Teletherapy
Teletherapy is professional, licensed therapy delivered through a secure video platform — the same quality of care as in-person, from wherever you are in California.
What is Teletherapy?
Teletherapy — also referred to as online therapy or virtual therapy — is the delivery of professional mental health services through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. It offers individuals, couples, and families access to licensed therapists from the comfort and privacy of their own space, removing many of the practical barriers that have historically made consistent therapy difficult to maintain.
At TrueMe® Counseling, teletherapy is not a lesser version of in-person care — it is a fully clinical, deeply personal experience delivered through a different medium. Our therapists bring the same training, the same evidence-based approaches, and the same commitment to individualized care to every virtual session as they do to sessions in our Culver City and Thousand Oaks offices. Research consistently supports the effectiveness of teletherapy for treating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and a wide range of other mental health concerns, with outcomes comparable to traditional face-to-face therapy for most clients.
Teletherapy Available Throughout California
Teletherapy is available to residents throughout California, making it an ideal option for clients who live far from our physical offices, travel frequently, have demanding schedules, or simply find that the privacy and convenience of a home-based session allows them to show up more openly and consistently. All that is required is a private space and a reliable internet connection.
Common signs Teletherapy may be for you:
- Your schedule makes consistent in-person sessions difficult
- You live outside a convenient distance from a therapy office
- You feel more comfortable opening up in your own space
- You have tried to start therapy but logistics keep getting in the way
If you identify with 2 or more of these, you may be a good candidate for our testing and assessment.
OUR CLINICAL APPROACH
How we treat you — and why it works
Most therapy fails because it’s generic. At TrueMe® Counseling, our licensed therapists use a structured, evidence-based framework built around your specific needs, history, and goals — not a one-size-fits-all program.Whether you’re across the street or across the state, we’re here — in person or virtually throughout California.
Clinical Assessment & Root-Cause Mapping
We begin with a thorough clinical assessment — identifying your specific challenges, personal history, thought patterns, and underlying triggers. This isn't a generic intake form. It's the diagnostic foundation that everything else is built on.
Cognitive Restructuring
Using CBT and other evidence-based modalities, we help you identify and challenge the distorted thinking patterns keeping you stuck — whether that's anxiety, depression, low self-worth, or relationship difficulties. You learn to respond to life differently, from the inside out.
Behavioral Intervention
Insight alone doesn't create change — behavior does. We use structured techniques to help you break the cycles, habits, and avoidance patterns that have been holding you back. This is where meaningful, real-world transformation begins.
Personalized Treatment Planning
No two people are the same — and neither are their treatment plans. Your therapist builds a roadmap tailored specifically to your needs, goals, and pace. Every session is purposeful, intentional, and designed to move you forward.
Progress Tracking & Plan Adjustment
Healing isn't linear — and your therapist knows that. Progress is regularly reviewed and your treatment plan is adjusted in real time to ensure you're always moving in the right direction at the right pace for you.
Resilience Building & Long-Term Independence
The final stage equips you with a personalized, lifelong toolkit — regulation strategies, early warning recognition, and sustainable coping skills — so that when life gets hard, you have everything you need to handle it. The goal is independence, not dependency on therapy.
YOUR THERAPY JOURNEY
What to expect in therapy
Starting therapy can feel intimidating — especially when you’re already carrying so much. Here’s exactly what the process looks like, step by step.
Free consultation call
Before anything else, you’ll have a brief, no-pressure call to share what you’re going through and ask any questions you have. There’s no commitment — just a conversation to make sure we’re the right fit for you.
Your first session
Your first session is a relaxed, open conversation — not a test. Your therapist will take time to understand your history, your current experience, and what you’re hoping to achieve. Many clients leave their first session already feeling a sense of relief just from being heard.
A personalized treatment plan
Your therapist will work with you to create a plan tailored specifically to your needs — not a generic program, but a personalized roadmap designed around your unique history, goals, and what you’re going through right now.
Ongoing sessions & real tools
Each session builds on the last. Using CBT and other evidence-based methods, your therapist will help you identify the thought patterns and behaviors holding you back — and equip you with practical tools you can use in real life between sessions.
Tracking your progress
Healing isn’t always linear — and your therapist knows that. Progress is regularly reviewed and your plan is adjusted as needed to ensure you’re always moving in the adirection at the right pace for you.
Life beyond anxiety
The goal of therapy isn’t just symptom relief — it’s lasting transformation. You’ll finish therapy with a deeper understanding of yourself, a toolkit you carry for life, and the confidence to face whatever comes next.
Meet Our Therapists
TrueMe® Counseling is a team of licensed MFTs and PhDs with decades of combined clinical experience.
Marina Edelman LMFT #51009
Founder of TrueMe® Counseling | Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Cheryl Baldi,
LMFT #39801
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Dr. Rachel Chistyakov, PsyD, LMFT #150001
Licensed Psychologist
Sharalee Hall,
LMFT #135374
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Chris Calandra, AMFT#129479
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
Suzanne Perry,
AMFT #132904
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
Hayley Willis, AMFT #132776
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
Jasmine Johnson, AMFT #137660
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
Kylee Garfield, AMFT #145651
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
Sean Palmer, AMFT #
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
FAQ - TELETHERAPY
Frequently Asked Questions About Teletherapy
Honest answers from our licensed therapists — before you take the first step.
1. Is teletherapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Yes — and the research supports this consistently. Studies across a wide range of presentations show that teletherapy produces outcomes comparable to in-person therapy for most clients. At TrueMe® Counseling, our therapists bring the same clinical training, the same evidence-based modalities, and the same relational investment to every virtual session as they do in person. The medium is different. The quality of the work is not.
2. What do I need to get started with teletherapy?
You need a private space where you won’t be interrupted, a reliable internet connection, and a device with a camera and microphone. Your therapist will send you a secure link before your session. Sessions are conducted through a HIPAA-compliant video platform — no downloads or technical expertise required.
3. Can family therapy be done effectively via teletherapy?
Yes — and many families find the virtual format surprisingly effective. You and your family can join from the same location or separate locations. The Gottman Method and EFT both translate fully to the virtual format. For the most intensive relational work, we may recommend incorporating in-person sessions, and your therapist will advise on what is most clinically appropriate.
4. Is teletherapy available throughout California?
Yes. All TrueMe® Counseling therapists are licensed in California and provide teletherapy to clients statewide — from Westlake Village, Culver City, Simi Valley and every point in between.
5. Can I switch between teletherapy and in-person sessions?
Absolutely — many clients do exactly this. A hybrid approach combining virtual sessions for convenience with periodic in-person sessions for deeper work is often highly effective. Transitioning between formats is always supported and never disruptive to the therapeutic relationship.
