The use of Teletherapy as a means to receive mental health services has increased dramatically in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic forced both providers and consumers of mental health services to adapt when in-person treatment was no longer an option. Now that in-person treatment has returned, there are still many who prefer a teletherapy experience. Below are just a few of the benefits of teletherapy.
Benefits of Teletherapy
- Increased access – you are no longer limited to mental health providers in your immediate area. You can now select any provider you find to be the best fit as long as they are licensed to practice in the state you live in.
- Rural location – living in rural areas used to mean that your only options for therapy were to whoever happened to live nearby. Now someone in Morgan City can realistically choose from a much larger pool of therapists.
- Commute challenges – Teletherapy can be a great solution if you prefer not to take off work for therapy or do not want to contend with traffic.
- Illness – It is a great option if you have a cough or runny nose and do not want to spread it to others but do not want to give up your opportunity to meet with your therapist.
- Easier to protect confidentiality – If you are worried about seeing someone you know in the waiting room, teletherapy eliminates the risk of running into others.
- Scheduling difficulties – Sometimes a clinician’s availability makes it difficult to meet in person.
- Increased satisfaction – many clients like it!
- Continuity of care despite absences (travel, vacation, weather, illness). You don’t have to miss an appointment because you are out of town or because a storm arrived out of nowhere.
Research conducted in the past few years has revealed additional benefits to teletherapy. Many people find it just as effective as in-person therapy. Also, the home environment can feel safer and more natural. In addition to experiencing a stressful commute, oftentimes going to an in-person therapy visit requires navigating a large office building with difficult-to-find parking.
There are a few things for you to be aware of when choosing to go virtual:
- Consider the space you will use. Do you have a strong internet connection? Is the space private and free from distractions?
- Make sure your clinician is using a HIPAA-compliant platform.
- If your clinician is located in a different state, ask them if they are licensed to provide services where you live. Additionally, teletherapy providers in Louisiana are required to complete periodic training in teletherapy and be approved by their governing board.
- If you have any questions or concerns, voice them to your therapist.
Teletherapy represents an exciting change in mental health. Now, more than ever, people have greater choices and are not limited by their location when searching for the best care for themselves. If you want to learn more about teletherapy you can connect with one of our therapists to find out if it’s the best fit for you.
