Teletherapy (or online therapy) is a nascent form of mental health care that has taken off in recent years. As digital technology has improved, no longer is the physical therapy of office visits the only option. Instead, patients can now see psychiatric professionals from the privacy of their own homes, which is better and easier to get help and support when needed. This reorientation of therapy was especially beneficial when recent emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic sped up the rollout of telehealth.
In this post, we will talk about teletherapy, what it is, why it's a good idea, how it isn't, and what its future holds for online healing. At the end, you will have a pretty good idea of how teletherapy can be helpful for many people looking for support with mental health issues.
What is Teletherapy?
Teletherapy is the delivery of mental health services online. It is communication online, via video, phone or text messaging, between a therapist and a client. On these websites, therapy, counseling and psychological advice can be provided even without an actual presence in a room.
Teletherapy is also available for many other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, relationship problems and so on. It can also be tailored to other kinds of therapy such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), or more specialist types such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing).
Tele Therapy vs. In-Person Therapy
The most common query that comes up in any discussion of teletherapy is whether it's superior to real, in-person therapy. Face-to-face therapy has the advantage of being physically present, but there is also something very beneficial about teletherapy. Some of these include:
- Accessibility: People from any place in the world can be accessed via teletherapy by mental health providers – bypassing distance or a lack of providers in some places.
- Facilitation: It's more portable, you can book sessions when and where it works best for you and the therapist. Sessions can be done from home or anywhere you have an internet connection and you don't need to travel.
- Comfort: A great deal of people prefer the safety of home, which calms them down and helps them talk to their therapist in a more comfortable way.
- Cost Effectiveness: Teletherapy tends to be cheaper than visiting the doctor because a physical office space does not come with the costs of overheads.
The Benefits of Tele Therapy
Teletherapy has become a rising star for many reasons. This is where we'll see the full potential of online therapy to be transformative for mental health.
1. Overcoming Geographical Barriers
Perhaps the greatest value of teletherapy is that it removes distance. Patients who live in the country or out of town, or where mental health workers are hard to come by, can now receive therapy online. This helps people who might not have had access to therapy in the past now get help.
2. Convenience and Flexibility
‘Time is of the essence in today's world and it's not always possible to get to therapy. Teletherapy also allows you to have access to your session when you most prefer. Lunch breaks, after-work, and weekends are convenient times for clients to make therapy part of their day.
Moreover, when you receive care via teletherapy, clients don't have to take leave from work or travel to a therapy office, so there is no disruption to their daily lives.
3. Increased Comfort for Clients
Visiting a therapy clinic can be scary for most people. Teletherapy is a safe and comfortable way for clients to receive therapy and can help with anxiety and bring openness.
The clients have the liberty to share freely at home, in a private setting. The comfort level may be a bonus as people are more likely to talk openly about sensitive subjects in a context that does not involve the stress of being in a new environment.
4. Anonymity and Privacy
Some might be unwilling to attend therapy in person out of privacy or stigma. Through teletherapy, patients can be more anonymous. They don't have to worry about meeting someone they know in a waiting room or meeting with a therapist in person – and they can do therapy from the comfort of their homes.
5. Wide Range of Therapy Options
Teletherapy can also support any kind of therapy from one-on-one to group sessions. It's also suitable for specialized treatment such as family therapy, relationship counseling or trauma therapy. This scalability means that clients can determine the therapeutic method and mode that is appropriate for them.
Who Can Benefit from Tele Therapy
Teletherapy is suitable for anyone. It is a great choice for anyone who wants support for mental health issues, such as:
- Individuals with anxiety or depression
- Stressors, survivors of trauma or bereavement.
- Those experiencing relationship difficulties
- Addicts and those that use drugs or alcohol.
- Those who require regular mental health care.
Teletherapy may also help if you are in a wheelchair, or on a time crunch, or otherwise have a demanding schedule. It is particularly helpful if you live in an area with a shortage of mental health providers or just want the convenience of sessions via the internet.
Challenges of Tele Therapy
There are benefits to teletherapy, of course, but also downsides. Be prepared for these roadblocks to get the most out of online therapy.
1. Technology Barriers
Clients and therapists need a fast internet connection and a video-conferencing or phone-type device. Problems with technology — slow internet connection or software bugs — can interrupt sessions and derail progress.
2. Limited Non-Verbal Cues
In direct contact therapy, therapists can read non-verbal messages such as body language, facial expression and tone of voice. In teletherapy, some of these signals are difficult to hear in the form of video or an absence of face. This might hinder the therapist's capacity to take the client at her word.
3. Privacy and Security Concerns
Teletherapy is digital and privacy and security are issues to consider. Clients and therapists must be sure that the channels of communication are private and confidential. Platforms need to follow HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations for patients' privacy.
4. Lack of In-Person Connection
For others, it can be cold and inauthentic to not be surrounded by people. And perhaps they don't believe they can develop a healthy therapeutic relationship via the screen. Psychotherapists need to be able to interact with their clients online and build rapport with them to limit this worry.
The Future of Tele Therapy
Teletherapy already has a huge footprint in mental health, and will continue to do so over the next few years. As technology advances, so will online healing possibilities.
Teletherapy could continue to develop virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) integration that makes therapy all the more immersive and person-centric. AI-based systems might help pinpoint patterns of emotion, VR might render real-life environments to support clients in exposure therapy or social anxiety.
What's more, teletherapy might spread into fields such as corporate wellness programmes, where companies provide online therapy as part of employee benefits. The more mental health becomes part of overall health, the greater the need for convenient, affordable and effective therapy.
The New Era of Online Healing
Teletherapy is the future of mental health, and with it comes a way to make therapy available, adaptive and convenient for anyone around the world. It isn't without its drawbacks, but online healing is so much better for you. The more digital infrastructure becomes secure, the more teletherapy will change the landscape of mental health and wellbeing.
Teletherapy can support you—whenever and however you need it—if you are suffering from stress, anxiety or depression, or just want to feel more at ease with your mental wellbeing.
If you're in need of 24/7 mental health services, 24/7 DCT has several online therapy packages for you. Let teletherapy be your therapist of the future, with all the adaptability and ease.
