Benefits Of In-Home Mental Health Therapy Services

Some individuals may be interested in receiving face-to-face support from a mental health professional without traveling to a therapist's office. Barriers like a lack of reliable transportation, difficulty assuring childcare, or mobility challenges can all make it difficult to seek help in an office setting. However, individuals can receive in-person help from the comfort of their homes through in-home or home-based mental health services.  

In-home mental health services involve trained professionals visiting your home in person. These services may benefit those who can't seek in-person appointments or are more comfortable in their own homes. In-home therapy can treat a range of common mental health challenges. Understanding this therapeutic option can help you or a loved one make an informed decision on the options available. 

What is in-home mental health therapy?

These services can help individuals who may want support for their mental health needs but face barriers to traditional options. Some therapists and other mental health professionals may offer in-home sessions as an alternative to office sessions.

Who can benefit most from in-home mental health services?

Home-based therapy programs can be used by people of various ages with different challenges and can be an option for many people. However, the following groups may benefit the most from in-home treatment options.

Individuals with mental health disorders or chronic conditions

• Older adults. In-home therapy may be helpful for older adults with mobility challenges, chronic illnesses, or severe symptoms like chronic pain, which may make it difficult to attend regular therapy sessions at a clinic.
• Individuals with disabilities. Some individuals with disabilities may find in-home therapy more suitable, as travel may be challenging. They may benefit from customized support and care, which in-home therapy professionals can often provide in a familiar setting.
• Postpartum parents. Some new parents may experience challenges like postpartum depression as they adjust to the physical, emotional, and psychological changes that follow childbirth or adoption. With in-home therapy sessions, new parents can have a comfortable space to work through any difficult emotions they may be dealing with while still being able to care for their children. 
• Individuals with agoraphobia or severe social anxiety. People with agoraphobia or severe social anxiety may struggle to leave home or go to an unfamiliar office for therapy sessions. Receiving therapy at home may be easier and more comfortable for clients. Intensive in-home counseling services can offer therapy in a safe environment while clients work through their mental health care treatment plan. 
• Individuals with a substance use disorder. Therapists can provide tailored support through in-home services for individuals with a substance use disorder. Delivering therapy in the individual's home may also help the therapist create a more effective coping plan. As the client can remain in their own space, the therapist can help them eliminate items that might incite the urge to use substances. 

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.

People navigating a personal crisis

There are various services for people who are in crisis. In-home therapy can be an effective option in cases where it is not necessary to separate someone from their home environment. For example, in-home therapy can meet the mental health needs of someone who is experiencing a panic attack, acute stress, or elevated anxiety. That said, it may not be the best option for people who are experiencing severe symptoms, like thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or periods of psychosis.

Why in-home therapy can be the most beneficial form of treatment

A potential benefit of in-home therapy is that its convenience and availability can make it easier to overcome common barriers to care. Clients don't need to travel to a therapist's office, making it a convenient option for those with mobility challenges, lack of transportation, or childcare concerns.

In-home therapy can reduce the worry and stress of visiting a mental health facility for some people. Patients receive care in familiar environments, which may help them feel more comfortable. This comfort may strengthen their relationship with their therapist, allowing therapy to be more effective.

In-home therapists may gain a more comprehensive view of the client and their life, allowing them to learn from real-world observation and create a more customized treatment plan. In-home therapy can help therapists learn more about their clients' everyday habits and interactions with their surroundings. Observing the client's space can help them better understand their needs and create tailored treatment plans that might be more difficult to develop in a regular office setting if the client doesn't discuss the information.  

When to consider seeing a therapist at home

In-home therapy might be a valuable option for those who can't attend regular office sessions due to physical limitations, lack of transportation, or responsibilities at home. It can also benefit people who are uncomfortable seeking treatment in an unfamiliar office setting or want to receive treatment from the comfort of their home without visiting crowded waiting rooms at mental health facilities.

Who uses in-home mental health services?

In-home therapy is frequently utilized by child welfare agencies, community support organizations, and those serving individuals with disabilities. In addition, some insurance plans may cover in-home mental health services when medically necessary. For some, online therapy may be a good alternative to in-home therapy, as it also allows individuals to attend sessions without having to leave home.

What services are included in home-based mental health care?

Different types of mental health services and counseling can be applied through in-home services. Mental health professionals, like psychologists, counselors, and social workers, can come to your house to provide support, whether you’re seeking individual, couples, or family therapy. Below are some of the most common services that may be offered. 

Home-based counseling

In-home counseling involves a mental health professional coming to your home to discuss stress, anxiety, communication challenges, or other mental health topics. The counselor may be a psychologist, social worker, or other qualified professional with special training in home-based counseling. 

Couples home-based therapy

A therapist can come to your home to help you and your partner work on your relationship with couples therapy. The therapist can be a marriage and family therapist or another mental health professional. In-home couples therapy may be helpful because it's in a familiar space, making it easier for some people to discuss personal topics. It can also remove the stigma that some couples may feel in going to a therapist's office, allowing a therapist to see how you and your partner interact in your home or with your children. 

Family therapy

In-home family therapy involves a family therapist working with family members directly from home. A family therapist can help family members work through conflicts and improve relationships. The therapist can observe the family dynamic at its source, allowing them to offer more tailored advice.  

Individual mental health services

Individual at-home therapy focuses on supporting those with mental health conditions like anxiety or depression in their homes. Different mental health professionals may offer this support. If mental illness is causing difficulty leaving home or setting appointments, a therapist can guide clients in coping with these challenges in a space that is theirs. 

Medication management and care coordination

Whether in-home therapy services offer medication management depends on the type of provider you see. For example, if a psychiatrist visits your home, they may be able to prescribe medication. A crisis response team may also include members who can manage medications. Other providers, such as therapists or licensed clinical social workers, can help coordinate care with your doctor and provide updates on your progress that the provider may use to adjust your treatment plan, whether that means changing medication or trying another therapeutic approach.

The role of specialized training in in-home mental health therapy

Professionals who provide in-home mental health therapy may have specialized training to help them provide care and meet the challenges of this unique setting. This training can include: 

• Crisis intervention
• Safety planning
• Adaptation of therapy techniques to the home setting
• Safety and de-escalation

In-home vs. other levels of care

In-home care vs outpatient therapy

In-home care can be a beneficial form of therapy for those seeking an alternative to outpatient therapy. While these two approaches to care can treat similar mental health conditions using similar approaches, in-home treatment is often more convenient, and it can help overcome several barriers to care, including transportation challenges or long commutes. 

In-home care vs inpatient treatment

In-home care can be helpful for various interventions, but for severe cases, inpatient treatment may be needed. Some mental health needs that should be addressed in inpatient treatment may include: 

• You pose a danger to yourself or others. 
• You’re not caring for yourself. 
• You are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
• You are experiencing psychotic episodes.

In-home care vs online therapy

Both in-home and online therapy allow people to receive help without leaving their homes. However, with in-home therapy, a mental health professional comes to a client's home and delivers therapy face-to-face. With online therapy, a client connects with mental health professionals virtually and participates in therapy remotely, wherever they have the internet, such as from home.

Getting started with in-home mental health therapy

If you are interested in starting in-home mental health services, talking to your primary care provider can be a good place to start. Explain your mental health needs and concerns to see if in-home therapy could be an option.

Then, you can ask your provider for a referral or recommendation for an in-home mental health provider, or research organizations that provide this type of care in your area. Verify the credentials of any providers you are considering, and check with your health insurance to make sure that these services and providers are covered. 

Getting support in online therapy

People may prefer different approaches to therapy, and there may be situations when one approach works better than another. For instance, home-based therapy or in-home services may be more effective for people who want to have therapy at home but don't have a reliable internet connection or are uncomfortable using technology. Contrarily, some clients may enjoy the convenience of having therapy at home but are uncomfortable having a therapist visit them in their space. In these cases, online therapy through platforms like BetterHelp may be more convenient, as they allow clients a level of distance from the provider.

One example of this dynamic could be an individual with depression, who may be exhausted and experience low energy. Their depression symptoms may make it difficult to leave the house, do household chores, and maintain personal hygiene, which could make them wary of hosting someone in their own space. In this situation, online therapy could be beneficial. In addition, research has demonstrated the effectiveness of online therapy, with some studies showing it can be as effective as in-person therapy for conditions like major depressive disorder. 

Many BetterHelp providers now accept major insurance plans in select states for online therapy

Many providers on BetterHelp now accept major insurance carriers. In many states, certain therapists on BetterHelp may be in-network with certain insurance plans. Coverage depends on your plan, provider, and availability. When sessions are covered, members typically pay an average copay of about $23 per session. Check your in-network status on the BetterHelp site. Coverage varies by state and provider availability.