Telemental health sessions involve delivering mental health care through technological tools like text messaging, video conferencing, chatrooms, websites, and apps. These sessions can be beneficial if you need mental health care but are too busy for in-person therapy. Here are some further benefits of telemental health sessions.
Improve Access to Therapy
Poor access to mental health services is one of the reasons many people do not seek therapy and counseling. Some people live too far from mental health facilities, and others are physically limited so they can’t make it to the in-person sessions without extensive support.
With telemental health, geographical distance is a non-issue— you can meet with your therapist online. Additionally, virtual therapy offers you more provider options, meaning more therapist options, so you don’t have to settle for the therapist nearest you if they don’t match your needs. Telemental sessions also allow physically-challenged people to seek care with ease since they only need a phone, tablet, or laptop and a stable internet connection.
Offers Convenience
A home or work emergency may require you to cancel an in-person appointment. This is a frustrating and detrimental issue, as continuous, reliable care is necessary for you to get fast results.
Telemental sessions are more convenient because you can access therapy despite your emergencies. You can attend your sessions from anywhere you have stable internet, and at convenient times.
Offers Flexibility
Family, work, and other responsibilities can limit when you’re available for in-person sessions. Fitting therapy into your schedule can be even more difficult if your therapist only offers in-person sessions from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Therapists can conduct telemental sessions from any location to accommodate clients beyond the 9-5 schedule. You can book an appointment when it’s most convenient—you don’t have to choose between your responsibilities and mental health.
Offers Comfort
People attend therapy for different reasons. Some seek therapy to simply improve their mental health and capabilities, and others do so because of deep-rooted traumas that affect how they live. For example, some veterans might be traumatized by their life experiences and find leaving their homes difficult.
Telemental sessions cater to all types of clients. You don’t have to leave your home if you don’t feel comfortable doing so. With an internet connection, you can get the same high-quality care you’d get in an in-person therapy session.
Allows More Family Participation
Sometimes you may be available for in-person therapy sessions, but your loved ones aren’t. Getting them to fit into your schedule can be difficult if you lead different lives. With in-person sessions, this can mean having to forego group sessions. This can affect how fast you see therapy results if your loved ones impact your mental health.
Telemental sessions can involve your loved ones despite their geographical locations and schedules. They can join in through phone calls, video conferences, or chat rooms.
Allows Continuity of Care
It can be challenging to continue in-person therapy sessions if you move from your current home or if weather conditions don’t allow you to move around. For many, moving means finding new therapists, and poor weather means canceling appointments.
Relocating or poor weather conditions are not an issue with telemental sessions. You can continue seeing your therapist wherever you are, as long as you have access to a stable internet connection. This eliminates the hassle of finding another reliable service provider or discontinuing mental care.
Reduces Costs and Saves Time
The stresses of having to take off work are counterproductive to the intents and purposes of therapy! Rather than feed that anxiety with juggling in-person appointments, take advantage of telemental sessions. Besides saving time on driving to and from in-person sessions, telemental health can make it easier for clients to fit sessions into their schedules without needing to take time off from work.
Telemental Health Sessions Are the Future of Therapy
Telemental health sessions can be excellent alternatives to in-person sessions because they broaden therapy access and offer more convenience and flexibility. Virtual sessions may allow for greater comfort, encourage group therapy attendance, and allow you to continue working with your therapist despite relocating. This is a form of therapy that is extremely beneficial for the busy-body, the socially-stressed, and anyone in between!