Is Online Therapy Right for You?: Challenges and Benefits of Telehealth in Chicago or Virtual Therapy Online
How to Decide if Mental Health Therapy Online is Right for You
Online therapy for mental health and behavioral health, also known as telehealth or virtual therapy, has surged in popularity in recent years. There are many benefits to being able to access a therapist online, but there are some potential challenges to consider as well.
The range of service delivery models for telehealth may include therapy over the phone or therapeutic support by text message. The telehealth model that most closely resembles the traditional experience of developing a connected therapeutic relationship with a counselor and meeting with them in an office, is also the one that is the most commonly available across the largest number of therapists (1). This model allows the client (you) to connect to their online therapy session on a secure video platform using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. The session allows the therapist and the client to talk face-to-face and in real-time. In many ways, it emulates the experiences of sitting down with your therapist in their office for your therapy session, but there are some important differences between telehealth and in-office therapy for mental health.
Although some of these differences may be complications to work around, other aspects of telehealth may make online therapy easier to access or a more comfortable overall experience than an in-office therapy session. The following are some key factors to consider when determining if online therapy might be right for you.
Potential Challenges With Online Therapy Versus in-Office Therapy
Possible challenges to engaging in therapy online generally arise from the increased responsibility for the client to create an environment that will be conducive to having a connected, focused, and confidential online therapy session.
Making the Connection: The Role of Technology in Telehealth
When attending therapy in an office sessing, the therapist will have seen to it that the therapeutic space is private, comfortable, and set up in a way that will help with having a focused interaction for the full session time. The counselor should ensure that their client knows how to get to their office and that the client can access the space. The client’s primary responsibility is to show up to the office ready to engage with the session.
When connecting for therapy online, the counselor should still take steps to provide a therapeutic space that is private, which means using a HIPPA-secure telehealth platform that is specifically protected to support privacy and confidentiality online. The therapist should give the client clear instructions about how to access the session online, which may be as simple as clicking through a link that is sent to the client by email or text.
For telehealth sessions, the client still needs to show up to the session. In this case, however, “showing up” means ensuring that the client has a reliable and secure internet connection that is fast enough to support a high-quality connection throughout the session. The counselor should be able to provide specifics related to the minimum connection speed, as well as operating system requirements or browser compatibility to support a strong session connection.
When deciding if online therapy may be right for you, consider whether you have access to the necessary equipment and services, as well as your comfort using them. These factors can help you determine if online therapy is a good possibility for you.
Continuing the Connection: Planning for the Unexpected with Therapy Online
Sometimes sessions get disrupted by unanticipated circumstances. With in-office sessions, it is good to have a plan in mind in the event of situations like poor weather conditions, travel delays, or vehicle problems that make it difficult to be present for your full session.
When connecting to your session online, it is wise to consider how you might respond to internet outages, equipment problems, or other circumstances that might interfere with your ability to connect or stay connected during your session. Having a plan in mind before disruptions occur can help to minimize any negative impact on the therapy session if the unexpected happens.
Protecting the Connection: Creating an Environment to Support Focus and Engagement During Online Therapy Sessions
Therapy offices are often quiet, private spaces with comfortable seating and calming elements like cozy pillows, warm lighting, picturesque photos, or soothing scents. When connecting to a session online, a client is often logging on to the session from their home, office, or car, where the setting may be far less relaxing.
To set the stage for a more effective experience, clients connecting for online therapy sessions from their home or office may want to identify a time when their environment will be less active or demanding. It may be helpful to block their calendar or to tell others that they will be unavailable for the duration of the session. Clients may wish to separate themselves from vocal or disruptive pets or other environmental distractions, and they may prefer to use headphones to further limit noises in the environment. It is often a good idea turn off alerts, alarms, or notifications on the device that the client is using to connect to the session. If a client is connecting by computer or tablet, it may be helpful to set their phone aside so that they will not be interrupted by emails, text messages, or phone calls during the session.
It is also important to consider whether you have access to a space where you can speak freely and privately; and where you will feel secure and comfortable, both physically and emotionally. This may mean identifying a favorite chair or quiet space within your home or office; preparing a cup of tea to enjoy during your session; or giving yourself a few extra minutes before each session to close your eyes and take a few breaths to help transition your mind and body from work or home events to your therapy.
If you're wondering if online therapy might be a good fit for you, think about whether you can identify a private, secure, and reasonably well-lit location where you can comfortably be for the duration of the session with your face visible to your therapist, and your attention focused on your session. If you already have a spot in mind or can figure out a way to make one work, online therapy may be a good option for you.
Prior to engaging in therapy online, individuals should think about the degree of distress that they are experiencing; the supports available to them in their environment; and their own stability. If a client has any concern about the safety of their environment; or their ability to be safe toward themselves or to others, online therapy is not likely not a good option.
Possible Benefits of Therapy Online Versus In-Office Therapy in Chicago or on the North Shore
The availability of mental health services online has been a tremendous asset to the world’s mental health in the 2020s (2). Providers have touted the efficacy of telehealth services in supporting the therapeutic needs of their clients. A 2021 survey of psychologists conducted by the American Psychological Association showed that 96% of respondents viewed telehealth to be therapeutically effective, and 97% believed that telehealth should remain as a treatment option post-pandemic (3).
It is evident that many benefits of online therapy have been identified by researchers and counselors, but what factors may indicate if telehealth could be a good choice for you?
Making the Connection: It May Be Easier to Find a Great Online Therapist
Telehealth vastly expands the number of therapists who may be available to work with an individual. This allows clients to find services for specialized needs that may not be readily available in their geographic area, such as targeted treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It also gives clients the opportunity to find specific types of treatment interventions that may be of interest like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) online for anxiety, trauma, or a host of other problems; or Cognitive Behavior Therapy approaches for body-focused repetitive behaviors including skin picking (excoriation or dermatillomania) and hair-pulling (trichotillomania).
Online therapy for mental health expands coverage to underserved areas and populations, supporting increased access to rural communities where mental health care options are often more limited (4); or increased availability of affirmative therapy for LGBT, neurodivergent, BIPOC, or other marginalized people who may struggle to find affirming therapists in their communities.
Using telehealth to expand the range of clinicians increases the number of choices available to a client. As a result, clients can identify any various factors that might be important to them when selecting a therapist, while still having options.
If you’re not sure what aspects to consider when choosing among therapists, this article provides some suggestions that may help. If you have been struggling to find an available therapist near you who meets your needs and seems like a good fit, online therapy may be the answer to finding the right therapist for you.
Continuing the Connection: Convenience Benefits of Online Therapy
Attending therapy from home, work, or elsewhere earned mention among the potential challenges of online therapy, however, attending your session from a location of your choosing also stands out as a potential benefit. There is a definite convenience factor to reducing or eliminating transportation time and hassles when attending therapy sessions online. Connecting to your therapist through telehealth means no more delays due to traffic or weather; may ease some childcare needs or other logistical challenges; reduces time away from the workday, and lessens concerns about transmission of illness.
Although clients may struggle to identify a place outside of a therapist’s office where they can feel calm and connected for their therapy session, many clients report that they actually feel more at ease when engaging in therapy from a familiar environment like their home. Clients may appreciate the opportunity to share a glimpse into their life outside of sessions when attending therapy online. Additionally, some clients have reported greater comfort with being vulnerable when distanced a bit through a screen, especially when first getting to know their therapist.
If you appreciate the comfort and convenience of working with your therapist from your preferred setting occasionally or for every session, online therapy may be a good choice for you.
Protecting the Connection: Online Therapy May Allow for Continued Care from Your Preferred Provider Wherever You Are
Another added benefit of online therapy is the potential ability to continue receiving care from your provider during travel or relocations. Clients who travel often for work or leisure may struggle with the consistent engagement necessary to promote progress toward treatment goals. Additionally, it is not uncommon for clients to express reluctance to find and start working with a new therapist when in-office visits with their therapist are no longer an option for whatever reason.
As long as a client continues to connect to their telehealth sessions from a state in which their therapist is licensed, they can likely continue care with their provider through travel or following relocations. The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) allows qualifying licensed psychologists to work with clients across the majority of states in the U.S., with pending legislation to add additional states to the compact. Psychologists not participating in PSYPACT, as well as therapists who are not psychologists, may still seek out independent licensure in multiple states. This means that it may be possible to provide telehealth sessions to clients even when they are located outside of the provider’s home state.
If travel within your state or across state lines makes in-office sessions logistically difficult to maintain consistently, telehealth may be a great way for you to participate in therapy from home or when away.
Making the Choice to Try Online Therapy or EMDR Online
There are many factors to consider when deciding if online therapy may be right for you. I hope that the reasons above will help to guide your process. If you continue to have questions about online therapy around the North Shore of Chicago, in Chicago, or from anywhere in the United States, feel free to reach out to me. I may be able to provide you with the answers.
If you think that I may be a great online therapist for your needs, contact me to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. I am proud to provide online therapy as a PSYPACT psychologist to most states throughout the U.S. My specialties include parent and caregiver burnout; affirming therapy for LGBTQIA+, culturally diverse, neurodivergent, and other marginalized individuals; stress and anxiety; trauma and PTSD; and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), including trauma therapy online and EMDR therapy online. You can read more about how I can help here.
American Psychiatric Association. (2021, June 2). New Nationwide Poll Shows an Increased Popularity for Telehealth Services. New nationwide poll shows an increased popularity for telehealth services. Retrieved February 6, 2022, from https://www.psychiatry.org/newsroom/news-releases/New-Nationwide-Poll-Shows-an-Increased-Popularity-for-Telehealth-Services
Zhou, X., Snoswell, C. L., Harding, L. E., Bambling, M., Edirippulige, S., Bai, X., & Smith, A. C. (2020). The role of telehealth in reducing the mental health burden from covid-19. Telemedicine and e-Health, 26(4), 377–379. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2020.0068
Clay, R. A. (2022, January 1). Telehealth proves its worth. Monitor on Psychology. Retrieved February 6, 2022, from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/01/special-telehealth-worth
Pfender, E. (2020). Mental health and covid-19: Implications for the future of Telehealth. Journal of Patient Experience, 7(4), 433–435. https://doi.org/10.1177/2374373520948436
