Dr. Nina Rathmann, LCSW, CSW

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Emotionally-Focused Therapy focuses on emotions and close bonds, helping people name and process strong feelings to repair how they relate and feel connected. It is often used for intimacy issues, trauma responses, and deep grief where understanding emotion patterns matters. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice thoughts without getting stuck in them and commit to actions that match their values. It is useful for anxiety, stress, chronic health challenges, and when someone wants clearer goals for life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behavior and teaches skills to shift unhelpful patterns. It is practical for depression, anxiety, and everyday coping strategies. Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to choose or blend methods based on the person's goals, comfort, and response to initial sessions. This helps shape a flexible plan rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol. Online therapy offers practical benefits for people juggling busy lives or health constraints. Video calls allow face-to-face interaction and visual cues, phone sessions work when bandwidth is limited, and chat or text options make brief check-ins and ongoing encouragement easier. These formats increase flexibility for scheduling, let sessions fit around work or caregiving, and support steady progress over time.