We are living in the Internet era where more than half of the global population has digital access. From the moment we wake up to the time we go to sleep, our lives revolve around electronic devices. The year 2020 has shown us that a lot of activities that previously required face-to-face interaction can be easily done online via video conferencing, even court hearings!

Online therapy is no exception. It has revolutionized the world of psychotherapy. Telemedicine (also known as telehealth) involves the use of a web-based medium to provide health services. These can include telephone calls, emails, online messaging, or video conferencing. Nowadays, there are apps that can help people get in touch with licensed medical professionals, making psychotherapy more accessible. 

A recent survey by the American Psychiatric Association found that before the COVID-19 pandemic, only 2.1% of psychiatrists used telehealth. This number dramatically increased to 84.7% during the pandemic. Thus, telehealth has helped both doctors and patients to overcome the challenges related to in-person appointments and provide the necessary health services.

Here are some of the noteworthy advantages of online therapy over in-person consultation:

Provides immediate access

One of the main advantages of telehealth is that it provides immediate access to care. Generally, patients keep putting off their health needs due to busy schedules, long commute, etc. But telehealth offers an alternative to avoid all these troubles and get help at the click of a mouse. Patients don’t need to take time off from work, can prevent travel-related costs, and save time. This mode of therapy is also beneficial for practitioners since they can increase their patient load by practicing from a home office.

Increases the range of accessibility

Telehealth also helps health practitioners to provide services to patients across varied geographical locations. A person might want to seek help from a therapist from another state or even country and might be physically unable to follow through the regimen; telehealth provides access for such situations. This also reduces the waiting time for getting an appointment with a local therapist. It also holds true for patients with physical disabilities, caregivers, or patients in correctional facilities, where the patient is unable to visit a therapist physically.

Promotes consistency

Sometimes patients, especially teens, might feel uncomfortable in the unfamiliar environment in a doctor’s clinic and might be less inclined to open up about their concerns. The sense of discomfort is what keeps a lot of people from opting for psychiatric therapy and the reason why many discontinue the therapy regimen. The comfort of their home might reduce the pressure, assuage their fears, and help them consistently talk to the therapist. 

Reduces stigma and helps maintain patient privacy

Although we’ve come a long way as a society, there is still a lot of stigma associated with mental health. In a 2019 survey by the American Psychological Association, 87% of people said that having mental health issues was nothing to be ashamed of; however, 33% of people said that they feared people with mental health disorders, and almost 40% of people said that they were likely to discriminate based on mental health status. Some people fear going for an in-person appointment at a clinic to avoid running into people they might know. This can be extremely detrimental to their health. Telehealth can reduce anxiety and eliminate the possible feeling of embarrassment associated with seeking help for mental health issues.

Provides flexibility

Another advantage of telehealth is the flexibility associated with scheduling appointments on weekends or outside the regular hours, based on their lifestyle. Also, telehealth provides the option of group counseling, which might help some people with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), etc., who are looking for emotional bonding or community support during their road to recovery.

Several clinical trials have supported the benefits of telehealth and have shown that online therapy is as effective, if not better, than conventional face-to-face therapy. A study done on medical interns with suicidal tendencies showed that web-based cognitive behavioral therapy resulted in an almost 60% reduction in suicidal tendencies compared with an instruction-based weekly email service.

At A Center for Mental Wellness, we believe online therapy is an excellent alternative to traditional therapy and promotes compliance. The proper use of telehealth can be immensely beneficial to both service providers as well as patients. Contact us today to make an appointment or to learn more. #BuildingABetterTomorrow