Steven Levenkron, M.S., one of our alumni, is a groundbreaking and well-known psychotherapist specializing in anorexia, self-mutilation, OCD, and sexual abuse. He is the author of both fiction and non-fiction books that provide theoretical analyses of his areas of expertise. In a career that began in 1970,  Levenkron has provided over sixty thousand hours (and counting) of therapy and boasts a 90% recovery rate for his patients.

Ray Barrett of Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC recently sat with Steven Levenkron to discuss his years of experience and the success he has experienced when using technology in his treatment of patients.  Levenkron has found that abuse victims are more open when care is provided at a distance. When those clients find themselves alone in a secure environment and at no physical risk from others, they tend to open up more quickly and disclose to the provider - hence, care and treatment begin much faster. For abuse victims, non-verbal communication (such as email) is the most effective for opening up, followed by audio (telephone), and video conferencing. The least effective style of meetings for this clientele is same-location sessions.

Though located in New York City, Levenkron connects with his clients using videoconferencing and is, therefore, able to serve those in need who live far beyond NYC and the tri-state area. His extensive and long-standing use of "teletherapy", or telemental health care, has not only proven to be extremely efficient and effective in treatment but has also allowed Levenkron to continue to provide care for years well beyond what a provider would typically be able to do with regard to traditional in-office hours, commuting, etc.

You may read more about Steven Levenkron here, and a list of his published works can be found here.