Asynchronous Therapy

Online therapy on your schedule for anxiety, grief, and trauma based in Aptos and serving clients across California.

Therapy set to the rhythms of your life

Maybe you’re busy during normal therapy office hours, manage a chaotic and ever-changing schedule, or can’t commit to a regular therapy appointment schedule. It’s hard it is to find mental health care that works for you.

Or perhaps you like to take your time and thoughtfully process things. Finding the right words in the moment can be difficult, and you might feel like you often waste your therapy hour. If you just had more time to think through the patterns, you could express yourself better.

Asynchronous therapy lets you access support on your terms

This is a method where we don’t have any 1:1 calls like traditional online therapy. Instead we use secure messaging, email, or recorded video to help you work toward all the same goals as traditional therapy. 

This approach can be especially helpful for people who:

  • Process thoughts more clearly through reflective writing

  • Want support applying therapy skills in real life

  • Feel emotionally avoidant or disconnected from themselves

  • Need more continuity and support during difficult times

  • Prefer therapy without the pressure of a real time call

  • Value flexibility because of work, caregiving, or unpredictable schedules

Life happens in real time.

When you’re dealing with anxiety attacks, unpredictable waves of grief, deep emotional processing, therapy that goes beyond the typical hour-a-week format can help you engage with the skills and support you need right when it matters most. 

When an experience is fresh, asynchronous therapy allows you to contact your therapist right away instead of having to wait for your scheduled session time. Even the process of writing out what’s going on has therapeutic benefits, allowing you to notice and describe yourself and your experience in real time. Instead of only talking about what happened in retrospect, therapy gets integrated into your day to day life.

What to expect with asynchronous therapy

Instead of having a scheduled session every week, we’ll have an ongoing connection. Using secure communication methods like secure chat, encrypted email, you’ll write out or record a message about what’s going on for you and I’ll respond within established response windows. I give detailed, thoughtful responses- just like I’d give if we were face to face in a therapy session, but over time throughout the week.

This isn’t crisis care or live messaging, it’s a structure that feels supportive without creating pressure for either of us to remain “on” for a video call.

Asynchronous therapy can help you…

  • Actively use therapy skills in daily life

  • Slow down your experience by writing it out

  • Reflect on therapy insights as you need them

  • Get help that fits your needs and your schedule

Get the support you need at a pace that works for your life

Schedule A Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions about Asynchronous Therapy

 

What is asynchronous therapy?

This is regular therapy without any calls or need to schedule each session. We’ll each write or record our side of the conversation, and I’ll respond at set times throughout the week.

How does asynchronous therapy work?

I’ll start off each week with a message guiding our conversation to make sure we stay on track. I might ask if anything has come up, check in on goals we’re working toward, or follow up on skills you were practicing. You can respond in your own time- no pressure to come up with something on the spot. This is designed to give you the space to be thoughtful.

Is asynchronous therapy effective?

Studies done on asynchronous therapy have generally shown it to be effective. There are some caveats though. To get the most out of text-based therapy, it helps if you’re a fluent writer and express yourself well through the written word. And it’s not suitable for people who are in crisis. If you have a particular concern about your unique situation, send me a message or schedule a consultation and we can talk through it.

Is asynchronous therapy just texting?

Asynchronous therapy is usually text-based using secure messaging or encrypted email to maintain your privacy. But our messages are usually longer than just texts. It’s like having a typical therapy session, just in a written format and at your own pace.

What kinds of issues work well with asynchronous therapy?

Studies have shown this kind of therapy to work well with anxiety and depression as well as some kinds of trauma. I think it’s also well-suited to grief work since the pain of loss comes in waves and isn’t always active at the time of a scheduled session.

What if I process my emotions better through writing?

That’s perfect! People who are drawn to written expression typically do well with asynchronous therapy. But it can also be a helpful challenge for people who struggle to put words to their experience because this format gives you more time to think through what you want to say.

How does asynchronous therapy help with anxiety, trauma, and grief?

Unlike traditional therapy, you have the full history of our discussions where you can access them at any point- and even keep them when we’re done. You can go back and reference our conversations, suggested skills to use, or words of encouragement at any point, especially right when you need them.

How quickly do you respond to messages?

I send out our weekly discussion starter on Mondays and I respond daily Tuesday through Friday to anything you’ve sent from the previous day.

Is asynchronous therapy available 24/7?

No, this isn’t crisis support or live chat. I want to send you quality, thoughtful responses so I send responses daily during weekdays.

What happens if I’m in crisis?

Same as with traditional therapy, you can contact national or state hotlines.