What's Telephone Therapy? Find Support By Phone
Many individuals experiencing mental health challenges or distress symptoms reach out to a psychologist for support. However, scheduling in-person therapy appointments, finding time to commute to their clinic or office, and paying hundreds of dollars per session can be challenging. Due to this, more remote options have become available, including over-the-phone therapy where you can connect with a therapist online.
Telephone counseling may assist you with the same concerns you might address with a licensed therapist in traditional therapy. For example, telephone counseling can help with work-related events, family conflicts, anger management, relationship issues, or symptoms of a diagnosed mental illness. If these are frequent concerns for you, consider researching an online phone counseling service or life coach as an alternative to in person therapy.
What Can Telephone Counseling Do For You?
Talking to a licensed therapist, whether in person or on the phone, may help you alleviate emotional pain and find solutions or acceptance to the situations you are going through.
Online, phone, or other distance therapy options make up the field of telepsychiatry. These remote mental health support services can include in-app messaging or video conferencing. Online therapy, live video therapy, and counseling on the phone are available for everyone, not only those experiencing mental illnesses like anxiety or clinical depression. Online counselors can address a wide range of issues, including eating disorders, trauma, and concerns involving a partner or relationships in general. For example, when a breakdown of communication occurs among family members or intimate partners, it may be helpful to relate thee family conflict issues to a counselor. A licensed therapist may facilitate the communication process by examining options and healthy ways to resolve a situation.
Benefits Of Telephone Counseling
Many of the benefits of remote therapy are the same ones you might receive from in-person sessions with licensed therapists. However, there are several benefits that you might only experience through telehealth therapy, including the following.
Reducing Treatment Stigmas
You may have confronted the stigmasurrounding mental illness and mental health. Many individuals have formed inaccurate or harmful opinions about those who seek therapy. Some people write in a journal to express their feelings or memories that may be difficult to forget, for example, which has been shown to be helpful. However, outwardly expressing feelings with an impartial, empathetic therapist can be useful, especially when navigating complex emotions or symptoms of mental illness.
Stigmas can dissuade people experiencing mental health challenges from openly seeking the help they need to make progress with their concerns.
The stigma is something that many people are aware of, although some don't realize it. People who are experiencing challenges with their mental health, whether it's anxiety, depression, might experience shame because of this stigma. The shame may make them less determined to seek help with the management of symptoms or stop them from accessing services.
When people reach out for phone counseling services, they may not have to commute and won't have to let others know where they're going. Teletherapy can offer more personal and safe space for these individuals. Virtual therapy can also be done from home, which widens their access to online therapists.
Accessibility
Some of the reasons that people may not be able to see a counselor in person can include the following:
- Disabilities
- Busy schedules
- Social anxiety
- Cost
- Commute time
With telephone counseling, clients may not have to leave home. They can reach out to a counselor to get support from any area with an internet connection or cell service.
Lack Of Scheduling Conflicts
Between juggling personal responsibilities, a family, and a career, it can be challenging to get in to see a therapist for regular appointments. Many in-person therapists may only work from 9 am to 5 pm, so many working individuals cannot schedule appointments without taking time off from work.
However, online therapy services and telephone counseling may offer more flexible and convenient options. You might find a therapist available on the weekends, in the early morning, or late at night. Once you've listed your preferences, the therapist can then confirm their availability at certain times.
Location Flexibility
Counseling can be more flexible for your schedule and allow you to receive mental health care from anywhere. Whether you live in a farm in New York, a suburb in Idaho, or anywhere else in the country, you can find a network of licensed providers. You can talk to a counselor or therapist from your car, on vacation, or from a hotel. Anywhere you have an internet connection can become a therapeutic setting. If you opt for phone counseling, you'll need a phone signal.
Affordability
In-person sessions, especially those at practices, can be expensive. Forbes found that the average cost of traditional therapy in the US is $100 to $200 per hour. Over-the-phone, email, or messaging counseling services may be more affordable and help you start therapy.
Paying hundreds of dollars for each appointment can be discouraging because you might only be able to afford a limited number of appointments. However, with a more affordable option, you may be able to have more appointments with your provider and may be able to save money.
Phone Counseling Options
Evidence suggests that smartphone-enhanced therapy platforms can help address symptoms of a wide range of mental health concerns is mounting. In one comprehensive study, researchers examined the effectiveness of mobile treatments, finding that phone-based counseling can be a valuable form of therapy. The report assessed the applications of smartphone-enhanced therapy for several mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and bipolar disorder. Researchers concluded that the benefits of these resources are wide-ranging. These findings align with those from other studies, including reports on the usefulness of mobile phone therapy for depression, anxiety, and stress.
Therapy can be a valuable resource when you're seeking support with mental health concerns. Through a platform like BetterHelp, you can gain several online therapy options, including phone, video, message and live chat sessions. You can also reach out to your licensed counselor at any time and receive a response, often within 24 hours. Once an account has been successfully created, you may be matched with one of the site's licensed providers who are qualified to make a complete assessment and begin to address your specific needs.
Takeaway
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below are a few frequently asked questions about telephone therapy and online counseling.
Does Insurance Cover Online Counseling?
Whether online counseling is covered may depend on your health insurance provider. Some companies may cover online mental health services, while others only cover in-person services. You can learn more about your health insurance plan and its support options by contacting your provider directly.
Insurance companies that cover online mental healthcare may not work for every online counseling service. Some online counseling services are not covered by insurance due to their policies. Therefore, ensure the service you want to use will accept insurance and compare your pricing options.
Often, clients may have to pay a co-pay for in-person sessions, which means their insurance plan only covers part of the cost of treatment while the client covers the other part. Many online subscription plans offer a payment plan or reduced costs for those afflicted by financial hardship. There can be various options to consider.
What Is Telephone Counseling?
Telephone counseling is a therapy service that is conducted over the phone. It includes the same therapy you might find in person but is utilized remotely with a capable cell phone.
Is Cellphone Counseling As Effective As Face-To-Face Counseling?
Over-the-phone mental health services and online therapy have proven as effective as in-office support services. If you have doubts about the effectiveness of counseling by phone, consider contacting a platform and asking questions or reading their FAQ. You can also check out therapist reviews to see reviews from actual past clients.
How Does Phone-Based Counseling Work?
How phone counseling works may vary depending on the therapist or online therapy platform you use. Often, you may receive a call from your therapist and answer it to get started. If you utilize a platform, the platform may prompt a phone call and connect you to your therapist.
What Is Home-Based Counseling?
Home-based counseling is a form of counseling where clients connect with free support services or paid services via phone, email, or unlimited messaging. Clients log in to participate in their services from home. Often, these services are available at any time of day and to many people worldwide.
How Long Is A Counseling Session?
A typical in-office counseling session may last between 45 minutes to an hour. Online therapy sessions may last from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the therapist's schedule.
What's The Difference Between A Therapist And A Counselor?
In some cases, the terms therapist and counselor may be used interchangeably. Therapists are often those with a Ph.D. in psychology or counseling. Counselors may be professionals with master's degrees in counseling, psychology, or social work. Often, psychologists are referred to as therapists. Both professionals may offer insight, experience, and support. Neither therapists nor counselors can prescribe medication unless they are also a psychiatrist.
How Do I Prepare For Counseling?
When preparing for a session, write down your concerns and any questions you have in advance. When you meet with your therapist or counselor for your initial session, you may remember what you wanted to talk about if you refer to your notes.
How Do I Approach My First Counseling Session?
Try to approach your first therapy session with an open mind. Be prepared with written questions, or let your therapist know if you're unsure how to begin and need some prompting and support.
What Is Individual Therapy?
Individual therapy is a session between the therapist, a client, and no one else. It differs from couples therapy, which involves two or more clients. It also differs from group therapy which can involve one therapist with a group of people experiencing similar symptoms or concerns.
How Can I Find A Therapist In My Area?
To find a counselor in your area, try researching the providers available in your area and send emails to those you're interested in. You can also try reading reviews to find a therapist with experience. There may also be public health or mental health clinics in your city that you can talk to about support options. Online therapy may provide an alternative if you struggle to find a provider in your area.
What are the benefits of phone therapy?
Is Mobile Therapy Effective?
Can Counselling be done over the phone?
Where can I talk to someone for free?
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