Telehealth therapy, or teletherapy, has been around for a long time, but it expanded rapidly during the time of COVID-19 pandemic. Clients and professionals discovered this approach’s power, effectiveness, and convenience during that time. I was no exception, as I found that I could reach more people for whom I was a good match this way. If you are a prospective client of mine or anyone else, you now have a much wider range of choices! In this post, I’ll cover the advantages and effectiveness of telehealth therapy and then end with some advice on making the teletherapy experience work best for you.
Advantages of Teletherapy
Teletherapy offers several advantages that contribute to its growing popularity and effectiveness, all of which I’ve seen quite clearly in my own work:
Telehealth Therapy and Accessibility
Teletherapy makes mental health services more accessible to individuals facing barriers to traditional in-person therapy. People in remote or rural areas, those with physical disabilities, or individuals with transportation challenges can benefit from its convenience. Aside from these groups, parents with young children at home or whose children have very busy schedules often benefit from the added accessibility. This also comes into play if you travel and do not want to miss your sessions.
Teletherapy and Therapist Match
I am licensed in 40 states to serve many more people than those near my office. You need to ask any prospective therapist if they are licensed in your state, and if they are, they are a potential match. This opens up many therapists whose clinical approaches and personal bios are potential matches for interested people. I hope the information on this website and in my blog is helpful to you as you determine what therapeutic approaches might work best.
Convenience and Telehealth Therapy
Clients can engage in sessions from home, eliminating the need to commute to a therapist’s office. This is particularly advantageous for individuals with busy schedules or those who prefer the flexibility of scheduling sessions around their daily activities. I see many college students who can schedule sessions around their class schedules and young parents who do not want to pack up their infants, for example. I also see many couples and families whose members are not in the same place at the same time at an otherwise convenient time.
Flexibility of Teletherapy
Telehealth therapy provides more flexible scheduling options. My clients and I can find mutually convenient time slots with online platforms, including evenings. I may have a free hour for you during a time when I would not have been able to get to my office. This flexibility has been especially beneficial for working professionals or parents. It also works well with my specialty services, where I provide some help at a particularly beneficial time.
Confidentiality and Privacy
Some individuals may feel more comfortable discussing sensitive or personal issues in the privacy of their own space. Teletherapy allows clients to choose a secure and confidential environment for their sessions. While my in-person office is soundproof and private, I cannot guarantee that you wouldn’t see someone you know on the way in or out of the building.
Teletherapy is Cost-Effective
Teletherapy can be cost-effective for both clients and therapists. Clients save on travel expenses and time, while therapists like me have lower overhead costs associated with maintaining a physical office. This is why my self-pay fee is lower for telehealth therapy. Other cost savings include allowing couples with infants not to secure a babysitter if they are reasonably comfortable that the baby will sleep and college students not to have to Uber to an appointment.
Continuity of Care
Teletherapy ensures continuity of care, allowing individuals to receive mental health support even during situations that may disrupt in-person services, such as inclement weather, health crises, or when traveling (as long as their travel is to a state that the therapist is licensed in). I’ve always had an office in the northeast, and there were times during the winter when in-person treatment could be quite affected.
Telehealth Therapy Technology Integration
Modern teletherapy platforms often incorporate advanced features such as secure messaging, screen sharing, and other virtual tools that enhance the therapeutic experience. These technological advancements can contribute to a more engaging and effective therapeutic process. You or I can share our screens if there is information that might be useful, for example. I can also easily send links to websites or other resources that benefit you.
Telehealth Therapy Caveats
It’s important to note that while teletherapy has numerous advantages, it may not be suitable for everyone. Here are some issues to consider:
Teletherapy and Interruptions
Telehealth therapy is prone to more interruptions than in-person treatment. These interruptions can include technological problems, such as a loss of signal or power failures, and personal disruption, such as kids needing a parent or a roommate unexpectedly coming home. Most of these interruptions are not enough to affect the treatment process, but they are worth discussing if they happen repeatedly.
Telehealth Therapy and Nonverbal Cues
As a therapist, it is often important to pick up nonverbal cues such as body posture and gestures, and using video cuts down on my ability to see these. It may also reduce your ability to see those things in me when I am making a point or lending support. In my opinion, I don’t lose enough of this to make it not worthwhile, and in fact, there is a lot to learn by my being able to see you at your home where you are completely comfortable.
Your Comfort with Virtual Meetings
Finally, treatment may be affected by your comfort with virtual meetings. While many people have become more comfortable and accustomed to virtual meetings during the pandemic, some still prefer in-person meetings with a therapist. I completely respect that and can refer you to someone who does in-person appointments in your area.
I am confident that telehealth therapy can be as effective and powerful as in-person, but it is not for everyone. We will discuss the fit when we first meet.
Is Virtual Therapy as Powerful as In-Person?
Given all the above, it is natural to ask, “Is virtual therapy as powerful as in-person?” and the results boil down to your preferences. The effectiveness of virtual therapy compared to in-person depends on various factors, and I have seen it vary from person to person. Both modalities have their advantages and challenges. Broken down similarly to the above:
- Accessibility: Virtual therapy is more accessible, allowing you to receive mental health support from the comfort of your own home. So, the answer to the question, “Is virtual therapy as powerful as in-person therapy?” is likely yes if you feel more comfortable at home in general, have mobility issues, live in a remote area, or have transportation limitations.
- Convenience and Comfort: Virtual therapy eliminates the need for travel, making it more convenient for people with busy schedules. It also reduces the time and effort required to attend appointments. In addition, some people feel more comfortable opening up in their familiar environment, leading to more honest and open communication during virtual sessions. If any of that resonates with you, you may prefer virtual.
- Continuity of Care: Virtual therapy can provide a continuous therapeutic relationship even during situations like travel, relocation, or unexpected events that might disrupt in-person sessions. For this reason, I have found that virtual therapy is powerful and effective for college students who live in a different state, people who travel a lot, or people who have homes in other states.
- Technological Issues and Privacy Concerns: Technical glitches, such as poor internet connection or software malfunctions, can disrupt the flow of a session and may lead to frustration for both the therapist and the client. Also, maintaining privacy during virtual sessions can be a concern, especially if individuals live in shared spaces or have limited privacy at home. On the other hand, some people feel they have enhanced privacy at home where they are not seen walking into my building. These issues must be considered to answer the question, “Is virtual therapy as powerful as in-person?”
Research Related to “Is Virtual Therapy as Powerful as In-Person?”
Research on the efficacy of virtual therapy has shown that it can be as effective as in-person for certain people and conditions. I have found it to be a valuable and viable alternative, with many clients who live near my office choosing virtual therapy. I have seen no difference in outcomes in my virtual therapy practice.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of treatment, whether virtual or in-person, depends on the quality of the therapeutic relationship, the match between my approaches and your needs, and your individual needs and preferences. We will discuss all of this at the start, and I will provide a well-rounded overview. I can always refer you to a trusted colleague in your area if you prefer in-person and do not live near my office.
So, “Is virtual therapy as powerful as in-person?” Yes, it can be, and we’ll ensure it is the best fit for you before we start
Teletherapy in My Practice
Most of my practice is telehealth therapy, allowing me to serve people in 40 states who feel that I am a good fit for what they are looking for. I have found it helpful for individual treatment, couples counseling, and families with older children, the latter two particularly when people may be in different places during convenient times to meet. I use virtual approaches in all of my specialty services as well, which allows me to provide a booster when needed, such as with fear of flying and fear of public speaking before an event that causes anxiety.
All of the approaches I commonly use, from humanistic approaches to psychodynamic methods to cognitive-behavioral, all work well with teletherapy. I haven’t noticed any difference in the power and potential of treatment since my practice moved to telehealth therapy.
If you have any questions about teletherapy or how a telehealth therapy approach might work for you, please feel free to contact me or schedule a consultation at any time.
