Therapy grounded in real inner work and genuine human connection.
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Therapy is easier to access than ever before using various online platforms plus virtual and in-person options. Having many options can feel overwhelming, so it’s important to choose what actually fits your needs, not just what’s convenient or popular.
So let’s break it down to help you determine which option is best for you.
There are several online therapy platforms like BetterHelp, Talkspace and Rula, and they are designed to make getting started with therapy quick and easy. While offering some of the same benefits as traditional therapy, it is usually more accessible and flexible.
These platforms work by having you fill out a questionnaire about your needs, what your preferences are and the goals you have; then you are matched with a therapist. Sessions can be offered a few different ways, with the most common being through video using a platform like Zoom, or a telehealth platform that is secure.
Another method would be messaging through an app. This could be done in real time or asynchronously which is when you send a message and the therapist responds at a later time.
The pros of using online therapy platforms are quick access, how easy it is to start, flexible communication options, and lower upfront costs.
There are some limitations with this option including less control over therapist selection, higher therapist turnover / less continuity, less personalized care, and the communication can feel surface-level (especially if it’s text-based).
These platforms can be a great place to start, especially if you’re not sure about therapy or you want something that is low-commitment. But if you are looking for depth and a personal connection, it may not be what you are looking for.
Private online therapy is something that many traditional practices have begun to offer. It is therapy that is conducted virtually, but not as a part of a large platform.
This works by conducting therapy via Zoom or a secure telehealth platform, using a direct relationship with a therapist or practice (like One Heart Counseling Center). This is similar to in-person, but it’s just done virtually.
You choose the therapist (visit our Therapists page where you can see video or listen to conversation with them) or the practice can help match you based on your needs. You will be able to build an ongoing relationship with your therapist that is direct and consistent.
The benefits of this option are that it is more consistent, there is personalized care, the therapeutic relationship is stronger, there is more flexibility in approach and depth, and there is more privacy.
This option combines the convenience of virtual therapy with the quality and continuity of traditional care. For many people, this is a good balance that they are comfortable with.
In-person therapy is the traditional therapy that most people think of when they hear the word therapy – it is when you go to a therapist’s office and meet with them face-to-face.
In person therapy sessions are held in a physical office, they are scheduled in advance and always face-to-face.
This can be beneficial because you can help you feel more connected and grounded. Being in person means there is no screen fatigue or digital distractions. It’s helpful for people who prefer a physical presence or an environment outside of their home.
“In-person sessions allow therapists to read nonverbal cues that support verbal communication. Nonverbal information can help a therapist better understand your needs.” (Deering, Maura. “Online vs. In-Person Therapy: Pros, Cons, and How to Choose the Right Option.” Psychology.org. September 21, 2025.https://www.psychology.org/resources/virtual-therapy-vs-in-person/)
Some limitations include offering less flexibility (for travel, scheduling), being limited to local therapists, and it may not fit your busy schedule.
For some people, being physically present creates a deeper sense of safety and connection, so this in-person therapy makes the most sense for them.
What really contributes to positive outcomes isn’t the platform, the setting, or the techniques used. The biggest factor in change is the relationship with your therapist.
Think about these things when it comes to therapy:
Do you feel comfortable with your therapist? Even though your therapist is not your friend, you kinda have to like your therapist or resonate with their style.
Do you feel understood and safe enough to be honest?
How is the trust in the therapeutic relationship?
How is the communication: Does your therapist challenge and support you?
Are they helping you move forward and not just vent?
Does the approach work for you?
Even evidence-based methods (like CBT) aren’t effective for everyone.
The most important factor is finding a therapist with whom you can build a strong, trusting relationship, through whatever medium.
Not all therapy is created equal, even within the same modality and no therapy technique is a one-size-fits-all. What works for one person may not work for another.
The right therapy should help you change and move you forward, not just give temporary relief. If you find the right fit, it will create real progress over time.
The rise of online platforms has made therapy more accessible than ever but it’s also created some confusion about what is best.
The truth is, each option can work, it just depends on your unique needs and preferences.
What matters most is the quality of the relationship between you and your therapist and the consistency of care.
If you’re trying to decide which is best for you, look at all the options and determine where you are most likely to build a real connection and do meaningful work. That is what will help make therapy effective.
Need help making a choice about what is best for you or a loved one? Contact us, we can help!
Therapy is not just about talking, it is supposed to help you change. When therapy slips into venting may feel like it’s just a “bitch session.”
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When teenage boys isolate, it is often misinterpreted as independence or defiance. In reality, it’s more of a protective response to the stress they are feeling inside. They don’t withdraw because they don’t care, rather because they don’t feel safe expressing what they are experiencing. Let’s look at what isolation really means and how it can affect teen boys.
For teen boys, isolation can be a signal that they don’t know how to explain what they are feeling. They may be emotionally overwhelmed and not know how to handle it, so withdrawing is a way to regain control. They also just may not have words for what they feel. It’s hard to communicate something you don’t even understand, and withdrawing is just easier.
They don’t see isolation as an act of pulling away from others, it’s simply their way to cope and self-protect . So shutting down is easier, and feels safer, than reaching out. Isolation helps them avoid exposure and/or shame.
Silence doesn’t mean nothing is wrong. Teen boys still feel strong emotions but when feelings are intense and confusing, they may not feel like they have any other option but to withdraw.
Boys may have a lot to say, but if they don’t feel safe saying it, they just hold it in.
It can be just as difficult for them to talk to their peers as it is to talk to their parents. Boys typically experience their emotions as physical sensations like anger and muscle tension, or irritability rather than sadness. They may not understand that those physical symptoms are really about their emotions, so they don’t discuss it.
Boys communicate differently, usually connecting by doing things together like sports or physical labor. Long, emotional conversations are not their communication method of choice.
Talking can also feel really risky. They don’t want to be judged, laughed at or misunderstood. Keeping silent allows them to stay in control and not take a chance that someone will try to “fix” them.
From a young age boys are told to be tough, don’t cry, don’t complain, and to handle your own problems.
“Even movies, TV shows, and sports often reinforce the idea that a “real man” is strong, fearless, and independent. Boys don’t see a lot of role models in mainstream media who openly express emotions like sadness, fear, or self-doubt.” (“The Silent Struggle of Teen Boys: What They’re Not Saying Aloud.” Raising Teens Today. https://raisingteenstoday.com/the-silent-struggle-of-teen-boys-what-theyre-not-saying-aloud/.)
Over time, they internalize the belief that talking about feelings equals weakness. There is a fear of shame, embarrassment, or seeming weak, so isolation seems safer.
When teen boys isolate and don’t talk, their feelings don’t disappear, they go somewhere, usually, turning inward or into the body. It may not always be obvious from the outside, but inside they may be experiencing ongoing tension.
The feelings compress and can result in angry outbursts, impulsive behaviors, anxious thoughts, irritability, numbness and withdrawal. These are just the expressions of the intense emotions that are leaking out.
The nervous system stays activated if feelings are not processed and it can result in headaches, stomach aches, trouble sleeping, tiredness, muscle tension and other physical symptoms.
When teen boys are isolating, they’re not likely reflecting or processing emotions. Even if they decide to isolate, they can still feel an unwelcomed loneliness because isolation is a coping strategy, not a choice.
Spending more time on devices, games, and social media is often misunderstood as avoidance or addiction. But for a lot of teen boys it is actually their way of searching for connection and relief.
If emotional expression feels unsafe offline they may turn to online spaces that feel like they can make a low-risk connection. They feel less vulnerable because it’s not a face to face interaction and they are in control of how they engage and when they engage.
These digital spaces can offer belonging without the person truly being exposed. The silence from isolating can be loud and feel heavy, but being online can occupy time and space, and reduce their loneliness.
The moments boys don’t want to talk are often when support is most needed. They are watching what happens when they are quiet. They want to know that they are still safe even when they are not feeling okay, and that you don’t disappear when they are struggling.
Even if it doesn’t involve talking, focus on building emotional trust.
“When parents feel disconnected, they often think they need a big talk, but most teens open up in small moments.” (Pressman,Dr. Aliza. “When your teen stops talking.” Dr. Aliza Pressman.com. October 28, 2025. https://dralizapressman.substack.com/p/when-your-teen-stops-talking)
Adults can support teen boys in these moments by checking in periodically, being present without demanding engagement, telling them that you are here for them if and when they need you. Try not to be pushy but make sure they know you are there to support them.
Therapy provides a non-pressured space to talk. For teen boys this is helpful because they are not being forced to talk but they are given a chance to process their feelings instead of keeping them trapped inside.
Therapy focuses on being consistent, respecting privacy, giving autonomy and non-judgmental feedback. This makes talking an option instead of a demand, helping them to name their emotions and reconnect safely.
It’s important to remember that isolation in teenage boys is often not rejection of others, but protection for self. Responding with patience and showing support instead of pressure, is helpful. If isolation has become a problem for your teen, contact us, we can help.
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Most people think that eating disorders are about food, weight or appearance, but that’s not the core issue. They are really about how a person experiences, manages, and survives intense internal feelings, or emotional regulation. Let’s dive a little deeper into what that means.
Emotional regulation does not mean that a person always stays calm and never feels or shows emotions. What it does mean is that a person can identify that they are feeling and manage it. It’s easy to let emotions take over and drive our actions but learning how to regulate them can lead to a healthier, more balanced response so that they don’t take control.
“Being able to regulate emotions is a skill, meaning that people often learn emotional regulation as they grow up. Some people may find it easier than others to regulate their emotions.”
(Guy-Evans, Olivia. “Emotional Regulation.” Simply Psychology. December 13, 2023. https://www.simplypsychology.org/emotional-regulation.html)
When someone has difficulty tolerating strong emotions, it can quickly become overwhelming because their nervous system starts to react. If the person does not have a way to process or cope with the emotions that they are feeling, the emotions can feel stronger than they really are.
As a result, these emotions can rapidly escalate and create a sense of urgency that makes the person think they have to escape from or get rid of the feelings they are experiencing. This can lead to impulsive actions, avoidance or just shutting down completely. Thoughts can become extreme, like thinking things will never get better or something bad is going to happen.
When a person feels overwhelmed by their emotions, a quick way to shift the attention away from those feelings is through food, exercise and body control. By controlling food intake and engaging in intense exercise, they are able to regain a sense of control, but the solution is short term.
Eating, not eating, and exercise all have physical effects on the body. Exercise helps relieve tension and release endorphins that elevate your mood. Changes in food intake can affect alertness and mood as well. So these physical effects can override the emotional stress the person is feeling, which makes them feel like it is working as a coping mechanism. But in reality, it is oftentimes an escape and the emotion is not being addressed, instead they are intensifying.
“Emotional dysregulation is closely connected to many eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED), among others. It can serve as a primary condition, which contributes to the development of disordered eating behaviors, or develop along with the disorder, and eventually help drive the condition.” (“Eating Disorders and Emotions: How Emotion Regulation Impacts Eating Behaviors.” Eating Disorder Hope. April 24, 2025.https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/blog/emotions-eating-disorders)
Focusing on body control is a way to manage feelings because it can pull attention away from painful thoughts or feelings and into something concrete and measurable. It’s not about the physical results. The goal is not to get attention and it’s not about vanity, it’s about achieving a feeling of mastery when emotions feel out of control.
Since behaviors associated with eating disorders often develop as ways to manage emotional overwhelm, therapy works on the systems underneath those behaviors.
Because the emotions are so intense and feel unmanageable, building emotional tolerance is important. This is done by learning to identify emotions and sit with them without immediately reacting. Work can be done to understand that emotions are temporary, and even though they are uncomfortable, they can be processed and managed.
A therapist can help you learn how to recognize early signs of emotional overload and teach calming strategies to settle the nervous system. The urge to control or avoid things tends to decrease when emotions don’t feel like emergencies. We talked more about nervous system regulation here in a previous blog post.
Therapy explores ways to self-soothe, express emotions and build support systems. Building these coping skills provides healthier options for relief so that the eating disorder behaviors are not the go to option anymore.
With an increased emotional capacity, the individual is able to rebuild trust in their ability to feel, cope, and respond without needing extreme control. Once they feel emotionally and physically safe, they do not need the disorder to survive and the behaviors can start to loosen their grip.
When it comes down to it, eating disorders are about trying to manage overwhelming emotions with the tools a person has available to them. Recovery can begin by developing safer, more positive ways to regulate emotions, eliminating the perceived need to control the body. If this is something you need help with, contact us, we are here to help.
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