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Noelle Deckman, Ph.D.

Licensed Laguna Beach Psychologist - Dr.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Serving Residents of California and Maine

CA License: PSY 31545
ME License: PS 2030

Provider of Telehealth Psychological Services for Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, OCD, PTSD, and Stressor-Related Disorders

Offering Telehealth Psychological Services in California and Maine

I chose to create a private practice solely using Telehealth Services for residents of California and Maine to treat a range of psychological disorders. I strive to provide quality care for people who may have a difficult time finding help for a variety of reasons, such as having limited access to resources in your area, having a hard time finding a provider you trust close by, having a physical limitation that makes it challenging to attend sessions in person, etc. Whatever your reason, Telehealth allows therapy to come to you. By offering this service, my goal is to provide you with a secure atmosphere to work through any issues you may be struggling with from the comfort of your own home.   

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How Does Telehealth Psychotherapy Work?

The first step is to contact me so we can have a conversation to discuss your goals and ensure Telehealth is a good fit for you.  This also allows you to ask me any questions you may have, so that you can make a decision about whether you want to work with me.  If you decide to schedule an appointment, I will ask you to complete some consent forms electronically. Then, you can follow these simple steps to begin our work together. 

Laguna Beach Psychologist Offering Telehealth Services in Orange County

Privacy and Use of Technology

Always ensure you are in a private location with internet access before starting a Telehealth session. You will also need a device that has camera and microphone capability, which includes most smart phones, tablets, iPads, and computers.  I use a HIPAA compliant Telehealth program to maintain confidentiality during sessions.

Telehealth Sessions in Orange County

Telehealth Sessions

Prior to each session, I will email you a secure link so you can join our session.  You will not need to purchase any software or apps.  Our first session will be a diagnostic intake evaluation so that I can get a better understanding of your symptoms and history.  After our intake session, we will begin therapy based on a treatment plan I will create that is custom tailored to fit your needs.

Depression and Stress Disorder Services

Technological Issues

There is always the possibility of encountering technological issues with Telehealth Services.  We will come up with a plan together prior to beginning treatment to limit these potential disruptions.  If you have any concerns about your ability to use technology, please know that I will be here each step of the way to get you started and am always happy to answer any questions you may have.

Telehealth Psychology Services

Telehealth refers to providing psychotherapy services remotely using telecommunications technologies, such as video conferencing or telephone. Telehealth for psychotherapy is also commonly referred to as Telepsychology, Teletherapy, Telebehavioral Health, Telemental Health, eHealth, etc.  Research is continuing to shed light of the comparable effectiveness of Telehealth psychotherapy to in-person treatment for children[1], adolescents, and adults[2].  However, it is interesting to note that Telehealth services have been present since the 1990s, although research on Telepsychology started even further back, in the 1960s[3].  Telehealth services began in response to people having trouble accessing health care (e.g., from

offering-telehealth-psychology-services-in-orange-county-california

living in rural locations, etc.) and from a shortage of health care professionals, whereby these remote services served to bridge the gap in care[4].  Telehealth services have gradually grown over time and when the COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed the world and wreaked havoc on many major cities, demand for remote services increased significantly.  The quarantine and social distancing rules that accompanied the pandemic also shifted remote services into the category of the “new normal” as many of us have become accustomed to having medical and mental health appointments via Telehealth.     

Pros and Cons of Telehealth

I always encourage people to think about all of the potential pros and cons when making any major decision.  Choosing to work on your mental health can be a difficult decision to make, so it's important to make sure you understand the differences between therapy conducted in-person versus through Telehealth.  Listed below are just some of the pros and cons found by researchers that may help you in your decision-making process.

Pros and Cons

  • Can engage in therapy without being in the same location.  This allows you access to a wider range of providers, potentially finding someone you connect with better and who is more qualified, since you are not limited by location.

  • Can save money on gas and avoid travel time.

  • Requires some level of technical competence on both our parts.  I will guide you through this process to ensure ease of use. 

  • Increased risks to confidentiality, such as other people overhearing your sessions if you are not in a private location.  I will take reasonable steps to ensure your confidentiality on my end, and I strongly encourage you to protect your own confidentiality by only engaging in therapy in a private location, by using headphones if necessary, etc.

  • Technological issues could impact sessions.  We will come up with a plan in case we experience technological issues, such as having a phone conversation if there are internet issues. 

  • Some people may find therapy through Telehealth awkward or less personal initially, but usually people become acclimated over time. 

  • Increased privacy risks, such as unauthorized access to our conversations or stored data.  To decrease these risks, I only use HIPAA compliant products and avoid storing sensitive information in cloud storage.

  • Telehealth services are not suitable if you are in a crisis situation (e.g., actively suicidal) due to the higher level of support and intervention required.  This is why we will talk before beginning treatment to ensure Telehealth is a good fit for you.  Due to the remote nature of Telehealth, I will also work with you to create an emergency plan in case of any potential crisis situations that may arise during treatment. 

  • Telehealth has been found to be similarly as effective as in-person therapy, however, some therapists believe something is lost by not being in the same room (e.g., nonverbal cues).  If you decide to give Telehealth a try and feel that it is not a good fit, I will be happy to help you find referrals for in-person providers in your area. 

  • Due to licensing laws, I am only able to provide treatment to individuals living primarily in California and Maine.  ​

"The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination."

Carl Rogers

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