Common Questions:

What is E-Therapy Café?

E-Therapy Café is an online counseling platform rooted in expertise, ethics, and experience. We remove the barriers many people face when seeking support and by offering cost-effective, convenient, and secure therapy in the comfort of your own space. We leverage modern technology that allows access to services through our “More-Than-HIPPA- Secured” platform from your computer or mobile device . Anywhere. Anytime.

 

Who are the Expert Life Baristas?

E-Therapy Café™ is a diverse, Boutique Team of Licensed Therapists and Certified Life Coaches passionate about on helping people get unstuck, move forward, and create meaningful lives. Every therapist is licensed and every life coach is certified. You can have confidence that you are receiving expert care and guidance married with experience and passion.

 

How does this work?

You and your Life Barista have your own, dedicated private space to explore issues, identify obstacles, and lean into facilitating change.  You will have 24/7 access to your “Space” from your mobile device or computer to securely message, instant E-chat, real-time E-video, and E-journal with your therapist or life coach. You will be able to build your therapeutic relationships conveniently, securely, and privately to create the changes you desire.

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1. Choose. Choose your therapist and choose your plan (We can help too!) 

2. Register: Register using the brief registration form in the website under the "Registration" tab.

3. Connect: You will receive a confirmation and a “Welcome Email” from our amazing Help Desk.  The registration email will provide a link to your secure “E-Space” in which you will connect with your therapist and set up your personalized password. The E-Space is where you will schedule your appointments and meet with your therapist to work it out.  

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E- Video and E-Chat appointments are 30 minutes long, however, longer sessions may be scheduled by “stacking” your sessions back to back.  You can also mix and match your sessions (i.e. One E-Journal, One E-Chat, and One E-Video).

 

For your future sessions, you will login at the E-Therapy Cafe Website and click “Client Portal” tab. We recommend that you save our site in your bookmarks. You will receive the password for the Client Portal in your “Welcome Email.” How you use your credits is up to you! Schedule recurring, weekly sessions at a particular day and time or schedule sessions as needed. Your therapist will work with you to best meet your needs. 

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How do E-Videos work?

1. Go to your Client Portal > Find Your Therapist > Click "Secured E-Office"

2. Go to "Session Appointments" On “Upcoming Appointments” Click the appropriate Date

3. E-Therapy Café will use Vsee. To learn more, click HERE. 

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*Always make sure that your time zone is current in your Secured E-Space. Your therapist’s schedule is automatically adjusted for time zone differentiations. 

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IMPORTANT: Please be mindful of the 24 hour cancellation policy. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please let your therapist know at least 24 hours in advance and you will be able to reschedule for a later date. However, if you cancel the same day or are more than ten minutes late to a session, your credits will be adjusted as if you had attended your appointment. Our therapists and coaches work hard to be available when you need them so please respect their commitment to you by being on time. Respectively, we respect your time! For that reason, if our therapist cancel the same day or are more than ten minutes late to a session- we will give you a free session.

 

How do E-Chats work?

1. Go to your Client Portal > Find Your Therapist > Click "Secured E-Office"

2. Go to "Session Appointments" On “Upcoming Appointments” Click the appropriate Date

3. E-Therapy Café will use VSee, a HD-quality video application that works on most computers even with low Internet speeds. You can also download the app for your Android or Iphone.  You'll need to install VSee before your session can begin. Installing is an easy process that should only take about one minute. To learn more about VSee click HERE. 

 

How do E-Journals work?

Your E-Journal allows you to connect with your therapist anytime, anywhere! You never need an appointment. Just write, send, and expect a response from your therapist typically within 24-48 hours.​

1. Register, connect with your therapist- and write.

2. When you register, your therapist willconnect with you. You can share via email your thoughts!

3. Simply, write your 700 word (max) entry and click "submit". 

4. Your therapist will provide a thoughtful response and send it to you through your secured E-mail. Your last name, first initial will password protect the journal. 

 

How much does it cost?

We want you to feel confident with your choice. For that reason, we offer a “Trial” Session at discounted rate to give you the opportunity to chat with your therapist, identify your challenges and explore what moving forward would look like. All E-Sessions are pre-paid 24 hours prior to your scheduled time. You will NOT be charged unless you schedule an E-Session or submit an E-Journal.

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After your trial ($55), you have several ETCplan options 

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ETCStraight: Sessions for Individuals & Couples

• Half-hour sessions that can be stacked

• Various formats: Video, Phone, Email Journal, or Chat

• $75 for ETC Masters, expert-level life coaches

• 25-minute sessions

• Expires 30 days after purchase

• 24-hour cancellation policy

• Save up to $100 with an 8-session package

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ETCFlex: Monthly Flex Pack

• Choose session lengths from 30 minutes to 4+ hours per month

• One-time payment

• No commitments

• Purchase as needed

• Credits expire 30 days from purchase

• $550 for sessions with ETC Masters

• Save $50 per session

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ETCReflect: Digital Journal/Email Sessions

• Available anytime for advice or support between sessions

• Email or chat up to 700 words

• Responses are password-protected and prompt

• No appointment necessary

• Cost: $55

 

How do I pay? 

When you complete your registration in our more-than-HIPPA secured E-Space, you will enter your payment information. We do not ask for it outside of the secured platform. We currently accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. At this time, we only process payments online. We do not accept payment by phone, check, or money order. We also do not accept insurance payments. However, upon request, we provide a detailed monthly  "super bill" or "Bill of Services" for you to submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. Please note, you must be working with a licensed therapist for insurance reimbursement and state laws/exclusion may apply. 

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Do my sessions roll-over? 

No. The sessions expire 30 days from the date of purchase. Pay as You Go and Trials are also time sensitive with the 30 day expiration. Our Life Experts work very hard to make sure your needs are met and ensure their schedules allow for adequate time for each client every month. Session extensions overload their schedules, so the limitations allow for efficiency and fairness. This limitation allows us to offer such reasonable rates. Please note, there are no monetary refunds.

*In the event a refund is authorized, a $30 processing fee applies. 

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Can I change my session plan?

Yes. Just send us an email to hello@e-therapycafe.com and we will take care of it. This MUST be in writing at least 24 hour prior to your renewal date. 

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Can I cancel my session plan?

Yes. When you feel like you have reached your goals or want to try something different, you can either downgrade your subscription, suspend your account, or cancel. Just send us an email to hello@e-therapycafe.com and we will take care of it. Cancellations must be received 24 hours prior to the renewal date or will be processed the on the following cycle. 

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Can I freeze my session plan?

Yes. Just send us an email to hello@e-therapycafe.com and we will take care of it. We can freeze for 30 days with management approval.

*Please note that a freeze is designed to be mindful of travel and/or life situations. This is not designed to take advantage of the reduce subscription membership rates. 

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What if I do not qualify for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) prescription?

In the event you have not used the included E-Session, E-Therapy Cafe will refund you the session, minus a $110 Assessment Analysis fee. Please know, denials are based on not meeting criterion, history of animal behaviors (ie violence towards humans or others; breeds etc). ETC retains the right to refuse based on concerns the ESA will cause harm or not mitigate presenting symptoms. 

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Can I switch my Life Expert?

We know that finding a good fit is important. We have worked very hard to bring you the best of the best and we are confident in their skills. We encourage you to give your therapist time in order to build the relationship, adjust, and adapt. If there is an obstacle that you can not over come (such as time zone, availability, etc.), simply send us an email to hello@e-therapycafe.com along with your request for therapist change. We make it easy! We want to feel comfortable, not awkward.  To protect your privacy, switches between practitioners must be made by an E-Therapy Cafe admin. If you would like us to help choose, just ask. Otherwise, feel free to choose from our Team of Experts.

If it's an issue that can be worked out, such as availability of appointments, we'll do our best to make it work. But if you're just not feeling it, let us know and we'll make a switch for you - no questions, no awkwardness. If you'd like, we can then recommend someone who might be a better fit based on your preferences, or you can choose for yourself from our Team.

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Do you offer a Military Discount? 

Yes! We love our military. Our founder has 30 years of military experience and our team 15+ years more. We give 10% to all military members, dependents, and veterans for session plans only. 

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Do you offer a First Responder Discount? 

Yes! We love our First Responders. We give 10% to all First Responders and their families for session plans only. 

 

Do you offer a Student Discount? 

Yes! We love our students. We know that money is tight and we want to bridge the gap and make change affordable.  We give 10% to all college students actively enrolled. Discounts are for subscriptions only. 

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What is the Difference Between a Psychotherapist and a Life Coach? 

Our coaches are Master's level licensed clinicians. They are also expert level certified life coaches. Coaching and psychotherapy share some common ways of working, including even some specific techniques and methodologies. Both psychotherapists and coaches usually strive to create a client centered, collaborative partnership. They both form a trusting, respectful relationship that fosters deep listening and active communication.

They both believe that clients can best find their own unique solutions to issues, rather than having them come from someone else. Both use questions that raise personal awareness and increase personal insight.

Both psychotherapists and coaches ascribe to high ethical and professional standards. Both place the needs of their clients first, above their own. Both operate on the principle of confidentiality. Both strive to practice only within the scope of their training and effectiveness, and know when to refer a client to another professional.

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One of the biggest differences between psychotherapy and coaching is the focus. Therapists help you work through past issues while coaches focus on helping you build an ideal future. Read on for more insight. 

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How Psychotherapists and Coaches Differ

Keeping in mind that contrasting lists such as these can be overly sweeping, and not entirely explanatory of the subtleties that exist, here are some of the differences between coaching and therapy

COACHING focuses on self-exploration, self-knowledge, professional development, performance enhancement.
THERAPY seeks to heal emotional wounds.

COACHING takes clients to the highest levels of performance and life satisfaction.
THERAPY seeks to bring clients from a dysfunctional place to a healthy functioning level.

COACHING rarely asks about your childhood or family life.
THERAPY continuously explores early-childhood, family and relationship issues.

COACHING focuses more on the present and future.
THERAPY focuses more on the past and present.

COACHING is used by people who already are succeeding, but who want to succeed even more and at a faster rate.
THERAPY is used by people whose lives are not working.

COACHING focuses more on thoughts and behavior and how the client acts and thinks about things.
THERAPY focuses more on emotions and how the client feels about things.

COACHING focuses on solving problems in the now.
THERAPY explores the historical roots of problems.

COACHING works with the client's conscious mind.
THERAPY focuses on bringing the patient's unconscious mind into awareness.

COACHING focuses on creating the future.
THERAPY seeks to heal the past.

COACHING seeks to bring more power, control and joy to the client.
THERAPY seeks to remove the client's pain.

COACHING has strategies and objectives.
THERAPY has a treatment plan.

COACHING asks "What is next?"
THERAPY asks "Why"?

COACHING helps clients design their lives.
THERAPY resolves issues.

COACHING focuses on what is possible.
THERAPY focuses on what is the problem.

COACHING is goal-oriented, solution-focused and results and action-oriented.
THERAPY mainly seeks to increase patient insight, yet some therapists are solution-focused.

COACHING takes the client from where they are and helps them move forward.

THERAPY examines unfinished emotional business from all stages of life.

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What are the benefits of E-Therapy? 

• Convenient: Scheduling and conducting a session is easy as long as there is an internet connection.

• Flexible Appointment Options: Choose secured Video, Journal, or Chat.

• People with Disabilities including mobility issues, now have a solution that may work better for them.

• No commute or traffic to fight to get to the office.

• No worry about using personal leave, sick or vacation time to attend therapy.

• Anonymity:  We will know who you are and we verify your identity, however,  e-therapy provides a sense of anonymity that therapy in a traditional setting may not.  No one sees your car at the "Shrink's" office.

• Text-based Psychotherapy allows for a sense of easier disclosure.

• Online therapy refers to psychotherapy offered over the Internet. Clients speak to the therapist from the comfort of their own home, office or other remote location.

• Online therapy facilitates getting help in a confidential and convenient manner.

 

E-Therapy may meet your needs if you:

• Want anonymity:  We will know who you are and we verify your identity, however,  e-therapy provides a sense of anonymity that therapy in a traditional setting may not. 

• Do not have the time to get to and from a therapist’s office

• Are located too far for face to face visits with the therapist

• Are unable or unwilling to visit the therapist’s office for any reason

• Need to schedule therapy at a time when face to face appointments are not feasible

• Find is difficult to get to the therapist’s office because of any constraints

 

E-Therapy may not be appropriate for you if:​

• Have a history of psychiatric disorders and severe psycho pathologies

• Have suicidal thoughts

• You are in crises

• It is important that you seek professional help immediately through other channels of communication. You are not alone - people are standing by, ready to listen. If you are located in the US, call 1-800-784-2433 or 911 and ask for help. If you are  outside the US, to find the support hotline in your country and area. Please see our Resources. 

 

Age Requirements:
In some countries, like the USA, clients must be at least 18 years old to obtain services from a mental health professional on E- Therapy Cafe. Therefore, we require that you be at least 18 years of age to subscribe to our services. 

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*Please reference our Terms of Use before Registering.