video or messaging when homework and practical exercises are assigned. Dialectical behavior therapy adds skills for managing strong emotions and building distress tolerance; those skills translate into short coached practices and written skill reminders that fit remote formats.

Choosing which approach to use is a shared process. Patty will talk with each person about their needs, goals, and day-to-day routine and then suggest approaches to try. That way the plan can change if something doesn’t fit and evolve based on what feels most helpful in real life.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility in how sessions happen. Video calls allow face-to-face interaction and guided exercises. Phone sessions require less bandwidth and can be easier on a busy day. Live chat and text-based messaging work well for brief check-ins, skill practice, or when writing helps people reflect. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or medical schedules while still working on stress, ADHD, grief, or trauma-related goals.