The way people seek help for their mental health has shifted dramatically in recent years. For many Californians, the days of rushing through traffic just to make it to a therapy office are no longer the only option. Online therapy in California has become a flexible and effective way to access support without leaving the comfort of your own home.
At A Mission for Michael (AMFM), we’ve created services that come to the people. Our Mission Connection, an online outpatient program in California, allows people statewide, whether they’re living in Los Angeles, San Diego, or Orange County, or elsewhere, to participate in therapy sessions remotely. These programs are continuations of our Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) based on a range of mental health issues.
Most people, when they think about online counseling, they wonder, “Is that the same as sitting somebody down face-to-face?” And the answer is yes—it just comes in a different package. Online sessions use secure, HIPAA-approved video platforms that allow the client as well as the therapist to communicate face-to-face. Sometimes sessions will also include secure messaging or scheduled phone calls, whatever the client feels most comfortable with.
In daily practice, this translates to being able to log on to a session during your lunch break, after work, or in your living room. Therapy is still formal yet disciplined, but the hurdle of daily commute disappears. To individuals who contend with busy schedules within the metropolitan cities of San Francisco, Los Angeles, or San Diego, such convenience could be the factor that separates access to assistance versus postponement of care.
We accept most major insurance providers and can check your coverage levels for you.
If we are not an appropriate provider for care, we will assist in finding a care provider that can help.
In-person therapy remains valuable for those who prefer a traditional setting, yet virtual therapy has shown itself to be equally effective for many mental health conditions. Studies on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and even trauma treatments such as EMDR confirm that these approaches work online as well as in a physical office.1
Where online therapy excels is accessibility. Living in a state the size of California, people living outside the city or in underserved neighborhoods do not automatically live next door to a professional. Teletherapy erases that constraint. Individuals who used to need to drive hours to be cared for can now access high-quality clinicians they’re rematched with on their laptop or phone.
One of the strengths of online therapy is its adaptability. It doesn’t restrict who can benefit; rather, it expands opportunities.2
AMFM’s Mission Connection program extends these services throughout California so that clients, regardless of age or anything else, are provided the care they require.
"*" indicates required fields
Complete the form to receive a prompt call back from a member of our experienced and compassionate admissions staff. All communication is 100% confidential.
Online platforms are not watered-down versions of real care—they deliver the same evidence-based treatment options that work in clinical settings.3 At AMFM, our team provides a range of therapies adapted for the online space:
These therapies are administered by professionally licensed clinicians like LMFTs, LCSWs, and psychologists, who are equipped to practice caring therapy no matter the office-based or digital modality.
Complete the form to receive a prompt call back from a member of our experienced and compassionate admissions staff. All communication is 100% confidential.
"*" indicates required fields
Virtual therapy services also offer other many advantages that go beyond the convenience to the citizens of California:
These advantages both make online therapy an option, as well as the most preferable sustainable care approach, in the vast majority of situations.
There are millions of families living in California who lead very demanding lifestyles. Online counseling comes as a lifesaver to their lives. They don’t need babysitters to be organized or face traffic; they can both log in together to do family therapy.
Couples benefit as well. Whether they live together in Los Angeles or deal with long-distance commitments, online couples therapy allows partners to privilege the relationship regardless of separation or time issues. Therapy addresses issues of communication, problem-solving, rebuilding trust—that’s exactly the same as being seen face to face.4
Even as the practice of online therapy becomes the norm, there are still some apprehensions that persist. Clients would fear the sessions would be any less real or effective. But the reality is the therapeutic relationship develops rapidly online.5
There are also concerns about privacy. AMFM uses HIPAA-compliant platforms so that the sessions are secure. Therapists are also trained to be helpful with technicalities, switching to phone calls if internet connectivity drops. The most important factor is still the relationship itself. A good fit between therapist and client matters far more than whether sessions are held online or in a physical office.
What to Expect
Insurance Verification
Our team will verify if your insurance provider is in-network with an AMFM Healthcare Facility.
Contact From Admission Representative:
Expect a call within an hour from an admissions representative to discuss treatment options.
AMFM stands out among the California state regarding the incorporation of online therapy as part of organized outpatient programs. Our Mission Connection program also offers the availability to access Partial Hospitalization (PHP) as well as Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) online.
This entitles people to something more than once-a-week therapy; they are also eligible to be included in an overall plan of care that encompasses:
California is vast, and mental health services are not distributed evenly. People living in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego are sometimes burdened with the double problem of high demand and long travel time. Others living in the country may be without a clinic within easy reach. With the availability of online therapy services throughout the state, AMFM fills those gaps. Whether located in a busier urban neighborhood or a more rural portion of Northern California, the online site provides access to care beyond the limitations of geography.
We accept most major insurance providers and can check your coverage levels for you.
If we are not an appropriate provider for care, we will assist in finding a care provider that can help.
There is no definitive response. While there are those who thrive within the routine of office-based practice—waking up, getting dressed, walking into an office, sitting where they’re told, and closing the door to the distractions of daily living—the convenience of teletherapy provides, for the first time, routine care freedom. It is usually best to make the decision based on a free consultation. This will allow you to experience video therapy, determine if the relationship between your therapist and yourself is a good fit, as well as if it is easy to integrate into your everyday lifestyle.
We think here at A Mission for Michael that everyone should receive high-quality mental health care. Our online therapy in California is designed to do just that, merging the best of technological access with the expertise of our licensed professionals. As either individual therapy, couples, group, or structured PHP/IOP programming, we ensure that each client receives the care that best suits their situation and goals. If therapy is something that intrigues you or someone close to you, but logistics are causing problems, then perhaps the Mission Connection program holds the key.
Call us today for a free consultation and see how your online therapies will place you on the path to stability, resilience, and long-term well-being.
Kysely et al., “Couples Therapy Delivered Through Videoconferencing: A Comparison With In-Person Delivery,” PMC (NCBI), 2022, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8855148/
American Psychological Association, “Online Therapy Is Here to Stay,” APA Monitor (Jan. 2021), https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/01/trends-online-therapy
Nowrouzi-Kia et al., “Evaluating the Efficacy of Telehealth-Based Treatments for Mental Health: A Review,” Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, published ahead of print, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39485666/
Fernandez et al., “Live Psychotherapy by Video Versus In-Person: Meta-Analysis of Outcomes,” (unpublished manuscript), pdf, https://cams-care.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Teletherapy-Meta-analysis.pdf
K. Matsumoto et al., “Effectiveness of Videoconference-Delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” JMIR 23, no. 12 (2021): e31293, https://www.jmir.org/2021/12/e31293/
