Susan Russell, LPC

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people get clearer about what matters to them and take small, values-based steps even when feelings are intense. It’s useful for anxiety, depression, and problems that come from feeling stuck. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches practical exercises to change patterns that cause distress. It’s often used for anxiety, low mood, sleep problems, and many day-to-day struggles. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides concrete skills for managing strong emotions, tolerating distress, and improving communication with others, which can be helpful for anger and relationship issues.

Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with the client to identify goals, try techniques, and adjust methods as needed. Together they’ll decide whether ACT, CBT, DBT, or a mix makes the most sense based on symptoms, preferences, and what the person hopes to change.

Online therapy offers several practical benefits. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues while fitting sessions into a busy schedule. Phone sessions are useful when bandwidth is low or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text-based messaging support brief check-ins, skill practice between sessions, and flexibility for people with varying daily routines. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent around work, caregiving, or other commitments.