Mental health in the U.S. has been in focus over the past year. Mental health in almost every demographic is on a sharp decline.
80% of people who took an anxiety screening by September, 2020, scored with moderate or severe symptoms.
80% of people who took a depression screening by September, 2020, also scored with moderate or severe symptoms.
Rates of suicide ideation and self harm are at the highest levels ever recorded.
But one of the primary causes for the increased need of mental health services is also what shut down in-person practice for almost a year. In that time, online therapy services have emerged in a variety of formats to try to meet the “skyrocketing” need.
But does online therapy work? If you’ve thought about reaching out to an online counseling service, you may have wondered how effective it could really be.
Fortunately, the industry has some experience now, and we’ve learned more about the effectiveness of teletherapy. Some of the considerations below will help you decide if online or virtual therapy might be a good fit for you.
Types of Online Therapy
First, let’s clarify “online therapy.” There are a few different models available, and while they share many of the same pros and cons, there are some key differences.
National online therapy organizations — One of the most common solutions you’ll run into is the nation-wide organization that hires licensed therapists.
Apps — There are some helpful features in apps that claim to help with mental health, but they should generally be considered a supplement to, not a replacement for, professional counseling.
Local practices online — Many local therapy practices have also figured out how to safely and securely offer their services online during (and beyond) pandemic closures.
Each of these options will have some specific advantages and disadvantages that you’ll want to consider as you decide which option is best for you.
Pros of Online Therapy
It is certainly reasonable to be skeptical of online therapy services, but the experience that the industry has gained over the past year has highlighted many advantages to this offering.
1. Online counseling is effective.
Countless therapists and clients have confirmed and reconfirmed that their online therapy sessions are just as “good” as in-person meetings they were participating in before COVID-19 closures. Additionally, several studies have proven that online therapy is on par with in-person sessions, and at least one reported that, “the results for online therapy even exceeded their expectations.”
Some therapists suggest that online counseling is especially effective for teenagers and young adults, because video chat is already second nature to younger generations. With the rise of work-from-home situations and virtual meetings, older adults are increasingly comfortable with the virtual format as well.
I have noticed that clients experience more agency in creating an environment in their own homes that's safe for them to share and grow. In being able to dictate where they hold sessions they tap into a sense of empowerment that positively affects how they approach life challenges.
- Kemi Yemi-Ese, LPC Associate, CRC
The effectiveness of online therapy is proven possible, but it’s also deeply subjective. If you are comfortable with a virtual format and comfortable in your home environment, then online counseling can be effective for you. If, however, you are not comfortable, it may not be as effective. It might be worth a try, but if it’s not working for you, tell your therapist.
2. Online therapy is more accessible.
Online counseling made mental health services available for a nation who couldn’t get to a local practice. That accessibility was an answer to prayer for many, many people. Even as most communities and businesses begin to open again, online therapy options continue to make crucial services available to even more people.
Young adults and teenagers have shown increasing openness toward therapy services that they can access by chat or text messaging.
People living in remote areas have enjoyed new access to a variety of mental health services that they could never have physically accessed just a couple of years ago.
Patients with physical limitations also enjoy wider access to therapy and counseling in the comfort and convenience of their homes.
As stigma surrounding therapy and counseling in general continues to fall away, online services have made healing available to more people than ever.
3. Teletherapy is often more affordable.
Online counseling is often more affordable than in-person therapy sessions, because practices and therapists aren’t maintaining a separate office space. They’re also more affordable overall, because you don’t need to spend the time and money driving to your counselor’s office.
“There were concerns early on that some health insurers wouldn’t cover teletherapy sessions like they did for regular, in-person sessions. Today, though, most health insurance companies are required to cover teletherapy just as they cover in-person counseling. You will want to check with your insurance plan to see the options for telehealth coverage.”
- Lauren Jones, LPC
Cons of Online Therapy
There are definite advantages to online therapy, but it’s not a perfect solution. Some of these disadvantages will be resolved in time, but others are just the nature of online meetings.
1. Confidentiality and HIPAA concerns with online counseling
Online therapy begs questions about the security of virtual platforms for privacy and confidentiality. Some of the most common online meeting platforms being used for remote work, for example, are not secure enough for HIPAA compliance standards.
Additionally, some of the chat apps are not necessarily being operated by licensed therapists.
There are more and more digital platforms, however, being approved for telehealth and teletherapy use. Whichever type of online therapy you decide to try, look into the online platform being used and ask who is behind the scenes if you’re not seeing faces. Make sure the system is HIPAA-compliant and the people you’re interacting with are licensed counselors.
2. Teletherapy misses body language.
This is a special challenge for the counselor, but it’s worth noting that online therapy sessions don’t communicate all the nuances of body language. Counselors are learning how to deal with this limitation, but you, as the patient, might feel the lack of communication from your therapist.
If you are fairly sensitive to body language yourself, you might also feel less connected to your therapist if you can’t read their body language either.
3. Online therapy is subject to technical difficulties.
Many people have improved their home office and technology solutions over the past year, but for those who have not, teletherapy can be hindered by technical difficulties. People who live in more remote areas may not have reliable internet services, or at least not the high-speed connections needed for natural teletherapy sessions.
Even the most reliable setup is never immune to technical glitches.
4. Online counseling is not appropriate for serious mental health conditions.
People suffering from complicated diagnoses, severe addictions, or other serious or urgent conditions may not always get the help they need from online therapy. Conditions that need personal and/or direct intervention won’t be well-served by distant, online therapy.
Additionally, patients who may be prone to a mental health crisis need a therapist who can be responsive.
Local counselors who offer teletherapy services can bridge the gap, but nation-wide companies who employ therapists across the country can’t be there for you when you need direct contact.
Consideration: Can you connect via online therapy?
For all the pros and cons of online counseling, the most important factor is whether or not it works for you. If you are comfortable with the technology, if you feel like you can open up with an online therapist, and if you feel like your condition is well suited to teletherapy, then online counseling might be a great way to get you the help you need.
Getting Started with Remote Therapy
Whether your therapist’s office is still closed, or you find yourself with a new need for mental health services, online therapy can be a great solution if you’re open to it. It’s been proven effective, offers improved accessibility, and is usually more affordable than in-person sessions.
Just make sure you’re comfortable and the platform that your counselor is using is secure and HIPAA-approved.
If you’re in the State of Texas and looking for online therapy, the team at Neema would love to meet you. We offer a free consultation, so if you’re still unsure about online counseling, you can see what it’s like. Give us a call at 512.669.5701 or contact us online.