Everything You Need to Know About Telehealth Therapy: How It Works, What It Is Good For, and What It Is Not Good For
Therapy has changed in ways we never thought possible in the digital age. You don’t have to go to your therapist’s office anymore, wait in line, or deal with all the hassle of going in person. You can now get mental health help from the comfort of your own home and on your own time, thanks to telehealth therapy. But what is teletherapy, and how does it work? We’ll answer these questions and more in this post, which will cover everything from the pros and cons of telehealth to the different types of services that are available.
What is therapy over the phone?
Telehealth therapy, also called teletherapy or video therapy, is a type of mental health counseling that happens over the phone or through video conferencing. It lets people talk to licensed mental health professionals, like therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, without having to go to see them in person. Telehealth services have made mental health care easier to get than ever before, whether you need individual therapy, couples counseling, or family therapy.
You can talk to a mental health professional over the phone, video chat, or even text message through teletherapy. Telehealth counseling can help you with anxiety, depression, relationship problems, or just needing someone to talk to. It’s easy and private.
Different kinds of telehealth therapy
There are different types of telehealth therapy, and the best one for you depends on what you like and what kind of mental health help you need.
1. Teletherapy Counseling (Video Therapy)
Video therapy is the most common type of telehealth therapy. You talk to your therapist over a secure video platform instead of sitting in an office. This format lets you talk to your therapist in person, so you can get counseling as if you were in the same room. It’s especially good for people who need to see their therapist’s facial expressions and body language in order to communicate well.
2. Therapy by Phone (Phone Therapy)
Therapy over the phone is another option for people who would rather talk than see a video. With phone therapy, you can talk to your therapist without having to worry about being on camera. This is especially helpful if you don’t have a private space for video calls or if you just feel more comfortable talking on the phone than on video.
3. Therapy by text
Some people would rather write than talk or have a video call. With text therapy, you can send your therapist a message and get a response at a set time. It lets you talk to people in different ways and can be very helpful for people who are better at writing than speaking.
4. Managing Medications Online
People with mental health problems who need medication can use online medication management. This means getting mental health care and prescriptions through telehealth, which means you don’t have to go to the doctor in person. Many platforms offer this service, which lets you manage your prescriptions from home.
The Benefits of Telehealth Therapy
There are many good things about telehealth therapy that make it a good choice for a lot of people. Here are some of the best things about it:
1. Easy to use and get to
One of the best things about telehealth therapy is how easy it is to use. You don’t have to worry about how long it will take to get there, where to park, or taking time off work. You can set up therapy sessions during your lunch break or after work, which makes it easier to fit therapy into your busy schedule. Telehealth therapy also makes it possible for people who live in rural or underserved areas where there aren’t many mental health professionals to get help.
2. Comfort and Privacy
You can go to therapy sessions from the comfort and privacy of your own home with telehealth. This can help you be more open and relaxed during the session. Also, you won’t have to worry about running into someone you know at the therapist’s office, which can be a problem for some people who need help.
3. More services available
Telehealth therapy offers a lot of different mental health services, such as therapy for individuals, families, couples, and even people with addictions. You can also get specialized services like therapy for anxiety, depression, and stress management without having to leave your home.
4. Options that are easy on the wallet
Many telehealth platforms charge less than traditional therapy that takes place in person. Some even take insurance, which makes therapy more affordable for people who might not be able to pay for it otherwise. Also, if you want a payment plan that is more flexible, many services let you pay per session or in subscription-based models.
5. Easier to Find Therapists
Not every therapist is available in every area, but telehealth makes it possible for people to get help from anywhere. You can now get help from specialists or therapists who might not be in your area but are available online. Telehealth gives you access to a wide range of professionals, whether you need a family therapist, an addiction counselor, or a behavioral therapist.
Telehealth therapy has some problems.
There are pros and cons to telehealth therapy, just like with any other type of therapy. Before deciding to get therapy online, you should think about the good and bad things about it.
1. Limitations of technology
You need a good internet connection for telehealth therapy, and sometimes technical problems can get in the way of sessions. Therapy can be interrupted by bad video or phone connections, software bugs, or internet problems, which can lead to anger or misunderstandings.
2. Few Non-Verbal Cues
Video therapy can be like in-person sessions, but some nonverbal cues, like body language, may not be as easy to see on a screen. This can make it harder for the therapist to really get what you’re going through. Additionally, some individuals will find that it is more difficult to discuss emotions by phone or video.
3. Privacy issues
Most telehealth counseling sites will have a password-protected and encrypted server, but the risk of privacy being breached is still there, especially if you are using public Wi-Fi or insecure video conferencing software. It is important to choose a site that takes privacy and security seriously
4. Telehealth is not for everyone
There will be clients that are better off with in-person therapy, especially if they have a serious mental illness that needs immediate attention, or if someone needs to be directly monitored or supported; they will not benefit from telehealth. You should check with your therapist to see if telehealth is right for you.
Is telehealth therapy right for you?
It will depend on your mental health needs and personal preferences on whether telehealth therapy is a good fit for you. If you prioritize privacy, convenience, and flexibility, it may work for you. But if you need hands-on care or feel more comfortable with face-to-face sessions, traditional therapy might be a better choice.
What Can You Expect from a Telehealth Therapy Session?
Your telehealth session will be like in-person therapy in that you will talk to your therapist about your feelings, problems, and goals. Most therapists will follow a similar structure to in-person sessions, which usually last between 45 and 60 minutes.
Before your session, make sure you have a private, quiet place with a good internet connection. You should also use a secure video conferencing platform that your therapist has given you. Your therapist will help you talk about your thoughts and feelings during the session.
How to Pick the Best Telehealth Services for Mental Health ?
There are so many telehealth platforms to choose from that it can be hard to pick the right one. When choosing a service, here are some important things to think about:
Therapist Availability: Make sure the platform has a lot of licensed therapists who are experts in the area you need help with.
Cost: Consider different pricing models to fit your budget. Some platforms let you pay per session, while other platforms may require an ongoing payment model (monthly).
Insurance: Be sure to check to see if your insurance is accepted on any of the platforms, or if the platform possesses a payment plan.
User experience: Use a platform that embodies ease of use and has features such as text therapy, appointments, and reminders.
Conclusion
Telehealth therapy is transforming the way we access necessary help for our mental health. Telehealth allows for more individuals from all walks of life to obtain the help they need without the barriers of traditional therapy. Telehealth does this by providing them a simple, easy, and accessible solution. Telehealth is here to stay, whether you use video therapy, phone therapy, or text therapy. Telehealth could be the top choice for you if you’d like to prioritize your mental health.
