To Telehealth or Not To Telehealth

Lack of convenience may keep you from therapy.

Seeking therapy in person is problematic for many.

Some individuals find setting aside a designated time and place challenging, especially while maintaining a household or working in an office.

Traveling to and from a therapist’s office is inconvenient and time-consuming for many. In some cases, there may be commitments at home that preclude an in-office visit.

It may be that some people don’t like the thought of being seen in a therapist’s office.

Telehealth removes many obstacles.

Telehealth makes psychotherapy accessible to more people.

Virtual therapy is provided online via video, phone, or text. For many clients, the convenience, flexibility, and comfort of seeing a therapist from anywhere that works for them make telehealth a preferred treatment option.

I have clients who schedule sessions on their lunch breaks or early in the morning before they start their day. Because so few individuals prefer in-person sessions, I no longer offer the latter, at least for now.

Telehealth is safe and effective.

Virtual therapy is also safe and confidential. I use health platforms that conform with HIPAA laws. Data are encrypted and don’t get stored.

You won’t have to download any programs or even create an account as a client. All you need is a device with a camera and microphone.

I find as a therapist that seeing and hearing a person in front of me on a screen still allows me to build an effective and often deep relationship with my clients, and they benefit from it long after they stop seeing me.

Preliminary studies show online therapy to be just as effective as in-person therapy, and this information confirms my experience with telehealth. To access these studies, please click here: How well is telepsychology working? (apa.org).

Perhaps it’s time to consider virtual therapy.

Although beneficial for many, virtual therapy is not for everyone. If you are a person who thrives on the social aspect of face-to-face interactions, you might want to look for a therapist who provides in-person sessions.

Deciding to receive telehealth is up to you. Telehealth may be the way to go if you want therapy but feel constrained by in-person sessions.

If you want to clarify what you want and need, please call me for a free virtual consultation!