Teletherapy: The Future of Mental Health
Alice Thornewill, PhD, JD
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the way mental health care is provided. Prior to the pandemic, therapy almost exclusively took place in person. Most clients commuted to their therapist’s office, sat in the waiting room, and had a face-to-face session. However, when the pandemic struck, two things happened. First, there was an increase in mental health issues across the country as people grappled with grief, loss, anxiety, isolation, a lack of control, and more. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of June 2020, two in five adults in the United States reported struggling with mental health and substance use issues and approximately one in three reported anxiety and depression symptoms. And second, most people were not able to attend in-person therapy.
As the need for mental health treatment rapidly increased and the option of in-person treatment all but disappeared, teletherapy (live video calls with a therapist) quickly became the new normal. Teletherapy allowed people to get the care they needed at a time when social distancing was of utmost importance. Even as life returns to normal and in-person therapy becomes available again, there is no doubt that teletherapy is here to stay. While teletherapy was initially born out of necessity, it quickly showed itself to be incredibly effective and even offer substantial benefits over in-person therapy.
10 Benefits of Teletherapy
Teletherapy saves time. Time is our most precious resource. You may need therapy most when you feel you have the least time for it. Teletherapy provides the full benefits of mental health care in the most efficient way possible.
Teletherapy is flexible. Whether you have a busy schedule, work a demanding job, or are a parent with limited childcare, teletherapy is always just a click away.
Teletherapy is far reaching. If you live in a remote or non-urban community, teletherapy is an ideal option. Through teletherapy, people who lack local options can now receive high quality, evidence-based care.
Teletherapy increases access. Teletherapy also removes barriers for people who are unable to attend in-person sessions due to physical or medical reasons or compromised immune systems.
Teletherapy is private. Teletherapy can take place in your own home, and is ideal for those who may feel uncomfortable or have privacy concerns when sitting in a busy waiting room.
Teletherapy is comfortable. You may feel more at ease opening up when you are in your own space instead of an unfamiliar office. Teletherapy may be helpful for people dealing with trauma, anxiety, or other mental health issues that may make in-person treatment feel daunting.
Teletherapy works! A growing body of research has shown that teletherapy is just as effective as in-person therapy, and studies have shown that virtual therapy appears to have better outcomes than in-person therapy in some cases. Studies have also found positive outcomes in terms of client satisfaction.
Teletherapy is effective for many issues. Teletherapy has been shown to effectively treat a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, substance use concerns, trauma, eating disorders, and more.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy works just as well via teletherapy. CBT teletherapy sessions are essentially no different from in-person CBT sessions. The technology allows for all CBT topics, techniques, skills, and exercises to be delivered in the same way.
Teletherapy is for everyone. Research has shown teletherapy to be effective with diverse populations. It has also been used successfully for couples, family, and group therapy.
Given these benefits and the increasing need for psychological care, teletherapy appears to be the future of mental health. Contact us to learn more.
References
Hilty, D. M., Ferrer, D. C., Parish, M. B., Johnston, B., Callahan, E. J., & Yellowlees, P. M. (2013). The effectiveness of telemental health: a 2013 review. Telemedicine and e-Health, 19(6), 444-454.
Varker, T., Brand, R. M., Ward, J., Terhaag, S., & Phelps, A. (2019). Efficacy of synchronous telepsychology interventions for people with anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and adjustment disorder: A rapid evidence assessment. Psychological Services, 16(4), 621–635.