What Is Teletherapy? 7 Benefits & How Session Works

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Teletherapy, or virtual therapy, has become the norm, largely due to changing habits during covid. But what is teletherapy?

In simple terms, it is therapy delivered through a digital medium such as an online conference tool or other communications platform.

With more people in need of mental health support than there are therapists and counselors, teletherapy has made a difference to countless lives.

What is teletherapy?

Teletherapy, not to be confused with radiation teletherapy for cancer treatment, has been around since the 1950s. And if you’re wondering, “What is the difference between brachytherapy and teletherapy”, the former is when radioactive material is placed inside the body, next to a tumor.

All this is a world away from the teletherapy we are reviewing, which refers to mental health. It also became more common in the 90s, according to the American Psychiatric Association’s article on the history of telepsychiatry.

So, what is teletherapy?

It’s essentially the act of providing mental health support through a digital format. This includes anything from video conferencing and VOIP phone lines to email, chat, and text platforms.

With an increasing number of platforms offering teletherapy, there is a vast array of therapists and counselors promoting their services online. Some are generalists, whilst others focus on a specialist need.

The main aim is to cover every mental health issue that anyone might need no matter where they are across the world.

How to understand telehealth versus teletherapy

You might also sometimes hear the term telehealth. Telehealth is the more general term. Whilst both terms refer to services offered digitally, telehealth covers other services such as remote patient monitoring, dermatology, general healthcare support, and even physical therapy.

Other examples of telehealth include virtual doctor visits, prescription checkup calls, and other support follow-ups.

In contrast, teletherapy refers specifically to mental health services.

And is telehealth effective for mental health?

The main reason telehealth works is that people get the support they need without having to navigate the journey to the clinic. They are also in their own safe space at home.

Similarly, we can ask ourselves, “Does teletherapy work?” Having access to a mental health professional from the comfort of your home to talk through emotions and challenges is a huge benefit, as research consistently shows.

7 benefits of teletherapy

To truly answer the question of what is teletherapy, we must dive into the benefits, as listed below. Overall, teletherapy mental health care has been highly successful for many people but of course, we are all different and it might not work for everyone.

For instance, some people are not comfortable on screen and others have more severe issues. Teletherapy does assume that the client is a relatively functioning person.

A recent study further shows that online therapy works well for people. 

As you’ll see from the following benefits, teletherapy works well for a large proportion of people.  

1. Improved privacy

One of the first benefits of teletherapy that many people think of is that it supports confidentiality. There’s something terrifying about walking into a therapist’s office and potentially being spotted by an acquaintance.

Of course, therapy has been de-stigmatized for many, but the old fears of appearing vulnerable to others are still there in many cases.

2. Greater choice

Teletherapy mental health has essentially democratized therapy. Online costs are much lower, and people have greater choice of who to work with.

And what is teletherapy, if not a way to reach more people more easily?

Naturally, local and international licensing laws still apply, but people can still reach out across a wider region.

3. A safe space

We are our environments and vice versa. It’s easy to forget that when we review therapy because, after all, what is teletherapy if not a way to support an individual?

Regardless, people operate in a system, and they can only ever give a therapist their perspective of their context. With teletherapy, though, the therapist can see some of their clients’ context.

In some cases, children, pets and other family members might even appear on screen, giving further data points and learning opportunities for both therapist and client.

And what is teletherapy if not a learning journey, to improve mental health? The more we include the context and environment, the more likely any changes can be sustained.

Listen to coach and mentor Sharon McCaffrey if you want to find out more about how our environment impacts us to find out more:

4. Improved accessibility

Not only can clients join teletherapy from their personal safe space, but they can also reduce any stress related to accessibility.

Whether people have disability challenges or live in remote areas with limited transport, teletherapy breaks down those barriers.

And when answering the question “what is teletherapy”, we have to remember that it’s also a method to reach more people than ever before.

5. Convenience

For the majority of people, the digital experience is hugely flexible.

No more battling through rain storms or blizzards to get to your therapy session. Not only do you cut down travel time but you can also more easily integrate it into your everyday life.

A therapy session in an unfamiliar space can feel like a bubble, even a safe one, but the contrast with home can be too great to know how to bring into everyday life the same mindset.

And what is teletherapy if not a way to master a wiser way of living? The more people practice in their natural environment, the more likely they can make the changes they seek.

6. Confidence

Similarly, by reflecting with a therapist and working through their exercises in a home environment, people gain confidence they can do this alone.

Essentially, clients are already applying themselves in their home environment and the therapist can encourage them to see that, giving them the ability to tap into their inner capabilities.

This translates into one of the other major benefits of teletherapy. In many ways, it can feel more natural to overlap into everyday life and even envisage an endpoint. Ultimately, that is the goal. For people to be able to stand on their own feet.

7. Lower waiting times

What is teletherapy if not a methodology to help people now? Not months or years later when the queue finally goes down.

Through digital, people can reach out to more therapists and they can even compare more than one person to get a sense of who’s right for them.

Overall, there’s a greater chance of someone being available to them sooner rather than later.

What to expect from a therapy session?

Finally, what is a teletherapy session and what should you look for? In short, it’s the same as any therapy session except that you are communicating through a digital tool.

You can still expect reflective questions and exercises when appropriate from your therapist. The main difference is that you now book your session through a website rather than by calling an office.

Many therapists also continue to communicate with you in between sessions which can be highly beneficial to keep you on track. They might send you motivating messages or ad hoc exercises to keep you focused.

And with all this in mind, does teletherapy work? Yes! It’s flexible, versatile and accessible both financially and geographically.

FAQs

Teletherapy can make therapy more accessible for various groups of people, who might be hesitant about therapy due to the 

• Does health insurance cover teletherapy?

It really depends on where you are. Most countries have insurance providers that cover teletherapy but the rules will be slightly different per country or per US state.

• What should I do to be ready for my first teletherapy session?

The first step is to make your space comfortable including getting the right chair and table. Then, try to reflect on what brings you to therapy but don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers because your therapist will guide you.

You might also want to get familiar with whatever website or communications platform you’ll be using.

• When did teletherapy first start?

Videoconferencing for therapy first appeared in the 50s. Although it became more common in the 90s, especially in Australia, according to the APA’s history of telepsychiatry.

• What is teletherapy and its overall aim?

In summary, teletherapy is when a trained professional delivers mental health support through a digital medium. Common tools include videoconferencing, web, and communication platforms.

The goal is to enable people to carve out healthier and more balanced lives, much the same as traditional therapy.

Final thoughts

In this fast-paced, complex, and uncertain world, people need help more than ever. And teletherapy has enabled professionals to reach more of those people.

And, is telehealth effective for mental health? Yes, countless studies show it’s beneficial for most people. In addition, people, including professionals, are increasingly turning towards teletherapy.

If you’re unsure about whether teletherapy is for you, you can simply try out a session and get a feel of it for yourself. Most practitioners offer an initial call for free for you to gauge the experience.

You have nothing to lose.