Teletherapy & Online Therapy
All kinds of activities and services that used to exclusively be available in person can now be reached online as well, and that includes mental health counseling and mental health care. Especially since the pandemic, there has been a growing wave of people that have begun using therapy through telebehavioral health or telemental health counseling to get the support they need. If you’re new to teletherapy, you may wonder how exactly it works, how teletherapy is different from traditional therapy, and whether telehealth is effective. We’ll examine these questions in depth below.
Mental health teletherapy
Teletherapy refers to receiving mental health care in a virtual format. Teletherapy typically applies to online talk therapy sessions, which are usually conducted by telephone call or video call with therapists. Exactly how teletherapy works depends somewhat on the platform or telehealth service you go through. In most cases, however, you’ll move through the following steps in your initial teletherapy sessions:
- Sign up for the platform or service
- Provide information about the mental health challenges you’re seeking help with
- Provide information about your needs and preferences in a provider (e.g., someone experienced in LGBTQIA+ issues, someone trained in trauma-informed therapy, etc.)
- Get matched with a licensed therapist
- Meet with them regularly via phone or video to set treatment goals and receive treatment
If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.
Online therapy benefits
You likely don't need to travel for teletherapy
One of the key advantages of virtual therapy is that it can be done from almost anywhere, which can be less stressful than commuting to therapy. If you have a device and an internet connection, you can sign on to teletherapy sessions with your therapist and receive high-quality care from home.
That means teletherapy allows people who might not have the ability to get mental health care otherwise to get the treatment they may need. For example, some teletherapy users live in rural areas, meaning there might not be in-person providers anywhere near them. Other teletherapy users have a physical disability or a mental illness like social anxiety that may make it difficult or impossible for them to leave their home to get to their sessions. Still others may not have reliable transportation, or may have too busy a schedule between caring for children and work to allow for commuting back and forth to appointments. In situations like these, online therapy and teletherapy can be a much more convenient option.
You can control your environment during the therapy session
Virtual counseling may be more cost-effective
Mental health professionals who provide in-person guidance generally have significant costs to cover, such as rent for their space. However, those who conduct teletherapy tend to have fewer such costs and may therefore charge less for their services. The average cost of an in-person therapy session in the United States is between $100 and $200. The average cost of a teletherapy session tends to be much lower. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, for instance, costs range from $65–100 per week (based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply) to have sessions with a qualified therapist. Although BetterHelp in particular doesn’t accept insurance, this cost is comparable to most insurance co-pays. In other words, those who can’t afford regular in-person therapy sessions may find that online therapy is a better fit for their budget.
You may have more mental health service provider options with teletherapy
For those who live in remote areas where there aren't a lot of therapist options, teletherapy can also represent a viable alternative. Unless you live in a major metropolitan area, you may have trouble locating a provider who suits your needs or preferences, who is accepting new clients, and who is located within a reasonable distance of where you live. With teletherapy though, these limitations can be solved as you can choose from a much wider range of providers since geographic location is not a factor. This can be especially helpful for those who are seeking a specialist or someone with a specific type of expertise. It also allows people to switch therapists more easily if they find that the first one they try isn’t the right fit.
Teletherapy or virtual counseling
- A 2020 study reports that online cognitive behavioral therapy—one of the most common types of talk therapy today—is “at least as effective” as in-person CBT in reducing symptoms of depression.
- Another study suggests that virtual therapy is an “effective and cost-effective” treatment method for symptoms of anxiety, with another that found the same for symptoms of depression.
- A study conducted at the University of Zurich found that individuals who received virtual therapy were more likely to describe their care as “personal”. This finding is meaningful since a positive therapist-client relationship is typically highly important for treatment efficacy.
- Finally, couples who attended relationship counseling together via video reported that they felt safer and “less intimidated and judged” by their therapist, according to one study.
Get started with teletherapy
Takeaway
What's online therapy?
Online therapy and teletherapy is a legitimate type of therapy that is conducted online with an online therapist. Online therapy and teletherapy can improve telehealth services for vulnerable populations who don’t have transportation or therapy services in their area, for people with physical disabilities and are less mobile, or for people who are busy with work or family obligations.
What's teletherapy?
Teletherapy literally means “therapy from far away.” Teletherapy work is online counseling that happens through a variety of technological media, such as text messaging, telephone therapy, or video chat. Many therapists these days offer teletherapy options.
Can online video therapy be as effective as in person therapy?
Online therapy has been proven to be just as effective as traditional in person therapy in a therapist's office.
Can online therapy improve mental health?
Yes, online therapy has been shown to be effective in improving mental health outcomes.
What're some possible advantages and disadvantages to teletherapy?
Advantages of online therapy and teletherapy are that you save time and money by not needing to travel to a therapist’s office and also being able to engage in therapy from the comfort of your own home. Disadvantages to teletherapy are that some people prefer to be in the safety of a therapist’s office and prefer to meet with people face-to-face.
What are online therapy sessions like?
Online sessions in therapy are just like in-person sessions except that you speak with your therapist via technology such as a video chatting platform.
Is online therapy expensive?
Most teletherapy therapists charge between $60 and $200 per hour, and sometimes more. Many providers take insurance, so check to see if your insurance covers therapy services. Online platforms such as BetterHelp may offer more affordable options, too.
Is online therapy protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act?
Yes, online therapy is protected by HIPAA, which means that therapists must protect your information.
How do I get the most out of teletherapy?
You can get the most out of your teletherapy services by showing up to appointments on time, being honest and open with your therapist, and doing any “homework” that your therapist gives you.
What is the difference between telehealth and teletherapy?
Telehealth is the term for a wide range of health services that are provided from a distance. This can include speaking with a pharmacist about medication or video chatting with your primary care provider. Teletherapy is a specific kind of telehealth that’s focused on delivering therapy services.
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