Teletherapy was a growing phenomenon even before anyone had heard of coronavirus. But since the emergence of the pandemic, an estimated 75% of clinical therapists in the US are doing only online therapy. Meanwhile, a further 16% combine teletherapy with in-person sessions.
But what is teletherapy? And why is it a beneficial service for those seeking counseling or therapy?
Keep reading for everything you need to know about teletherapy.
So What Is Teletherapy?
Teletherapy involves an online video call between a licensed therapist and their patient. It is very similar to traditional therapy sessions that occur in a clinician’s office. However, it takes place on a video conferencing program such as Zoom.
Many of us have had to resort to video calls for work and catching up with friends and family during the coronavirus pandemic. Teletherapy, also referred to as video therapy, works in the same way.
Clinicians use private and secure platforms to have one-on-one or even group therapy sessions with their clients.
Most therapists and patients agree that teletherapy has similar results to traditional in-person therapy sessions. In this way, it has been a huge source of comfort to many who require therapy during the pandemic. This is because they have had access to this service from the safety of their own home.
What Are the Benefits?
There are numerous benefits to online therapy, a few of which we will outline here. The first is the added convenience of being able to access therapy from any location of your choosing.
Even without the additional restrictions of coronavirus, teletherapy removes the unnecessary difficulties of attending a therapy session in-person. If you are away for work or a vacation there is no need to miss a session. Or, if you simply want to avoid a difficult commute to your therapist’s office, video therapy makes counseling much easier.
What’s more, teletherapy can provide greater comfort for patients experiencing anxiety. Being able to speak to a therapist from the comfort of your own home can be a huge ease for some patients.
What Forms of Therapy Are Available?
Teletherapy is available for many circumstances. It can address an individual’s psychiatric needs, as well as relationship problems for couples. There is also the availability of family or group sessions.
Teletherapy can provide CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), PTSD treatment, grief counseling, and more. It is a great idea for those who need help finding direction.
For example, this video therapy service also offers assistance with anger, stress, and personal growth. They combine secure videoconferencing platforms with compassionate care and individualized treatment.
As with traditional therapy, you can meet with different therapists online until you find a clinician you feel a good connection with.
Now You Know All About Teletherapy
We’ve now covered what is teletherapy and also why it might be a good option for you. You can start now by finding a qualified therapist and scheduling an online appointment.
If you found this article helpful, make sure you check out our other health-related posts.
