Therapy

Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers.

See below for answers to some of our most common questions. You can also call us anytime 24 hours a day at 1‑844‑SEE‑DOCS for questions about our services or to speak to a doctor about your symptoms or conditions.

• What is online therapy?

  With the Amwell web or mobile app, you can see a psychologist or counselor, face to face to address common behavioral health challenges, from the privacy and comfort of your own home. Amwell’s online therapy services are available nationwide and include a network of more than 350 psychologists, social workers and other mental health disciplines with a wide variety of specialties.

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• Do I need to schedule an appointment for online therapy?

  Psychologists and counselors are available for scheduled sessions. To schedule an appointment, log on and select the time that works best for you.

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• How long is a typical online therapy visit on Amwell?

  A typical therapy visit on Amwell is 45 minutes. The average number of visits a patient has is six, but each patient has an individualized treatment plan and your therapist may recommended more or fewer visits.

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• How much does a visit cost?

  Visits cost $109 (master’s level) or $129 (doctoral level), compared with the average national cost of $161, and usually just a co-pay or meeting a deductible if your employer or insurance company offers a telehealth benefit. Contact your Human Resources department or health insurance company to see if your visit is covered.

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• Will I be charged more if I talk to a therapist on weekends, holidays or at night?

  No. The cost is the same no matter when you talk with a therapist.

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• Is my online therapy visit private and secure?

  Yes, we feel it is of utmost importance to maintain patient privacy and keep information secure. Amwell is designed to be a private, secure, HIPAA-compliant tool that allows you to safely and confidentially consult with a doctor online.

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• Why would I see a therapist online?

  One in four Americans is affected by emotional distress at some time in life, but only one in eight seeks care. From chronic concerns such as depression and anxiety, to recent stress caused by events such as grief, divorce, childbirth/parenthood, menopause, or other major life changes, online therapy allows for reliable and convenient therapy visits with licensed and highly trained therapists.

  Here are a few reasons people go online to see a therapist:

  • I feel like I should probably see a therapist, but can’t really fit it into my over-booked schedule.

  • I am experiencing stress at work and need someone to talk to.

  • I am having relationship problems and don’t know where to go from here.

  • I don’t know why I am feeling so sad.

  • I just need someone to talk to.

  • There aren’t many therapists in my area.

  • I’m not sure if a therapist could help me with my anxiety or not.

  • My therapist is on maternity leave and I don’t want to go to go to a clinic.

  • I just moved and don’t know any therapists in my area.

  • I just need a second opinion.

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• Are online therapy sessions recorded?

  No, to ensure privacy and security of data, Amwell therapy sessions are neither recorded nor stored.

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• Who are the therapists?

  The telehealth therapy services provided by Amwell are provided by a network of licensed doctoral level psychologists and master’s level therapists practicing within the Amwell Medical Group. Each therapist is licensed to practice in their state, and trained in prevention and treatment techniques via telehealth. In addition to therapists, we have online physicians who can prescribe medications and manage urgent care and regular office visit medical needs staffed by a national network of U.S. board-certified clinicians devoted to video telehealth.

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• What types of conditions can online counseling help treat?

  Online counseling has been demonstrated as an effective treatment modality for a wide range of conditions and diagnoses. The vast majority of symptoms that would be appropriate for treatment via outpatient therapy in a brick and mortar setting can also be effectively treated online. Because a mental health clinician's primary tools are their voice and language, therapy is an ideal fit for telehealth! Just as in a brick and mortar setting, the most important consideration is finding a therapist who has the clinical skill and experience to meet your needs, and with whom you feel comfortable. In other words, whether online or in-person, finding the right match is key. There are some situations in which office-based therapy would be a better fit than online counseling. Examples include someone who is unable or unwilling to reliably access the necessary technology, lack of sufficient internet, someone with urgent safety needs, someone whose symptoms prevent them from engaging effectively in communication via video, young children, or those who do best with the various wrap-around services that can be offered by a community clinic or group practice setting. In each of these examples, there may be an opportunity for online therapy to be integrated into treatment, but not as the primary modality. Some people simply enjoy or value the process and routine of going to an office setting, which online therapy would struggle to replicate!

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• Can I see a therapist online if I am traveling or in another state?

  Yes, just make sure to select the state you’re in under My Location and you’ll only see therapists licensed to see you in that state. When using the app, you can choose to update your current state based on mobile geolocation, making it faster to find a doctor, whether you are home or on the go.

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• What is an online therapy session like?

  An online therapy session is essentially the same as an office visit but it is from the convenience of the location of your choosing. You will be asked about your current emotional symptoms, potential factors contributing to these symptoms, your history and what you would like to be accomplished in therapy. Using all of this information your therapist will come up with a thorough assessment and treatment plan recommendations. This will be an ongoing conversation and can change if your needs change over time.

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• Can I see a therapist if I am traveling outside of the United States?

  While we hope to soon be available internationally, we currently only operate in the United States.

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• Can my kids see a therapist on Amwell?

  Yes, we have therapists in each state who are trained and experienced in treating children ages 10-17 with parental or guardian consent. As with the medical practice, the parent needs to add a sub-account to their own account to make an appointment for the child.

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• Can a therapist on Amwell prescribe medication?

  None of our therapists prescribe medication. In practice, the therapists are there to listen, understand your situation, identify more effective coping strategies and help you through difficult stages of life. However, physicians and psychiatrists on our system can prescribe most psychiatric medications for patients seen on our system. Our therapists work in collaboration with our physicians to provide this multi-disciplinary care resulting in efficient and effective care.

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• Will my primary care provider be notified about my online therapy visit on Amwell?

  You have the option to share the session notes with your primary care provider. You will be asked if you want a copy of your after-visit summary to be shared with your primary care provider. If you choose to share your after-visit summary, Amwell will fax or electronically transmit your after-visit summary. You can also print the notes and save them for your own file or share with other healthcare professionals. You may also decide not to share this information. The choice is yours.

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• What if I don’t like my therapist?

  Entering counseling is a big step in caring for yourself, and your relationship with your therapist is an important part of your success in treatment. Do not be hesitant to interview more than one therapist to find the therapist that has the experience, qualifications, and professional skills that allows you to be the best you can be. A good therapist will respect your choice to do so.

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• I have a question that isn’t listed here. Can you help me?

  Don't see your question? Don't worry. Just e-mail support@americanwell.com or call 877-410-5548. We have highly trained health service specialists standing by to take your call, 24/7.

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• What are some common types of online therapy?

  Many therapeutic techniques that are practiced in a brick and mortar setting can effectively be used in telehealth as well.  As mental health clinicians, our primary tool is our voice and our language, and telehealth presents no barriers to their use!  Many therapists are practicing the same types of therapy online as they do in a brick and mortar setting.  Telehealth technology can support individuals, couples, family, and group therapy.  Therapists frequently use evidence-based treatment such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, and others.  

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• How do you know if your problems are "big" enough for online therapy?

  When considering taking the step to seek mental health services, there is no need to question or worry about whether your problems are "big" enough to warrant it.  Everyone can benefit from mental health support at times throughout their lives, and it can be helpful to think of emotional wellness as just another aspect of your health to monitor and maintain.  Just as you visit a dentist or doctor for regular check-ups and non-urgent needs, our mental health benefits from proactive and regular attention.  It can be helpful to remember that therapy does not have to be a long term commitment; some people truly do benefit from one or two sessions, while others may be best helped by a longer course of treatment.  A good therapist will never question you for seeking care for your emotional wellness, we welcome anyone interested in improving their mental health!

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• What expectations should a person have going into their first online counseling session?

  The first online counseling session is all about getting to know one another, and also getting to know telehealth if you've never used it before.  Most people get comfortable with the technology very quickly and find that the screen tends to "fade away" a few minutes into a conversation.  Your therapist will ask you questions, both about what brought you to schedule a therapy appointment as well as about other areas of your life and experiences.  Their goal is to learn about you and your needs so they can best help you.  While it may be a new experience to have so much focus on yourself and your life, remember that you can go at a pace most comfortable for you.  The therapist will also want to be sure they are going to be able to best meet your needs.  Just as in any other setting, therapists have various strengths, weaknesses, and areas of skill that may not be exactly what you need.  The first therapy session is also a chance for you to think about whether the therapist is a good match for you!  One of the most important factors in successful therapy is a positive connection between the therapist and client, and it is important that you as a client be sure that you feel comfortable with a therapist and confident that they will be able to help you.  We encourage patients to feel empowered to work with a therapist they feel connected to, even if that isn't the first person they try.  You'll also start talking about goals, or what you hope to get out of therapy.  While it can help to think ahead about these things prior to your first session, don't worry if you aren't sure what your goals are or even the exact reasons why you felt motivated to start therapy.  These things can be hard to put into words, and therapists are trained to help people start from scratch in better understanding their thoughts, feelings, and potential areas of improvement.  The important thing is to take that first step!

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• Is there a type of person who benefits most from therapy?

  All sorts of people with all sorts of symptoms, experiences, and struggles have benefitted from therapy. Broadly speaking, the only real requirement for therapy is that you have some degree of motivation to be there. It can be small, and it can ebb and flow, but without some willingness to participate in treatment, a therapist is hardpressed to offer any help. With willingness and an open mind, anyone can benefit from therapy. Online therapy in particular can help break down some of the most common barriers to accessing mental health care. The technology allows you to have a therapy appointment from nearly any location that is convenient and comfortable to you. There is no travel to an office, and telehealth provides access to a wider selection of clinicians for those with limited local mental health resources. Going to an office setting, sitting in a waiting room, etc can be uncomfortable for some, and telehealth affords the privacy and anonymity of treatment from your own home. Because telehealth offers flexibility to therapists as well, there is generally more availability for appointments in evenings, early mornings, weekends, holidays, and other times outside of traditional office hours. The video technology is simple to use from devices many folks already own, and most people find that the screen tends to "fade away" after the first few minutes of a therapy appointment. Online therapy breaks down barriers to bring effective and convenient mental health treatment to people who may not otherwise be able to access it- try it yourself to see!

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• How can one make the most of their online counseling sessions?

  It can help to think a bit about what prompted you to seek therapy and what you may want to get out of therapy before your first session and on an ongoing basis. Identifying goals to work towards is always a good thing. But it's also okay if you aren't sure of what you want to achieve in therapy, or maybe aren't even sure of what to talk about. Therapists are trained and experienced in helping people get comfortable with therapy, answering questions, and working with you to set a path. Therapy is most effective when you continue the work between sessions. This may mean simply reflecting on what you and your therapist discuss, noticing changes in your thoughts or behavior, practicing new skills or suggesting activities, journaling, or even completing "homework assignments" such as suggested reading, worksheets, thought or mood logs, etc. The more you put in, the more you get out!

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