How To Make The Most Of Telemental Health Therapy
As a more modern therapeutic option that grew in demand during the pandemic, it offers many clients convenience, flexibility and affordability while still maintaining the expertise of licensed mental health professionals that adhere to the same rules—despite the involvement of technology in the support process.
Benefits of telemental health therapy
- The convenience of therapeutic services for those with limited in-person options
- A broader selection of therapists, and provider options that promote new or varying styles or areas of specialty
- More convenience
- Less expense
- Continuity of care
- Reduced stigma
- Comfort
- No need for transportation
Studies have found that most individual patients feel most comfortable at home, further indicating online therapy's effectiveness. Traditional mental health services can add stress and inconvenience to the therapy process as clients may not feel comfortable talking face to face—and are required to make time in their day to commute to an office.
Telemental health care appointments can be completed through phone or internet hosted video conferencing or a phone call, which can make it convenient for many—and can possible ways for those living in rural or remote areas, or for people who have a hard time leaving the house for health services or health treatment.
Tips for making the most of online health services
Note the symptoms you are experiencing
If you are suicidal, in crisis, or experiencing thoughts of harming yourself, please do not use an online therapy provider or platform. Instead, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. They are available 24/7 to offer support.
Identify the type of online mental health care you hope to try
There are various types of mental health care services and providers available. Determining which of these may most effectively address your concerns may be beneficial. For example, some therapy methods are more effective for specific symptoms or diagnoses than others.
For instance, one option is internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT), which has been suggested to be an effective treatment for concerns such as depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, phobias, bipolar disorder and more.
In addition, a 2015 study revealed encouraging outcomes for people who experience substance use concerns who were administered a text messaging-based treatment. Text therapy may be beneficial if you want to talk to a provider without seeing or hearing them.
In addition to the 2015 study, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) notes that telemental health has been shown as an effective method for treating addiction.
Smartphone apps are another telemental health option to consider. According to one study, many clients preferred app-based messaging, phone calls or videos to in-person therapy or text therapy.
Research your options
No two telebehavioral health platforms or apps are the same in the types of therapy practices they offer. In addition, it can be crucial to find a platform that offers licensed professionals with reputable information and evidence-based practices.
Before signing up for an option, ask yourself how effective the app or website may be and if it seems like a good fit for your unique needs. One way to do this is to read the reviews of other users to understand the pros and cons of any particular platform.
Many platforms offer varying services and price points, as well. Make a budget and look for platforms within it. You may also want to talk with your potential therapist about your preferred type of treatment and ask about their treatment approach.
Check your therapist's credentials
In addition, verify that your therapist has experience treating your symptoms or concerns and has at least 1000 hours of clinical training. You can verify a therapist's license by contacting their state board. You can also check the organizations a therapist has been awarded training certifications from and search for their name and business name online to find reviews. It is important to note that therapists are not able to prescribe medication or develop a medication management plan directly. However, they can refer you to a psychiatrist or other medical health care professional if they believe that medication would be beneficial.
Ensure you have the proper online therapy tools
If you plan to use telemental health services with multiple devices, download and enable the service on each device you plan to use, ensuring the devices sync up with one another. You may also need to test your internet speed to ensure it can hold up with a video call. Internet speeds under 10mbps may be too slow for therapy. However, you can do a test with your therapist or through your chosen platform before the session if you need.
Be upfront about your needs
Online therapists should be respectful, caring, skilled, and non-judgmental. If you feel you aren't receiving support, be upfront about your needs. Let your therapist know if you're interested in a different approach or feel disrespected. They may be able to change their approach or recommend a new type of therapy.
Therapy options
Many types of online therapy are available to clients, including own practice or platform-based services. Some may fall under insurance or Medicare coverage, while others do not. If you're interested in removing barriers to own practice or in-person treatment, a platform may suit your needs. With an online platform, the cost of therapy can be significantly lower, and you can choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions with your therapist. Online platforms remove barriers and improve mental health resources in remote areas where there are not many in-person therapists.
If you're interested in trying online therapy, you can sign up for a platform like BetterHelp for a vastly growing database of counselors with experience in various areas of care.
Takeaway
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The role of mental health counselors varies depending on their license and degree. Some counselors also have a particular type of therapy they practice or a mental illness they specialize in. However, most counselors aim to help clients address various concerns, including mental illness, substance use, distressing symptoms, coping skills, and life challenges. You don't have to have a mental illness to go to therapy.
The role of a professional counselor can be stressful for some. Counselors may support distressed clients and learn challenging details about their lives. Some counselors will go to therapy themselves to learn techniques for handling these concerns.
Tele-mental health counseling is a type of counseling delivered remotely. Remote delivery of mental health services and counseling can look different for every therapist, platform, and client. For some, tele-mental health counseling is done over the phone, in real-time, using a safe line. For others, sessions are delivered over Zoom, FaceTime, or other video conferencing software. On some platforms, live chat messaging may also be an option.
Remote counseling differs from standard in-office treatments in several ways. For example, the therapists providing services may work from a home office or remote location, and because they might not rent an office or pay for travel, they can often offer cheaper session costs. Although the therapy methods can be similar or the same as in-person therapy, the online format may offer more reachable resources in real-time, such as journal prompts, webinars, or printable worksheets.
Before providing online therapy, you may want to take courses on the tele-mental health field and how it can differ from in-person therapy. For example, if you practice specific types of therapy that are often practiced in person, like EMDR, you may want a specialized education in how to perform it online.
You can also consider taking an exam to become a certified tele-mental healthcare provider. Some licensing boards offer this option. Check with your state licensing board to see the rules around practicing online.
What Is The Best Tele-Mental Health Platform?
The largest tele-mental health platform is BetterHelp, which offers over 30,000 online therapists throughout the US, available to anyone worldwide. BetterHelp's sister platforms can also offer benefits, including:
- ReGain for couples
- PrideCounseling for the LGBTQ+ community
- TeenCounseling for teens aged 13 to 19
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