Telehealth Counseling- What You Need to Know About Counseling at a Distance
Did you know that over 80% of Americans report they go online at least once daily? So much of our daily lives now have transitioned to online. Most recently health care services! You may have heard of the term “telehealth” already. It includes services like the increasingly popular ‘Teladoc’. If you have, then you are probably aware of how popular web-based services are becoming. If not, then you may be wondering what is telehealth exactly? Which is a great question! Telehealth is healthcare related services, both medical and mental, that are provided through the use of technology like video or phone. It is real-time communication between patient and clinician. This is a huge advancement in the healthcare field, but especially in care for mental health and counseling services. I have broken down below some important things to know about telehealth counseling and therapy.
Things to know about telehealth counseling:
You receive the same level of care as your normal therapy session
Telehealth counseling uses a secure platform (HIPAA compliant program) to complete therapy through video or phone. You can meet with your therapist as you normally would, but from the comfort of your own home. Research suggests that telehealth counseling is as equally effective as face-to-face therapy. Additionally any therapist that is telehealth certified has received extensive training in telehealth counseling. This ensures that your therapist treats your sessions and treatment as professionally and critically as possible.
The therapist still prioritizes your confidentiality
Before telehealth begins, clinicians will make sure that telehealth is an appropriate option for a client. Telehealth is appropriate for most forms of counseling. In order to maintain confidentiality when using telehealth services, both the clinician and client must ensure they are in a private space that is appropriate for therapy. This will ensure that your information is kept solely between you and the therapist.
It prevents any gaps in treatment from happening
One of the greatest benefits of telehealth counseling is the additional flexibility it provides. This can prevent any gaps in treatment due to unforeseeable circumstances. I know in Florida, we have hurricane season. Hurricanes force businesses to shut down and roads to close. This may prevent people from being able to come to their in person therapy sessions. Luckily, telehealth bridges that gap. A simple rule of thumb is that if you can stream your favorite tv show then you can do telehealth counseling from home! This flexibility is great because it eliminates travel time/complications, it increases access to your therapist, and covers unplanned complications like weather, illnesses, or childcare issues.
It’s important to remember that whether you are already in counseling or trying to decide if you should do telehealth counseling or face-to-face, your care is the priority. If you’re in Florida, reach out to us to find out if you would be a good candidate for telehealth.