Some weeks, getting to an office is the hardest part of therapy. Work runs late, the kids need a ride, or the Parkway backs up near exit 98. Telehealth takes that step away. At Monmouth Integrative Counseling Services, you can meet with a licensed therapist by secure video. You can join from home, a parked car, or a quiet room at work.
Our video sessions follow the same standards as an office visit. You see the same clinicians. You get the same amount of time with them. The only difference is where you sit.
How Telehealth Therapy Works at MICS
A telehealth session is a live video appointment with your therapist. It is not a chat app or a recorded program. You talk face to face, in real time, for a full session.
Before your first visit, our front office sends you a link to join. You click it a few minutes early, and your therapist lets you in. Most people need no special software or setup.
Sessions run on a secure video platform designed for healthcare privacy. Your therapist joins from a private, confidential space. Sessions are never recorded.
Services Available by Telehealth
Most of our core services work well over video. These include:
- Individual therapy for anxiety, depression, stress, and life changes
- Couples and marriage counseling
- Family therapy, including sessions with teens
- Grief counseling, which many people prefer to start from home
- Medication management with our psychiatric nurse practitioners
Some care works better in the same room. Group therapy and our Wellness Studio classes in Brick happen in person. Certain services for younger children may also start at an office. Our team will help you decide what fits best.
Who Telehealth Tends to Suit
Video therapy is a good match for many people, though not for everyone. It often works well for:
- Parents who cannot step away for a session plus a drive
- Commuters and shift workers with tight schedules
- Couples who work in different towns
- People who feel more at ease talking from their own space
- Clients who want to switch between video and office visits as life changes
On the other hand, it may be harder if you have no private space at home. In that case, an office visit can be the better start.
Privacy and What You Need for a Session
You need a phone, tablet, or computer with a camera. You also need a steady internet connection and a private spot. A closed bedroom, a parked car, or a booked conference room all work.
Headphones help a lot, especially in a full house. They keep your side of the conversation private. Plus, they make it easier to hear your therapist clearly.
Telehealth Across New Jersey
Our therapists are licensed in New Jersey, so you can meet with us from anywhere in the state. You do need to be located in the state during each session. That rule comes from professional licensing, not from our office.
Many clients start in person at our Manasquan, Brick, Brielle, or Tinton Falls office. Later, they switch to video during busy seasons. Others never visit an office at all. Both paths are welcome here.
Insurance and Cost
Many insurance plans cover telehealth therapy the same way they cover office visits. Still, coverage varies by plan, so a quick check is worth it.
We work with a long list of carriers, as well as NJ Medicaid for eligible services. You can see every plan on our rates and insurance page. Self-pay clients are welcome too.
Our front office can help you check your benefits before your first session. That way, there are no surprises later.
Your First Telehealth Session
The first session is mostly about getting to know you. Your therapist will ask what brought you in and what you hope will change. They may also ask what has helped in the past.
You can ask questions too. Ask about their approach, their training, or how often you might meet. A good fit matters, and the first session is a fair time to test it.
Some people feel awkward on camera at first. That feeling usually fades within a session or two. Before you call, you can browse our therapist profiles. Our guide on how to choose a therapist in New Jersey may help as well.
Common Questions About Telehealth
For many common concerns, research shows video therapy can help as much as office visits. If your therapist thinks in-person care would serve you better, they will say so.
Yes. Many clients mix both. Just let our front office know before your next appointment.
Your therapist will try to reconnect first. If video keeps failing, they may finish the session by phone.
Often, yes. Each partner joins from their own device, and the therapist sees both of you.
No. Telehealth is for scheduled care. If you or someone else is in danger, call 911. For a mental health crisis, call or text 988 at any time.