Michelle Tufaro, LCSW

Practical Therapy Approaches for Online Care

Many clients benefit from clear, skills-based work that targets current problems. One common approach focuses on building coping skills and practical strategies to manage stress and anxiety. That work teaches simple breathing, grounding, and thought-challenging techniques to reduce overwhelm and improve day-to-day functioning.

Another helpful approach centers on grief and loss support. This involves making space to name painful feelings, tracking how grief shows up in routines and relationships, and finding manageable steps to reclaim energy and hope. It can also address motivation and self-esteem by breaking goals into small, achievable tasks.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped in the past. Together they choose methods that match the client’s needs and adjust the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexibility that can fit a busy life. Video calls let people see facial cues and have more in-depth conversations. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a speaker-only check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging provide brief, frequent touchpoints for coping in the moment or keeping work on track between longer sessions. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent and accessible across different schedules.