A guide to help you understand telehealth and the benefits it brings
Telehealth psychology services have emerged as an increasingly popular alternative to traditional in-person therapy. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for remote mental health care has become even more pressing. Telehealth psychology services allow individuals to receive mental health services over the internet or phone, providing numerous benefits that traditional therapy cannot match. Telehealth psychology can address many barriers to accessing care for mental health. So how can it help you?
Increased Access to Support
One of the most significant advantages of telehealth psychology services is the increased access to care they provide. Individuals who live in rural areas, those with mobility issues, and those with busy schedules may struggle to receive mental health care in person. Telehealth services can break down these barriers by allowing people to receive care from the comfort of their own homes..
Convenience and Cost-Effectiveness
Telehealth psychology services are incredibly convenient. Clients can schedule appointments outside of traditional office hours, and there is no need to travel to and from appointments which can help with saving time and money. This can be especially beneficial for people who live far away from their therapist's office or who have transportation challenges. Clients can also choose to have therapy sessions in a private and comfortable space of their choice, which can help them feel more relaxed and open during their sessions. The teleconference platform that we use at Resilient Minds Psychology is simple, where you can access your appointment easily by clicking on a link that we provide, where you do not need to download any prior programs or software's.
Increased Comfort and Confidentiality
Telehealth psychology services offer increased comfort and confidentiality for clients. Clients can have therapy sessions from their own homes, which can be a more comfortable and familiar environment than an unfamiliar office. Clients also have more control over their privacy during telehealth sessions. They can choose a private location to have their session and can ensure that no one else is in the room during their session.
Greater Flexibility for both Clients and Therapist
Telehealth psychology services offer greater flexibility for both clients and therapists. Clients can schedule appointments more easily, and therapists can work from anywhere. This increased flexibility can make it easier for therapists to balance their work and personal lives, which can ultimately improve the quality of care they provide.
So what does the research say about Telehealth Psychology services?
A number of research indicate that Telehealth therapy is equally as effective as face to face treatment. A systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by Krzyzaniak and colleagues (2021) found that telehealth interventions for anxiety are as effective as traditional face to face treatment. A number of other research had found similar results with no significant difference for a range of other mental health conditions (Coughtrey and Pistrang 2018; Fletcher and colleagues, 2018; Greenwood and colleagues 2022). As the world becomes more connected, telehealth services are likely to become even more popular, and they will play an increasingly important role in mental health care.
Blog post by Resilient Minds Psychology
Resilient Minds Psychology is a telehealth psychology practice based in Sydney. To book an appointment, please contact 1800 164 637 or complete the form on our website and we will get back to you.
References:
Coughtrey, A. E., & Pistrang, N. (2018). The effectiveness of telephone-delivered psychological therapies for depression and anxiety: A systematic review.Journal of telemedicine and telecare,24(2), 65–74.
Fletcher, T. L., Hogan, J. B., Keegan, F., Davis, M. L., Wassef, M., Day, S., & Lindsay, J. A. (2018). Recent Advances in Delivering Mental Health Treatment via Video to Home.Current psychiatry reports,20(8), 56.
Greenwood, H., Krzyzaniak, N., Peiris, R., Clark, J., Scott, A. M., Cardona, M., Griffith, R., & Glasziou, P. (2022). Telehealth Versus Face-to-face Psychotherapy for Less Common Mental Health Conditions: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.JMIR mental health,9(3).
Krzyżaniak, N., Greenwood, H., Scott, A., Peiris, R., Cardona, M., Clark, J., & Glasziou, P. P. (2021). The effectiveness of telehealth versus face-to face interventions for anxiety disorders: A systematic review and metaanalysis. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 1-12.