Telemental Health Counseling & Behavioral Health Services
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As a more modern therapeutic option that grew in demand during the pandemic, online therapy, telemental or telehealth services can address the continuing public health challenges that pervasive mental health concerns pose. Telemental health care or telehealth services offer many clients convenience, flexibility, and affordability while still maintaining the expertise of licensed mental health professionals who adhere to the same rules—despite the involvement of technology in the support process.
Learning more about how to make the most of this type of therapy and mental health care can help you get started with a professional counselor. Read on to learn more about what telemental health counseling and telehealth services can look like, how virtual behavioral health services can help improve one’s mental health and best practices when it comes to sourcing your next mental health services.
Benefits of telemental health counseling services
There are various benefits of seeking telemental health services through telehealth counseling that you might encounter, including the following:
- The convenience of therapeutic and health services for those with limited in-person options
- A broader selection of health therapists, and provider options that promote new or varying styles or areas of specialty for mental health services
- More convenience when seeking mental health services
- Less expense
- Continuity of care for mental health
- Reduced stigma
- Comfort while taking care of your mental health
- No need for transportation
Studies have found that most individual patients feel most comfortable at home, further indicating online therapy's effectiveness. Traditional mental health services can add stress and inconvenience to the therapy process as clients may not feel comfortable talking face to face—and are required to make time in their day to commute to an office.
Telemental health and telehealth care appointments can be completed through phone or internet-hosted video conferencing or a phone call, which can make it convenient for many—and can make it possible ways for those living in rural or remote areas, or for people who have a hard time leaving the house for health services or health treatment.
Tips for making the most of online or telemental health services
Below are several tips for making the most of your telehealth counseling or telemental health services experience. If you have further questions about health information, or what to expect in your own experience in telemental health and telehealth services, you can ask your professional counselor how they prefer to lead your telehealth sessions.
Note the symptoms you are experiencing
Knowing your symptoms or diagnosis before attending counseling may help your telemental health professional determine the type of therapy or telemental and telehealth interventions and services you should receive. In addition, your telemental therapist can use their knowledge of your symptoms and unique life factors via their baseline and continuing education to develop a treatment plan early on. This can be especially true for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders and addiction treatment. Your telemental health care provider may coordinate with other medical or behavioral health experts on your care team to better understand your symptoms.
Identify the type of online mental health care you hope to try
There are various types of mental health care services and providers available. Determining which mental health services may most effectively address your concerns may be beneficial. For example, some therapy methods are more effective for specific symptoms or diagnoses than others.
For instance, one option for mental health care service is internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT), which has been suggested to be an effective treatment for mental health concerns such as depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, phobias, bipolar disorder, and other mental health disorders.
In addition, a 2015 study revealed encouraging outcomes for people who experience substance use concerns and who were administered a text messaging-based treatment for their mental health concerns. Text therapy may be beneficial if you want to talk to a provider without seeing or hearing them.
In addition to the 2015 study, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) notes that telemental health has been shown as an effective method for treating mental health issues such as addiction.
Smartphone apps are another telemental health option to consider. According to one study, many clients preferred app-based messaging, phone calls or videos to in-person therapy or text therapy.
Research your options for telemental health counseling services
No two telebehavioral health platforms or apps are the same in the types of therapy practices they offer. In addition, it can be crucial to find a platform that offers licensed professionals with reputable information and evidence-based practices.
Before signing up for an option, ask yourself how effective the app or website may be and if it seems like a good fit for your unique needs. One way to do this is to read the reviews of other users to understand the pros and cons of any particular platform.
Many platforms offer varying telemental health services and price points, as well. Make a budget and look for platforms within it. You may also want to talk with your potential therapist about your preferred type of treatment and ask about their treatment approach.
Check your telehealth counselor's credentials
Before beginning therapy with any practitioner, confirm they are currently licensed in your state or within the US to practice. Licensing requirements for counselors can vary between other states, meaning a licensed counselor in California may not be able to provide care to someone in Florida without a Florida state license. The same rule can also pertain to remote counseling or telehealth and telemental health services, so double-check before meeting with a provider. In addition, you may want to talk with your insurance provider to see if they can reimburse you for using their telehealth services.
In addition, verify that your telemental or telehealth therapist has experience treating your symptoms or concerns and has at least 1000 hours of clinical training. You can verify a telehealth therapist's license by contacting their state board. You can also check the organizations a therapist has been awarded training certifications from and search for their name and business name online to find reviews of their services. It is important to note that therapists are not able to prescribe medication or develop a medication management plan directly. However, they can refer you to a psychiatrist or other medical healthcare professional if they believe that medication would be beneficial.
Ensure you have proper telemental health counseling tools
If you are attending therapy online or telehealth services, check ahead of time that the counseling platform runs smoothly on your computer or mobile device, and be sure to download any necessary software or plugins requested. For example, some telemental therapists may use a video chat platform like Zoom for sessions, which can require a quick setup for you to use its services.
If you plan to use telemental health services with multiple devices, download and enable the service on each device you plan to use, ensuring the devices sync up with one another.
You may also need to test your internet speed to ensure it can hold up with a video call. Internet speeds under 10mbps may be too slow for therapy. However, you can do a test with your therapist or through your chosen telemental health service platform before the session if you’d like to verify your connection.
Be upfront about your needs
Online therapists and telehealth professionals should be respectful, caring, skilled, and non-judgmental when providing their services. If you feel you aren't receiving support, be upfront about your needs. Let your telehealth therapist know if you're interested in a different approach or feel disrespected. They may be able to change their approach or recommend a new type of telehealth therapy.
Therapy options
Many types of online therapy services are available to clients, including own practice or platform-based services. Some may fall under insurance or Medicare coverage, while others do not. If you're interested in removing barriers to own practice or in-person treatment, a platform may suit your needs. With an online platform, the cost of therapy can be significantly lower, and you can choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions with your therapist. Online platforms remove barriers and improve mental health resources in remote areas where there are not many in-person therapists.
If you're interested in trying online therapy, you can sign up for a platform like BetterHelp for a vastly growing database of counselors with experience in various areas of care.
Takeaway
What do mental health therapists do?
The role of mental health therapists or counselors varies depending on their license and degree. Some counselors also have a particular type of therapy they practice or a mental illness they specialize in. However, most counselors aim to help clients address various concerns, including mental illness, substance use, distressing symptoms, coping skills, and life challenges. You don't have to have a mental illness to go to therapy.
What is the difference between therapy and counseling?
Therapy and counseling are professional careers in the mental health realm. Counselors may offer more short-term, broad approaches and often have a master's degree. Therapists may be psychologists with a doctorate or individuals who work with clients for longer-term treatment. However, the terms "therapy" and "counseling" are often used interchangeably, and there may not be many vast differences between the two.
Is being a counselor stressful?
The role of a professional counselor can be stressful for some. Counselors may support distressed clients and learn challenging details about their lives. Some counselors will go to therapy themselves to learn techniques for handling these concerns.
What is telemental health counseling?
Telemental health counseling is a type of counseling delivered remotely. Remote delivery of mental health services and counseling can look different for every therapist, platform, and client, and there are a variety of telemental health technology options. For some, tele-mental health counseling is done over the phone, in real-time, using a safe line. For others, sessions are delivered over Zoom, FaceTime, or other videoconferencing technology. On some platforms, live chat messaging may also be an option.
Remote counseling differs from standard in-office treatments in several ways. For example, the mental health providers delivering these services may work from a home office or remote location, and because they might not rent an office or pay for travel, they can often offer cheaper session costs. Although the therapy methods can be similar or the same as in-person therapy, the online format may offer potential benefits including added convenience and more reachable additional resources in real-time, such as journal prompts, webinars, or printable worksheets.
How do you become a licensed telemental health provider?
The first step in becoming a licensed remote mental health provider may be ensuring your licensing and continued education credits are adequate and up-to-date. If you have an up-to-date state license and a degree in counseling, you can apply for platforms or register as an own practice LLC.
Before providing online therapy, you may want to take courses on the tele-mental health field and how it can differ from in-person therapy. For example, if you practice specific types of therapy that are often practiced in person, like EMDR, you may want a specialized education in how to perform it online to help you deliver quality services and further your professional growth.
You can also consider taking an exam to become a certified tele-mental healthcare provider. Some licensing boards offer this option. Check with your state licensing board to see the rules and regulations around practicing online.
What is the best telemental health platform?
The largest tele-mental health platform is BetterHelp, which offers over 30,000 online therapists throughout the US, available to anyone worldwide. BetterHelp's sister platforms can also offer benefits, including:
- ReGain telemental health services for couples
- PrideCounseling for the LGBTQ+ community
- TeenCounseling for teens aged 13 to 19
Is it better to see a therapist in person or online for behavioral health services?
Determining whether it may be better to see a therapist in person or online can vary by patient and depend on a variety of considerations. For instance, for individuals who live in a rural area and would have to travel great distances to connect with qualified clinicians, being able to meet with a therapist online may be much easier and more convenient. However, for some individuals and situations, in-person care may be necessary, and in these cases, connecting with local therapists or social workers would be more beneficial.
Does telehealth counseling work?
Yes, research has shown that telehealth counseling can be effective for a range of concerns. For some people, the convenience of online counseling can make it easier to connect with a qualified professional for effective mental health support.
What are the disadvantages of teletherapy?
Some of the disadvantages of teletherapy include the possibility of technical issues, the need for reliable internet and devices, and the limited ability to detect nonverbal cues. In addition, teletherapy is not appropriate for all situations or concerns.
How effective is telehealth for mental health treatment?
As the mental health landscape has evolved, research into online therapy has expanded, and a growing body of research has demonstrated that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for a range of mental health conditions.
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