Online therapy, or telemental health, is a rapidly-growing alternative to a traditional office setting. Online therapy takes place by videoconference. It can be a primary method of therapy or used occasionally, along with face-to-face sessions. Telemental health has several benefits:
- It offers access to those who might not otherwise have it, such as in rural areas or who may have limited mobility.
- It eliminates travel time to and from the appointment, which also helps to save money.
- It may be more comfortable from the security of your own home or location other than the therapist’s office.
- You are not limited by geographical location when choosing a therapist. The therapist does have to be licensed in the state you are living in.
Are you a good candidate for online therapy? That depends on factors such as your location and the presenting issues. As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Texas, I can only work with Texas residents. Not all presenting problems are appropriate for telemental health. After reviewing the initial paperwork and conducting an initial assessment by videoconference, I will be able to make some treatment recommendations. Those recommendations might include videoconference sessions exclusively or in conjunction with face-to-face therapy. It could involve a referral to another provider. If a referral is necessary, I will work with you to find alternative treatment options based on your needs.
Telemental health can be used for both marital therapy and individual therapy.
The cost of for an online session is the same as a face-to-face session. Many insurance plans pay for telemental health as part of your coverage, just like they would for an office visit. It is a good idea to contact your insurance company to find out if this form of therapy is covered by your specific plan.
Videoconferencing is done through a portal that all new clients set up before the first visit. It is very easy to use! This technology conforms to the rigorous HIPAA standards of security, unlike Skype, Facebook, or other videoconferencing applications. It does not require any special downloads or apps.
If you are interested in finding out more about online therapy, I would love to provide you with more information. Feel free to contact me and I can answer any questions you have!