It’s been a really strange year. Many places have been in lockdown, and many of us have, in one way or another, suffered because of the coronavirus pandemic.

One aspect of your well-being that you shouldn’t neglect in these hectic times is your mental health. You should know that even if you cannot see a mental health professional in person, you could always find a therapist online and give teletherapy a chance.

What is teletherapy?

Teletherapy is precisely what it sounds like — therapeutic services a provider delivers to a patient using virtual technology like video conferencing. It can include mental health services as well as speech and occupational therapy.

Teletherapy sessions are similar to traditional therapy sessions with one major exception—instead of sitting in the same room, patients and therapists interact via live video connection.

Using a secure platform, clinicians and a Virtual Medical assistant can connect with clients virtually and converse just as they would in an in-person session. Each virtual session is private, and clinicians are required to use approved software that complies with the HIPAA Privacy Rule, which ensures the data is confidential and secure and that all medical information is safeguarded, including therapy session notes.

Is it effective?

Many people have raised concerns about whether digital communication can provide skills, tools, and healing power to individuals staring at a screen.

One of the biggest concerns about online therapy is that therapists don’t have an opportunity to observe the patient, which is usually integral to assessing and diagnosing. The tone of voice, body language, and overall demeanor provide insight into an individual’s well-being.

However, research consistently shows that online treatment can be beneficial for many mental health issues. Besides, it has numerous advantages that in-person therapy sessions cannot offer. Read about them below.

It offers greater accessibility

Online therapy offers access to mental health information and treatment to people in rural or remote areas. Those who live in such areas simply might not have access to any other mental health treatment form because there are limited or no mental health practices in their geographic location.

Also, some people may benefit from therapy that addresses their experiences as veterans, women, or members of the LGBTQ community. With teletherapy, people have greater access to therapists who can meet their specific needs, regardless of location. Increased access may result in a better therapist match and better long-term results for the client.

Thirdly, teletherapy provides accessibility to individuals who are disabled or housebound. Mobility can be a big issue when it comes to accessing mental health care. A therapist practicing out of their own home, for example, may not be set up to accommodate all potential clients.

Greater anonymity

Teletherapy services offer a higher degree of anonymity than traditional therapy, allowing patients to express their emotions without worrying about judgment.

Being honest with your online therapist—whether in person or using teletherapy—allows patients to feel listened to and understood. It’s important to remember that you’re doing yourself a disservice if you hold back during therapy. Although live video conferences or phone calls with your counselor may feel uncomfortable at first, it’s essential to let out your emotions in the same way you would during an in-person therapy session.

You need to be able to trust your counselor, and that takes time, but if you’re already in a safe space where you feel like you can be yourself, you’ll be able to open up. It can be challenging to get comfortable enough to open up when you’re in a physical office on someone else’s turf. You’re eliminating some of the anxiety that you might feel when you have control over the location, such as the comfort of your living room.

Flexibility

Many people are overworked and overcommitted, and it can be hard to schedule a therapy session during limited office hours. When a therapist is available at a time convenient for the patient, it offers greater flexibility and allows more people to get the support they need when they need it.

With teletherapy, patients don’t have to sit in a waiting room, and they can often get an appointment sooner than if they were going into the office.

You can simply go to a private room, turn on the computer, and engage with a clinician – a much more appealing and viable option for many.

Different forms of communication

Text messages, phone conversations, email, video conferencing, and chat rooms are all types of communication telehealth services currently use. It offers the freedom and flexibility to choose the most appropriate form of communication. In-person counseling usually limits communication to brief phone calls and in-office appointments.

You should know that telehealth providers will go to great lengths to keep their client’s information safe, including meeting HIPAA regulation standards and encrypting data, so your sessions will be as secure and private as they can be.