Therapy From Home: Telehealth For Therapists
Telehealth therapy has changed the landscape of mental health care, and it has become a valuable option for therapists and clients alike. For example, these clients are no longer limited to healthcare professionals in their immediate area, and therapists don’t have to be restricted to office schedules. Below, we’re going to discuss what telehealth is (specifically as it relates to behavioral health), the benefits of telehealth for clients and therapists, and how you can utilize virtual therapy to connect with the right professional for you.
What does a telehealth therapy session look like?
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, telehealth refers to “the use of electronic information and telecommunication technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, health administration, and public health”. Telehealth, or virtual care, involves connecting with a health care provider remotely through a use of technology and without the need to visit an in-person office. Virtual health has affected many different types of health care, including mental health treatment. Virtual health has expanded options for how mental health professionals provide services to clients and how clients can receive care.
Virtual counseling through video, voice call, or in-app messaging
So, what exactly does it involve? It means meeting through video calls, phone calls, or even in-app messages. This way, people can attend sessions without having to travel to an office, and even without having to leave their homes.
Effectiveness of online therapy for mental health concerns
While virtual care may not replace traditional therapy completely, online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be an effective. In fact, research has demonstrated the effectiveness of online therapy for mental health conditions such as depression, social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, substance use disorders, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and more.
Benefits of telehealth for therapists
Telehealth services can circumvent several common obstacles to providing in-person care. Virtual care has several potential benefits for counselors, including the following.
Flexibility and comfort
Virtual care can allow counselors to be more flexible with scheduling and work from their home or their office. This can be especially helpful during severe weather or when other issues make in-person appointments difficult to get to these offices.
Increased demand for therapists
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the demand for virtual services. As counselors switch to or supplement their in-person practices with online offerings, they can reach a broader population.
Reduced "no-show" rates
Teletherapy may help reduce missed appointments due to travel time, illness, or other problems that can prevent the patient from attending an in-person session.
Efficient use of time and resources
By having sessions online, counselors can reduce the time and resources spent on travel, therapy office space, and other in-person needs. Additionally, many telehealth therapy platforms offer subscription-based pricing that does not involve health insurance, which can save a therapist's time that they may otherwise spend working with an insurance provider. This increased efficiency means online providers can use the extra time and resources to focus on helping clients, doing research, and spending time with their family or friends to have a better work-life balance.
Benefits of online therapy for clients
Virtual care can also provide several advantages to the clients. The following are potential benefits for clients, which may involve cost or time savings with improved care.
Improved session availability and convenience of online therapy
One of the main advantages of using virtual care is that it can be easier and might be more convenient than in-person therapy. With online platforms, clients can connect with mental health experts when and where it works best for them. Unlike with in-person therapy, clients do not need to commute to a therapist’s office. Often, all that is needed is a reliable internet connection.
Lower costs of telehealth for therapists lead to affordable therapy for clients
Another benefit of speaking with an online therapist is the potential for lower costs. Virtual care can save counselors money on things like office space, savings they can even pass on to clients. Many telehealth for therapy platforms offer subscription plans for a monthly fee. Such plans are often as affordable as traditional in-person therapy through a health insurance provider.
Virtual counseling can help alleviate mental health stigma
Some people who want to seek mental health services may feel deterred by any stigma surrounding getting help with mental health. Clients may feel shame or embarrassment around attending therapy. Virtual care lets clients get mental health services from home or quiet places.
Wider range of therapeutic experts
Telehealth for therapy can also give people a larger pool of mental health professionals to choose from without the limitations of physical proximity. This can help clients connect with a mental health professional who will be the right fit. Telehealth therapy platforms often work with psychologists, licensed professional counselors, licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, and other types of providers.
Types of online therapy
With so many telehealth for therapy options, it can sometimes be confusing trying to figure out where to start. Synchronous, asynchronous, and remote monitoring are three different types of virtual therapy services used in counseling.
Synchronous telehealth through video and phone calls
Synchronous telehealth is when a counselor and a client communicate in real-time, such as through video or phone calls.
Asynchronous telehealth
Asynchronous telehealth doesn't happen in real time. Instead, counselors and clients exchange messages or information, such as progress updates or questions, at different times. This method can be useful for reviewing a client's concerns and providing thoughtful feedback.
Remote monitoring
Remote monitoring involves using technology to track a client's mental health progress from a distance. This type can be helpful to keep track of their clients' progress and provide support when needed, even if they can't meet in person.
It’s also important to note that many telehealth for therapy services cannot provide mental health diagnoses or medication management. However, online providers can connect clients with valuable mental health resources, such as informational articles on various disorders and exercises that help address challenging symptoms.
Choosing an online therapy platform for your mental health
Counselors and clients may want to consider a few factors when choosing a virtual care platform, such as how easy it is to use, equipment that might be needed, and any features it offers.
Clients may also want to research each platform's cost and if it offers any types of counseling clients want to engage in. For individuals interested in seeking telehealth for therapy from a licensed therapist, BetterHelp is one option to consider. Choosing telehealth therapy through a platform like BetterHelp allows you to connect with the right therapist. BetterHelp works with licensed professional counselors, licensed clinical social workers, and several other types of professionals—who all have at least three years and 1,000 hours of hands-on experience.
Takeaway
Virtual care has changed how mental health care can be provided, offering flexibility and convenience for both clients and counselors. Some potential benefits of virtual care for counselors include reduced no-show rates and efficient use of time, while client benefits include overcoming stigma and a wider range of experts to choose from. With telehealth therapy through platforms like BetterHelp, individuals can connect with a licensed therapist wherever they have the internet.
How has the adoption of telehealth for therapists changed the way psychologists practice therapy with their clients?
During the pandemic, more and more professionals in the field of psychology and psychiatry adopted telehealth as a way of meeting with their clients online rather than face to face. Now, many therapists provide telehealth services in addition to in-person sessions as an alternative to traditional therapy.
What are some benefits and challenges of integrating telehealth for therapists into traditional therapy practices?
Everyone’s experience is different, so a therapist may have unique benefits and challenges of integrating telehealth into traditional therapy. Still, some common benefits may include convenience, better client retention, and unique insight into a patients’ environments. Typical challenges include a lack of patient engagement and technical difficulties in a virtual environment.
What are the complications of teletherapy?
Potential complications of teletherapy versus face-to-face therapy may include communication difficulties (particularly with non-verbal communication), lack of engagement, and negative impacts on the therapeutic alliance. In some cases, teletherapy could be less discrete than in-office therapy. For example, parents may be tempted to listen in during teletherapy with an adolescent.
How to do online therapy?
Participating in online therapy may require a few steps, including researching various platforms, choosing a therapist, and deciding whether online therapy is a good fit for you. You can try a couple of online sessions on platforms like BetterHelp to see how you like it before committing to ongoing therapy via telehealth.
Can you talk to a therapist online for free?
It may be difficult to find a therapist licensed to offer telehealth services who you can talk to for free, but it may not be impossible. Check with your local health department and inquire about community mental health organizations or go online to visit the websites of government and non-profit agencies like the National Alliance on Mental Health, for example.
It could be easier to find low-cost virtual therapists. If you have insurance, inquire about in-network therapists near your current location that may be covered. Moreover, online therapy services like those offered from BetterHelp tend to be more affordable, so you may pay less for the service, even without an insurance plan.
What is the biggest disadvantage to telehealth?
Perhaps the biggest disadvantage to telehealth is its inability to treat all mental health conditions. Some severe or complex mental health issues are still best treated via traditional therapy.
What are the disadvantages of telerehabilitation?
Potential disadvantages to telerehabilitation include a lack of patient interaction, difficulties with assessment, and inefficiency. In some cases, being connected in person is vital to the success of treatment.
Is online counseling any good?
Whether online counseling is any good is an opinion based on individual experiences. Even so, research has proven online therapy to be just as effective as face-to-face therapy for many mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. To increase the chances that your experience with online therapy will be positive, research the platform and the therapist beforehand.
Can I text an online therapist or mental health professional?
Yes. Text therapy is available, but it may not be appropriate for all mental health situations such as crisis situations or severe mental illness.
Can I do self counseling?
In some cases, self-counseling might help, especially if you’re willing to do some research. Still, many people and situations benefit from the expertise of a mental health professional such as a licensed clinical psychologist, mental health counselors, or psychiatric nurses.
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