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Is Virtual Therapy Available in California?
Yes. Virtual therapy is available to California residents at Arlene Drake, Inc. Dr. Arlene Drake, PhD, LMFT, offers individual, group, and couples therapy through secure video sessions to adults living in California. Telehealth eligibility and whether online therapy fits your situation are confirmed during a consultation. The practice does not currently offer virtual therapy outside California.
Written by Dr. Arlene Drake, PhD, LMFT. This article is educational and not a substitute for individual clinical advice.
Who can receive virtual therapy from this practice?
Virtual therapy is offered to adults who live in California and are eligible for telehealth. Eligibility and fit are confirmed during a consultation, in part because effective online therapy depends on practical factors such as having a private space and a reliable connection. Because the practice is licensed and practicing in California, sessions are provided under California's telehealth rules, and the practice does not currently offer virtual therapy to residents of other states.
How do online sessions work?
Sessions take place over a secure video connection at a scheduled time, from a location where you have privacy and a stable internet connection. The therapy itself follows the same active, structured, and goal-oriented approach as in-person work: understanding how past experiences affect the present, recognizing patterns, and building practical tools. You are never required to share more than feels safe, and the work proceeds at your pace.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
A growing body of research finds that video-delivered therapy can be comparable to in-person therapy for conditions including PTSD and trauma-related distress. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 randomized trials, covering more than 2,800 adults, found no meaningful difference in outcomes between video-delivered and in-person treatment for PTSD, mood, and anxiety disorders, with comparable therapeutic alliance. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD similarly describes evidence-based PTSD treatments delivered by telehealth as feasible, acceptable, and effective.
Sources: Psychiatric treatment via telemedicine versus in-person modality: systematic review and meta-analysis (2023) and the VA National Center for PTSD on telemental health.
What research shows on average is not the same as what fits a specific person. Some situations are better served in person, and suitability is always assessed individually rather than assumed.
What do I need for a virtual session?
- A private, quiet space where you can speak freely without being overheard
- A reliable internet connection and a device with a camera and microphone
- A comfortable setup, such as a table and chair or a stable surface for your device
- Time before and after the session to settle in and transition back to your day
If technology or privacy makes online sessions difficult, it is worth saying so during your consultation so the practice can talk through options with you honestly.
What about privacy and confidentiality online?
Confidentiality is a central part of the therapeutic relationship, and the same professional and legal limits that apply to in-person therapy apply to virtual sessions. Before beginning, the practice explains how sessions are conducted, how your information is handled, and the limits of confidentiality required by law or where there is a risk of serious harm. Practical privacy matters for you too: choosing a private space, using headphones if others are nearby, and logging in from a device only you control.
What should I expect in a first virtual consultation?
The consultation is a conversation, not a therapy session. It is a chance to ask questions about the approach, fees, and availability, to confirm whether telehealth fits your situation, and to decide without pressure whether the practice feels like the right fit. Requesting a consultation does not guarantee acceptance into treatment.
Where to go from here
You can request a consultation through the contact page or by calling (818) 516-3013. To learn more first, read about individual trauma therapy, group therapy, and couples therapy, or visit the frequently asked questions page.
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Begin with a conversation
Begin from wherever you are in California
Ask questions about virtual therapy in a consultation, confirm telehealth eligibility and fit, and decide without pressure. A comfortable way to take a first step.