Teletherapy | Santa Monica
A 50-minute therapy appointment in Santa Monica can easily become a much bigger commitment once you add traffic on the 10 or PCH, parking, and the time it takes to get across town.
Teletherapy in Santa Monica gives you a way to work with a licensed therapist without adding another commute to your week.
I’m Kavita Patil, MA, LMFT, and I offer online therapy and psychotherapy throughout California, including Santa Monica, from my practice based in Santa Barbara. Sessions take place through secure video, so you can meet from your own home, a private office, or anywhere else you feel comfortable speaking openly.
My approach is relational, which means we’ll spend our time together looking closely at the patterns in your relationships and in your relationship with yourself, and working to shift the ones that keep you stuck.
When Life Starts to Feel Overwhelming
Life can feel overwhelming for all kinds of reasons: a demanding job, a relationship going through a rough patch, a transition you didn’t see coming, or simply carrying more than feels manageable day to day.
Talk therapy gives you a steady, consistent space to slow down and make sense of what’s going on. You don’t have to wait until things reach a breaking point to reach out.
Why Santa Monica Clients Choose Teletherapy
A lot of what makes therapy hard to start isn’t the therapy itself. It’s fitting it into a life that’s already full.
If your time is limited and your schedule shifts week to week, teletherapy lets you keep a consistent appointment without losing an hour to travel on either end. If you’re a parent juggling school pickups and after-school activities, you can meet with me during a quiet window at home instead of coordinating childcare around a commute.
Online therapy also gives you more privacy in some ways than an in-person waiting room might. You choose the space, and you decide who knows you’re in session and who doesn’t.
Mental Health Concerns I Support
As a licensed clinician, I work with adults and young adults navigating a range of mental health concerns, including
- Anxiety and symptoms of chronic stress
- Low self-esteem and people-pleasing patterns
- Life transitions, including career changes, breakups, and major decisions
- Relationship difficulties, including communication breakdowns and recurring conflict
Every concern looks different from person to person, and we’ll build coping skills that fit your specific situation rather than a one-size-fits-all plan.
Therapy Services I Offer
I offer individual therapy and couples therapy, both delivered entirely through online, remote appointments.
For individuals, our work focuses on understanding the patterns keeping you stuck and building the skills to respond differently, whether that's setting boundaries, managing anxious thoughts, or feeling more grounded in who you are.
For couples, I draw on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), an evidence-based approach that helps partners identify the emotions underneath their conflict so they can strengthen communication and respond to each other with more understanding.
I also offer trauma-informed therapy, which means your history is held with care throughout our work together, even when trauma processing isn't the primary focus of a session.
What to Expect: Remote Appointments
Sessions happen over a secure, HIPAA-compliant online platform. Before we begin, I’ll send you a link to save so you can join easily at our scheduled time.
You’ll want a private space where you can speak openly, along with a stable internet connection. Many clients find a quiet room at home works well, though some prefer a car during a lunch break or another location where they won’t be interrupted.
Beyond the format, remote appointments with me look much like in-person sessions would. We talk, we slow down, and we notice what comes up together.
Research suggests that therapist-guided remote therapy can be comparably effective to in-person sessions for many concerns, including mild to moderate anxiety, everyday stress, and routine talk therapy.
Teletherapy also makes it easier to maintain continuity of care when work, travel, or schedule changes make getting to an office difficult.
For deep trauma processing, high-conflict couples work, or an acute crisis, in-person care through a local provider may be a better fit, and I’m glad to help you think through what would serve you best.
Who Teletherapy Is For
Teletherapy through video sessions works well for many people, though it isn’t the right fit for every situation. It tends to be a good option if you:
- Have a demanding or unpredictable schedule
- Want to avoid the time and stress of commuting for sessions
- Prefer meeting from a familiar, private space
- Are managing an illness, mobility limitation, or caregiving responsibility that makes travel difficult
- Live in Santa Monica or elsewhere in California and want consistent access to therapy
Teletherapy also gives you access to licensed therapists beyond those with offices close to where you live, which can make it easier to find the right fit.
If you’re in the middle of a mental health crisis or need a higher level of care, online therapy on its own isn’t the right level of support, and I can help point you toward more appropriate resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is teletherapy as effective as in-person therapy?
For many concerns, clients report that teletherapy feels just as effective as in-person sessions. What matters most is the relationship between you and your therapist and your consistency in showing up for the work, both of which teletherapy supports well.
Do I need special equipment for online sessions?
No. A computer, tablet, or smartphone with a stable internet connection and a private space is all you need.
Is teletherapy secure and confidential?
Yes. Sessions take place on a HIPAA-compliant platform, and the same confidentiality that applies to in-person therapy applies here.
Can I do teletherapy from anywhere in Santa Monica?
Yes. As long as you’re physically located in California and have a private space and reliable connection, you can join a session from home, work, or another location that feels comfortable.
How do I know a telehealth provider is legitimate?
California’s Board of Behavioral Sciences advises verifying that any provider offering telehealth holds an active California license. I’m licensed as an LMFT in California, and you’re welcome to verify my license before we begin working together.
Does insurance cover teletherapy?
I don’t accept insurance directly, but I can provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. I’d recommend confirming your out-of-network benefits with your insurer before we begin.
What if I've never done therapy before?
That’s completely normal. We’ll start at your pace, and I’ll walk you through what to expect before your first session.
Email:
[email protected]
Address:
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Mon – Fri: 11am – 7pm
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed
A Gentle Next Step
If commuting has been the thing standing between you and starting therapy, teletherapy may be worth considering. It won’t be the right fit for everyone, but for many Santa Monica clients, it’s made consistent therapy possible in a way that in-person sessions couldn’t.
There is hope for feeling more balanced, more calm, and more like yourself again. If you’re curious whether online therapy could work for you, I’d be glad to talk it through. Reach out to schedule a consultation and see if it feels like a good fit.