The shift towards remote mental health services has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Believe it or not, telehealth was already a great way to make therapy accessible and convenient. However, the global crisis pushed this method of therapy to the surface and many of us have been able to enjoy the benefits of such modality. In short, telehealth is here to stay and it provides an innovating way of doing therapy.
Teletherapy, also known as telepsychology, telecounseling, or online therapy, refers to the provision of mental health services remotely through telecommunications technology. This can include therapy sessions conducted via video conferencing, phone calls, or even text messaging/chat platforms. It is important to note that confidential platforms must still be used when approaching therapy via telehealth.
Key aspects of telehealth include:
- Accessibility: Teletherapy makes mental health services more accessible to individuals who may face barriers such as geographic location, mobility issues, or lack of local providers. As a licensed therapist, I love that I can extend our services to individuals residing all throughout the state of Florida.
- Convenience: Clients can attend therapy sessions from the comfort of their own homes or another private location, eliminating the need to travel to a therapist’s office. This benefits particularly clients who are in the workforce as many of them can schedule appointments during lunch times.
- Flexibility: Telehealth often offers more flexible scheduling options, accommodating busy lifestyles and differing time zones. While we are still not able to provide services out of state without a license to practice, telehealth allows clients the flexibility of scheduling even when facing circumstances out of their control, such as lack of transportation or temporary illness.
- Privacy and Confidentiality: At Hope Behavioral Health, we use secure platforms to ensure confidentiality and privacy during telehealth sessions, adhering to legal and ethical standards. All of our platforms are HIPAA compliant, ensuring that clients receive an impeccable level of confidentiality. We do encourage our clients to hold their sessions from a confidential place, at the comfort their home or private space. It is not recommended to do a teletherapy session while you are driving.
- Efficacy: Research has shown that telehealth can be as effective as traditional in-person therapy for many mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders. While nothing replaces the personal touch that in-person therapy offers, significant progress can be made through attending sessions via telehealth.
Telehealth allowed for continued access to mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person services were limited due to social distancing measures. It continues to be an important option for mental health care delivery, providing increased access and flexibility for clients and therapists alike.
Want to find out more about telehealth services? Contact us or call us at (407) 906-5214.
DISCLAIMER: Although I am a mental health professional, the information I provide should not be considered a substitute for a formal mental health evaluation. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, you can contact us at (407) 906-5214.
Mental health is a complex and highly individualized matter, and what works for one person may not work for another. The best course of action for anyone dealing with mental health concerns is to schedule an appointment with us for a personalized assessment, diagnosis, and treatment options. Please remember that seeking help from a licensed mental health expert is a vital step in addressing mental health challenges.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please contact emergency services or a crisis helpline immediately.
Part of this content was created using the use of AI.
