Online Psychology Frequently Asked Questions
What is telemedicine?
Telemedicine, also calledteletherapy, allows mental health professionals to remotely meet with patients over the phone, through video, ortext messaging.
Virtual therapy isn’t for everyone, but here are some好处that patients may enjoy. This list isn't exhaustive, so if you'd like to read more on teletherapy benefits, check out this Healthlinearticle.
- Convenient: Teletherapy can be done from the convenience of one's home, providing you with quick and easy access to a licensed mental health professional.
- Cost-Effective: Teletherapy may be less expensive than in-person therapy due to less overhead costs compared to mental health professionals who only work in an office. Some online therapists may even have a sliding scale that works with your income and budget.
- Accessible: If you're unable to travel due to distance or have a chronic illness/disability that makes mobility hard, teletherapy could be an accessible alternative to connect with a therapist from wherever best suits you.
- 舒适:有些人可能会发现面对面rapy to be intimidating or anxiety-inducing. With teletherapy, you may find talking to someone behind a screen more comfortable, allowing yourself to open up more.
- Variety: Online therapy provides you with a larger pool of therapists that can work with your specific needs from anywhere in the nation (provided they are licensed in your state as well). Likewise, many online platforms feature different types of online therapy.
While some of virtual therapy’s benefits may not be replicated with in-person sessions, there are also some potential downsides. This list isn't exhaustive, so if you'd like to read more on the drawbacks of teletherapy, check out this Healthlinearticle.
- Lack of coverage: If you find a therapist that meets your specific needs, your insurance may not cover the costs depending on where you live and what type of insurance you have.
- Privacy, security, and technology concerns: Since teletherapy takes place online, there is a concern for potential privacy leaks and data hacks that could compromise your identity and confidentiality. Likewise, if you're having connectivity issues, you might not be able to have your session.
- Not for severe psychiatric issues: Teletherapy is not a substitute for in-person therapy if you have a more serious mental illness or medical condition that requires more intensive physical care.
- Lack of body language and intimacy: If you're using text-based therapy, your therapist cannot see your facial expressions, vocal signals, or body language. With virtual care, there could be a lack of intimacy and bond-forming that in-person care can provide.
- 联合国able to respond to immediate crises: Because online therapists are often distant from the client, it can be difficult to respond quickly and effectively when an emergency happens, especially if the therapy is messaging-based.
As with any care service, the effectiveness of online mental health services will vary from person to person and depends on their specific condition and the severity of their symptoms. We recommend researching the type of therapy you’d like to try and any online service platforms beforehand so you're well informed in the decision-making process.