Benefits of Teletherapy

1. Low Barrier to Entry: One of the biggest challenges facing prospective therapy clients is that initial appointment. Statistics indicate the modal number of sessions attended by clients is: one. That’s right, patients will go to one session and never go back again. Theories abound—the experience was awful, there was not a fit with the therapist, or the most self-satisfied of them all- the therapist was so highly effective that they managed to “cure” their client in one majestic session (likely not the case). How does telehealth fit in? An easy way to describe it is this—all those things you hate about your dentist waiting room? They apply in therapy as well. Finding the office, sitting, anxiously counting down the time, waiting for your name to be called. With teletherapy, it’s almost always in the comfort of your own home. You can have your cozy blanket, your special mug, all the things that make you feel at ease. What better start to therapy and opening up than in your safe space?
2. Privacy: While this can certainly vary depending on geographical location and the diversity of clients seen by a therapist, teletherapy ensures maximal privacy every time. As one who specializes in teens and young adults, I have found more than once that my clients (even going to different schools and residing in different cities) manage to know one another. I have walked in (and out of my office) on more than one occasion witnessing awkward small talk between these clients who knew each other in kindergarten or who are mortal enemies. With social media anymore, everyone is connected. While I have often managed to help teens find the silver lining of running into acquaintances (we all have issues, therapy is normalized), teletherapy removes this concern altogether.
3. Efficiency: Time is perhaps our most precious resource. As such, commutes can be frustrating and stressful for clients already prone to anxiety. Unexpected traffic closures often lead clients to race in, anxious about being late or missing any part of their therapy time. In one scenario I had a patient get into a car accident on the way over to see me. Needless to say, our conversation that session wound up focusing on something entirely different than what we had intended. With enough on their brimming plates, the last thing clients need to worry about is one more place to be. And for that matter, one extra cost if parking tickets or accidents are involved.
4. Flexibility: Relatedly, teletherapy allows for maximal flexibility for overworked and overcommitted clients. Having worked with many high achieving populations who are at the verge of mental breakdowns, those who need services the most often have the least time. Being able to reschedule and integrate emergency sessions impacts the therapist and caseload at large minimally. Although of course high severity patients should rarely be seen in outpatient situations without extra staff support, for clients with severe anxiety that is otherwise well managed, the ability to schedule an emergency check-in can be invaluable.
5. Safety: Across much of the nation, severe winter weather can put a kink in plans. Such concerns are eliminated in teletherapy. Further, there is no expectation that clients leave their homes in dangerous weather, there are no late cancellation fees, or consideration of what school districts are opened or closed. With teletherapy, the show can go on, each time.
6. Illness: It is not uncommon for teens with heavy workloads and many pressures to repeatedly succumb to illnesses. I have had clients with severe flus and viruses (often actively contagious) come in which puts me and by extension my other patients at risk. Further, illness often can cause additional last-minute cancellations while mood plummets. The ability for clients to continue working with their therapist, especially when ill, can be highly impactful. Teletherapy makes it safe for both clients and therapists.
7. Patient Timeliness Improved: When sessions begin at the click of a button, timeliness is certainly improved. Without the concern of a traffic jam, getting lost on their way to the office, or running low on gas, it is a no-brainer that timeliness is significantly improved when clients are always in reach of their devices.
8. Registration is efficient and convenient. A client is able to view my website and register as a new client. Within 48 business hours the office has verified your insurance and eligibility. Our office then calls and makes clients initial appointment.
9. Streamlined Communication: One of the most integral components of my practice is my online billing, scheduling and charting program which also offers teletherapy directly via secure link. Clients can opt for a reminder text, email, or both and all the information regarding their appointment is at their fingertips. While this unfortunately sounds like advocacy for the takeover of robots, the truth is these programs simply don’t make errors but for exceedingly rare glitches. Having everything in one place is beautifully simple and fits in with the general ethos of teletherapy. In rare times when two patients have shown up for the same session, I have always felt terrible sending them home again when I know they rushed to get there. With teletherapy, when these rare errors occur, there is no harm, no foul.
10. Access to Facilities, Food, Drink, etc.: As a therapist to many teens who are often rushing over from school or other activities, I have more than once encountered a ravenous and therefore grouchy teen. I have often supplied my office with healthy snacks and drinks and watched teens polish off bag after bag of snacks while telling me about their day. While I don’t encourage eating for the full duration of therapy, a satiated client whose basic needs are met is certainly important. As such, one of the benefits of teletherapy is access to any of the needs that may come up for a client, down to a bathroom with no line (or worse, risk of running into the therapist in the next stall over!).
11. Access for Remote Patients: More times than I can count, I have done a double-take when I have reviewed a new client’s file and seen their home address listed in a city about an hour away. In one case, it was a teen living with an elderly grandmother who would drive through wind and rain and on windy dangerous roads to get to my office. It was dangerous for them and frankly unnecessary. When we switched to teletherapy, the therapeutic relationship was maintained, the therapy continued effortlessly and there was no disruption for this family. If anything, our clinic likely saved some harm to the teen and the driving grandmother whose vision had been slowly deteriorating over time.
12. Access for College Students: The fact that college counseling centers are more and more swamped is hardly news to those who have worked in such settings. Further, not all colleges are in towns with access to private providers, nor do all college students even have cars. Enter the beauty of access to a wide network of providers without any transportation hassles. As previously discussed, my earliest work in teletherapy came out of necessity for college students who either could not be seen at the college counseling center or who did not feel comfortable walking into the center and being seen by friends.
13. Access for Disabled Populations: In many scenarios, those who are bedridden, have chronic illness or otherwise can be major beneficiaries of online treatment options. There are times when clients suffering from IBS, Crohn’s, or other diseases may experience shame or embarrassment at their need for leaving to use facilities. In an online context, some of these concerns can be diminished significantly. Further, wheelchair accessibility can be a significant barrier with populations as well; I recall working with one patient and quickly learning we had to make sure to use a room with a door wide enough to let the chair pass, as well as extra room for the wheelchair to maneuver into position. While ideally, more locations will be ADA-accessible, the unfortunate reality is that in older locations, historic buildings, and so forth, making these changes can take time and in other cases be impossible.
14. Wait Times Reduced: Finally, perhaps obvious but well worth stating is the benefit of near-immediate access. Having worked in large clinics, I have observed insurance teams taking weeks to confirm benefits, process paperwork, and possessing other bureaucratic hassles. For clients able to see private practitioners, access can be near immediate. To be frank, that is one of my favorite parts of solo practice—for too many years I witnessed those in severe need go weeks until they could get an appointment. With virtually all aspects of my practice being paperless and electronic, I can send paperwork to the patient via secure connection, have it filled out, and sent back to me within the day. Most often I can accommodate patients within a week, if not within 24 hours depending on how quickly we can get things going. For clients who are in need to talk to someone urgently, or perhaps finally mustered up the courage to see someone, often waiting weeks can lead to appointment cancellations or clients in dire situations.

While there is no doubt that much more needs to be done before clients and therapists fully embrace and explore online therapy options, the future certainly looks bright. With more and more individuals telecommuting, busier schedules, and the need for greater flexibility in our ever-changing world, teletherapy opens up a whole new frontier.

Unsure What to Talk About in Therapy?
Here Are 10 Ideas That Might Help

1) Recent events

Many people find it helpful to talk about daily problems with a therapist. For example, if you’re struggling with a big career decision, it might help to talk it out. Other everyday issues might include: Relationship problems, Parenting stress, Work pressures

2) Coping skills

People typically experience a mix of good and bad in life. During tougher times, the right skills can help you cope. Ask your therapist for strategies to use during difficult situations. They may make suggestions, such as how to get through an anxiety spell. They might also help you find strategies to manage work deadlines or family stress.

3) Relationship issues

We all have problems with relationships once in a while. You may be struggling with dating or your relationship with a long-term partner. Or you may simply want to communicate better in general. Your therapist can help you with this too. You can bring up examples from past or current relationships.

4) Things that cause you anxiety

Do you have more anxiety than you would like? While it’s normal to get nervous once in a while, some people are often anxious. Whether you have an anxiety disorder or not, your therapist can help you cope.

5) Mood changes

Do you feel down much of the time? Do you have trouble getting out of bed most days? Maybe you have noticed that you suddenly have lots of energy and motivation. Or perhaps you notice that your mood shifts quickly from low to high. You may want to talk to your therapist about these experiences.

6) Traumatic or stressful events

If you’re facing a lot of stress or coping with the effects of a traumatic event, your therapist can help. A trauma can be any event that causes you to experience intense fear, feel helpless, or believe that your life is in danger. At least half of people will experience a trauma in their lifetimes. Talking to your therapist about any traumas you still struggle with can be a great first step toward healing.

7) Childhood memories

Many of us have major events in our childhood that continue to impact us as adults. Some of these are obvious, such as physical or sexual abuse. However, other situations — like being bullied as a teenager or your parents’ divorce — can have an impact as well. Understanding how these events affected you can make a difference as you get older. Your therapist can help you better understand your childhood and how you can heal from painful experiences.

8) Life patterns

If you find yourself repeating similar patterns in your life, there may be a reason for it. For example, many people are attracted to unreliable partners. In therapy, you can get to the bottom of these patterns and learn how to combat them in future relationships.

9) Your strengths

You can also talk about positive things in therapy. It can be hard to see the good things about yourself, but your therapist can help you recognize them. Building on your strengths can help you feel more confident about your future.

10) Life goals and values

Whether things are going well or not, it’s helpful to remember what’s important to you. Talk to your therapist about where you want to be in a year or even 5 years. Ask for help to identify your goals, and make a plan to meet them. Ultimately, this is what’s most helpful about therapy: It can help you discover and create the life you want.

Written by Jennie Bedsworth, LCSW | Reviewed by India B. Gomez, PhD
Published on January 20, 2022