Jennifer Clapton, LCMHC, LPC

How therapy approaches translate to online care

Client-centered therapy focuses on the person’s goals and values and aims to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space. In practice this means the therapist listens closely and follows what matters most to the client, helping them set clear goals and try small changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, teaches skills to notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and managing stress by practicing new ways of thinking and acting. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT, emphasizes emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and better interpersonal skills through concrete exercises and skill-building useful for strong emotions and relationship strain.

Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to match techniques to their needs, goals, and preferences. Sessions often combine elements from different approaches so the plan fits real life and can be adjusted over time.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation, phone sessions fit people on the go or with limited bandwidth, live chat provides a shorter check-in, and text-based messaging supports ongoing contact between visits. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, family life, or busy schedules while still using CBT, DBT, and client-centered methods to make steady progress.