The Benefits of Telehealth for Mental Health
28.2% of adults suffering from mental illness report they cannot get the treatment they need to address their condition.
As many as 42% of adults with a mental health condition report they can't get the help they need because they can afford the care.
Telehealth and teletherapy can change many of these statistics. Getting the counseling and therapy you need is as simple as picking up the phone and making an appointment.
It might surprise you that you can get mental health care services, including therapy through teletherapy, and there are many benefits too.
Read on to learn more about the many benefits of telehealth.
What Is Telehealth?
Telehealth is simply virtual healthcare. It allows patients to get the healthcare they once got in person via some form of technological connection.
While some forms of healthcare still require in-person, many types of telehealth are just as effective virtually as they are in-person.
While telehealth isn't as new as expected, many healthcare providers and patients swiveled to its use with more focus and intent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While it felt necessary then, what many patients and care providers realize now is that they don't want to go back.
How a Teletherapy Appointment Would Work
You might wonder how a teletherapy appointment might work. Generally, this means you meet with your therapist via video chat or phone for a session.
You might start with an online doctor consultation where the doctor can get a feel for your needs. You can learn about what options are available for teletherapy.
Different providers offer different avenues for therapy sessions. Often, though, the sessions are performed with the therapist, and the patient can talk through either a phone call or video call.
Advantages to Teletherapy
20.3% of adults in 2020 have received mental health services. About 16.5% of those adults also take some form of medication for mental health needs.
The issue is that for so many, they don't get access to the therapy they need. A virtual doctor's appointment for therapy offers a host of benefits for current and potential patients.
Let's take a closer look at the many benefits of teletherapy.
Availability
As mentioned, so many patients want access to mental health services and just can't get it.
Even if you have insurance, the wait time and delays to get into a provider often feel prohibitive.
Often teletherapy can shorten treatment delays because you have more options available to provide the treatment. You don't have to limit yourself to a therapist in your neighborhood or town.
Talk to your insurance provider, find out who offers the teletherapy, and get in touch.
Reach Remote and Limited Availability Locations
Teletherapy also increases accessibility for patients who may not have mental healthcare providers near them.
Maybe they live in a remote location with limited or no options for mental health care.
Teletherapy extends the reach of services by simply accessing technology. Now, if you have a phone or access to the internet, you can reach a host of providers that previously were out of reach.
Similar Care to In Person
Of course, not all healthcare works for telehealth. Mental health care services seem to be at an advantage and, in fact, are highly effective for therapy services.
Research studies show that teletherapy sessions are just as effective using technology as they might be in-person.
For therapists who feel it's essential to see the face of their patients while talking, video conferencing via a phone or computer is straightforward and pretty commonplace in today's world.
Control Your Therapy Environment
Having stress and anxiety can be overwhelming and exhausting. Many clients even feel like going to a therapy session is too much.
Yet, when they can do the therapy from the comfort of their home, it takes away some of the stressors.
Having a therapy session in your own home means you control the environment. You can sit in a comfortable spot. You can be in clothes that feel safe and comforting. You control the temperature of your environment.
These are all things that are important for many clients.
Time-Saving Benefits of Telehealth
Many people recognize the value of therapy in their lives, but finding time in a busy schedule can be challenging. From professionals to stay-at-home parents, the desire for mental health care is there, but the ability to pause daily responsibilities and travel to a therapist’s office often seems out of reach.
Telehealth offers a solution, making it easier to incorporate therapy into even the busiest of weeks. Here’s how:
• Clients can attend sessions during brief windows between work commitments
• No need to arrange childcare or leave home for an hour
• Eliminate travel time and waiting room delays
By choosing telehealth, therapy becomes a manageable part of a person's routine rather than a logistical hurdle. This approach has made mental health care more accessible to those who need it most, allowing them to prioritize their well-being without sacrificing other important aspects of their lives.
Addresses Other Health Concerns With In-Person Care
Some clients have other health conditions that can be risky if exposed to others. Illnesses and wounds (like those incurred from surgeries), no longer have to keep people isolated from mental health care.
With telehealth and teletherapy, a client doesn't risk exposure from others. They can remain in a safe, risk-free environment without losing out on care.
Get Concerns Met
The reality is that telehealth services can be just as good in many cases as in-person care. You will get your needs met without the need to be in a doctor's office and sitting across from the therapist.
Sometimes, it doesn't have to be more complicated to be good. You can have a teletherapy session.
You can sit and be face-to-face with the care provider and still get all of your needs met.
Flexible Scheduling
Life’s demands can make finding the perfect therapy time challenging. Traditional in-person sessions often limit options, but telehealth expands possibilities for both clients and therapists.
Here’s how teletherapy enhances scheduling flexibility:
• Reduced transition times for therapists mean more available slots
• Clients can fit sessions into smaller windows in their day
• Last-minute appointments are easier to accommodate
When unexpected situations arise and you need an extra session, telehealth is truly a great option. You’re not bound by office hours or commute times. Instead, you can simply connect via phone or computer, often finding an appointment that fits your immediate needs.
Telehealth transforms therapy from a rigid commitment to a adaptable resource, ready when you need it most. It’s about making mental health care work for your life, not the other way around.
Information Is Secure
Some clients will worry about privacy with teletherapy. They might fear that their information isn't protected because of the online appointment.
All HIPAA regulations are in effect for healthcare providers. They are legally obligated to ensure all your information is secure.
They must also ensure you have the privacy you need for your appointment. They want to know that if they say something, there isn't someone in the background that would jeopardize privacy in the appointment.
Provider Options
Embracing telehealth for your therapy needs opens up a world of possibilities when it comes to choosing your care provider. Here’s how teletherapy expands your options:
Geographic freedom: You’re no longer limited to therapists in your immediate area. Whether you’re in a bustling city or a rural town, you can connect with providers from across the state or even nationwide.
Diverse expertise: With a broader pool of therapists to choose from, you’re more likely to find someone who specializes in your specific needs or concerns.
Comfort and compatibility: If you don’t click with one therapist, it’s easier to try another without the hassle of traveling to different offices. This increases your chances of finding the perfect match for your personality and therapeutic goals.
Reduced wait times: More provider options often mean shorter wait times for your first appointment or between sessions.
Continuity of care: If you relocate, you can often continue seeing the same therapist, maintaining the rapport and progress you’ve built.
Teletherapy truly puts you in the driver’s seat of your mental health journey. You no longer have to settle for a provider simply because they’re nearby or immediately available. Instead, you can thoughtfully select a therapist who aligns with your needs, values, and preferences, ensuring a more effective and satisfying therapeutic experience.
Ease the Stigma of Therapy
Research shows that one of the biggest roadblocks to mental healthcare for many patients involves the stigma attached to seeking care. The stigma attached to seeking mental health services proves to be a prevention to care.
Clients might feel comfortable appearing at the office of a mental health care provider.
All these stigmas and concerns can get alleviated by having an appointment through teletherapy. Suddenly, the care becomes more approachable and less scary or intimidating.
Availability for Specific Populations
Teletherapy provides important availability for populations of people who might otherwise have difficulty getting to it.
This is especially important for clients with a developed relationship with a therapist.
Clients like individuals with disabilities, military personnel stationed overseas, or college students away from home don't lose access to the care they've started or need.
Improved Outcomes
Studies have shown that outcomes are often improved with teletherapy. The results could be associated with any number of reasons on this list that telehealth is a good idea.
Because there's more access and clients often feel better about seeking this kind of care, the outcomes are improved too.
Benefits for the Therapist Too
For all the benefits that are present for patients with teletherapy, most are also present for the therapist too.
They can often see more clients and have fewer costs to run their practice.
The same conveniences that exist for clients also benefit the caregiver too.
Benefits of Telehealth for Therapy
There is a long list of benefits of telehealth and seeking mental health care services in this way. Not only does it make it more accessible and convenient, but it often is also better for the comfort of the client.
If you want to learn more about Intermountain Counseling's services you can visit our webpage for online services, and if you're ready for telehealth services, we can help! Contact us today for a free consultation and to learn more about your options for services.
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