Telehealth has been a lifesaver for many individuals seeking mental health treatment for the past few years. For those living in a remote area or with transportation barriers or who are in the process of finding a therapist or health professional, telehealth is a great option.
Time
Regarding telehealth mental health counseling, patients can save time by avoiding the long trips to and from in-person sessions. For some, just navigating a therapist’s office can take up an hour of their day.
Telehealth allows sessions on the weekends and during non-traditional hours, making fitting therapy into busy schedules easier. This flexibility helps to decrease the number of no-shows and increase continuity of care for patients whose needs may vary during the week. In addition to eliminating the need to travel, telehealth eliminates waiting for an appointment. This can make a huge difference to those with a mental health condition who may have difficulty meeting in person due to anxiety, fear of being seen or interacting with strangers, or financial limitations.
Privacy
Mental health counseling is a personal and sensitive practice. Patients must be comfortable sharing their concerns and feelings online for these sessions to work. While telehealth has advantages, people with certain needs, such as those experiencing family crises or suspected abuse, may need in-person treatment.
Fortunately, telehealth allows counselors to expand their services beyond their local area and into new geographic regions. This helps them grow their patient base while reducing overhead costs. With telehealth, clients can avoid the stress and expense of travel while still receiving high-quality care. Clients can meet with their therapists from home or in another private location with an internet connection. Many telehealth providers offer specialty services such as teen counseling, grief support, DBT for depression, and more to make finding the right therapist for their needs easier. As these specialized telehealth services gain popularity, it will be important for counselors to consider how these innovations will impact their relationships and practices.
Access
Telehealth uses videoconferencing or telephone calls to support long-distance clinical health care. It allows counselors to reach patients living in remote areas or needing access to a counselor. It also helps to lower “no-show” rates and improve continuity of care by eliminating the need for transportation or expensive office visits.
Many employer-sponsored health plans offer telehealth services, including mental health counseling. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth visits accounted for less than 1% of all healthcare visits. However, during the pandemic, telehealth utilization increased dramatically.
Convenience
A telehealth visit is a quick and convenient option. The patient logs in from home or work and talks with a provider for an hour. The time saved is a major benefit. People often miss in-person sessions due to a lack of transportation or feeling under the weather. Using telehealth eliminates those reasons for visit cancellations.
The convenience of telehealth counseling also makes it easier for counselors to maintain relationships with patients who move or have difficulty scheduling in-person appointments. This is important because many people hesitate to seek mental health care because of its stigma.
