Each year, 1 in 5 Americans is diagnosed with a mental health condition. Historically, more than half do not receive proper treatment to help them feel better. Access, convenience, and time have all been barriers to receiving care. Access to therapists or access to psychologists for psychological evaluations for people in rural areas can keep people from getting the diagnosis or therapy they need for their mental health issues. In cities, the traffic and time it can take commuting to and from an office dissuades some who need help from getting it. While psychotherapy is usually only about one hour per week as a treatment, busy schedules jugging work and/or children with various life obligations can make it hard to find time to focus on one’s own mental health needs.
Teletherapy, also referred to as online therapy, has been the answer for many people! Research shows virtual mental health counseling is as effective as traditional in-office therapy. In fact sometimes it is even more effective, perhaps related to data that shows people tend to miss less of their scheduled on-line sessions, probably due to the convenience of it being from the comfort of their own home. And, it is effective for all ages. Therapists experienced and skilled at online therapy can work with children, and have numerous games and activities designed to address behavior problems or build coping skills and strategies; and of course today’s children are very comfortable with virtual formats. For teens and adults, talk therapy is easily provided using online therapy. Even couples therapy and family therapy can be done using telehealth. To use telemedicine for mental health, all you need is a computer, tablet, or smart phone; if you don’t have any of these, talk therapy can also be done simply over the telephone.
So, if you or someone you love is one of the 20% of Americans in need of mental health help this year, try teletherapy. Online therapy can fit easily into your life, and make you feel much better.
We offer telehealth appointments from 9am-8pm Monday through Friday as well as all day Saturdays.