Wendy Goffena, LCSW

How therapy methods translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people clarify what matters to them and take small actions toward those values while learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings. It can be useful for stress, anxiety, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and trying new behaviors to change how someone feels. It works well for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and many everyday challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences. That might mean combining ACT and CBT skills at first, or adding DBT-based tools if emotion regulation is a concern. Decisions are reviewed together as progress is made.

Online formats offer practical flexibility. Video calls let people use face-to-face interaction and visual tools during sessions. Phone sessions can be a good option when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text-based messaging allow brief check-ins, skill practice, or short follow-ups between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or rural schedules while keeping the focus on useful skills and steady progress.