Online mental health counseling, commonly referred to as teletherapy or telehealth, has been around for quite some time, but has grown in popularity and usage during the COVID-19 pandemic to help ensure everyone’s safety and health. Typically, teletherapy is simply counseling offered via phone call or a video platform. It is used for many types of therapy, and has proven to be just as effective as in-person counseling.
Telehealth mental health counseling may have started for many practices as a convenient alternative to in-person sessions, but it has quickly become a staple in the mental health community.
Anchor Therapy is a counseling center in Hoboken, NJ with mental health therapists specialized in helping children, teens, adults, and couples with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, life transitions, and more. Anchor Therapy is accepting new clients and is now providing in-person sessions and teletherapy sessions to residents of New Jersey, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Utah.
What exactly is telehealth therapy?
Virtual therapy is a form of mental health counseling that occurs remotely rather than standard in-person sessions. Teletherapy uses a secure platform, whether that be through a phone call or a video call. Just like you would with in-person sessions, you have a scheduled, set appointment date and time. But, instead of traveling to your online therapist’s office, you can attend your session from the comfort of your own home.
The discussions that you will engage in through virtual mental health counseling are exactly the same talks you would expect in in-person mental health counseling. The only difference between the two therapy forms is the setting for your appointment.
To learn more, read our blog “What Is Telehealth (Online Therapy) and Is It For Me?”.
How does teletherapy work?
Your virtual therapy sessions are exactly like in-person therapy sessions. You will have similar discussions with your therapist, with your therapist asking you questions and you opening up about your anxieties and troubles.
Some people may find that it is difficult to build a true connection through virtual mental health counseling at first. However, it is important to remember that there is an adjustment period between all therapists and clients, especially during the start of the connection. This happens whether beginning sessions are in-person or virtual.
Here are some tips that you can apply to your teletherapy sessions to make the adjustment a little bit easier on you:
Protect your privacy by using a location where no one else in your home can hear your conversations
Find a spot in your home (or wherever you are taking your teletherapy call) where there are no distractions so you can give your full attention to the session
Wear headphones to protect your privacy and block out additional noise
Keep a notebook handy if you want to take notes during your therapy sessions as some people find it harder to remember information on virtual therapy calls
If you are still confused about virtual therapy sessions, feel free to ask your online therapist any questions you may have (e.g., how therapy will work, what to expect in sessions, how your treatment goals will change/progress, and so on)
Remember that there is a learning curve for everyone (yes, even your therapist!)
If you are looking to better prepare yourself for your first virtual therapy session, our blog “All You Need To Know About Telehealth Mental Health Therapy Services” is a must-read.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic change telehealth therapy?
When the coronavirus outbreak first hit, teletherapy became a needed lifeline for millions of people all over the world. At Anchor Therapy, we were able to prioritize clients’ needs, and use our tools and technology to offer telehealth sessions and adjust to a rapidly-changing world.
Throughout the pandemic, our clients were able to talk to their virtual therapists through lockdowns, health uncertainties, and stay-at-home orders. Fast forward to present day, many of our clients continue to use and benefit from virtual therapy sessions as it better fits their schedule. For instance, some of our clients may take a virtual morning session before their work day starts and the hecticness of the day sits in, while other clients may slip away from work on their lunch break and enjoy a telehealth session then.
Why is online mental health counseling so important?
In our society, we tend to prioritize our physical health while we neglect our mental health and emotional needs. Online talk therapy or virtual psychotherapy is a method used by mental health professionals to assess and treat mental health conditions. This concerns your emotions, thinking, and behavioral patterns. In telehealth counseling, you will talk to a mental health professional so you can learn specific skills and coping strategies to manage your mental health.
There are many reasons to attend counseling online. Here are some common examples:
Work on relationship challenges (Read “How Couples Are Taking Advantage of Telehealth Counseling During COVID-19” for more information)
Address a mental health condition (like depression, trauma, OCD, etc. for example)
Assist through a challenging life event or situation
What are the benefits of online psychotherapy?
Online mental health therapy is effective for the majority of clients who try it. People with mental health conditions who attend online mental health counseling not only see an improvement in their symptoms, but they see an improvement in their overall quality of life.
With that being said, it is important to note that you do not have to have a mental health condition to attend therapy. If you are someone who needs guidance, a listening ear during a stressful time, or simply want to work on self-improvement, online psychotherapy is for you!
Some benefits of online therapy services encompass the following:
Better communication skills
Better sleep
Increased life satisfaction and happiness
Feelings of empowerment
Improved mental health functioning and productivity
Improved relationships and connections with other people
Improved physical wellbeing
Development of healthy coping skills to deal with life’s challenges and daily stressors
Improved management of behavioral health challenges (e.g., drug or alcohol addiction)
What are my options for online mental health therapy?
Similar to in-person therapy, you can attend virtual therapy in countless formats.
For example, if your child or teen is experiencing mental health difficulties, virtual counseling is there to help! Many people think that children cannot be seen for counseling online, but that is not true! A certified online therapist will know techniques and online therapeutic methods to keep your child engaged for the entirety of their therapy session.
For younger children, many child therapists offer online play or art therapy. Online play therapy is extremely effective for children, especially for children who may be anxious to be seen in-person or have issues surrounding commuting. Children show significant improvements in their emotional and behavioral functioning from attending online play therapy or virtual art therapy. For more information, read our recent blog “How Play Therapy Can Improve Your Child’s Mental Health.”
Many teens and adults actually prefer online therapy due to its convenience. Clients can participate in sessions from their own home and do not have to worry about accounting for commuting time in their busy schedules. Additionally, some online therapists may offer more time flexibility with virtual sessions. Just like in-person therapy, you can still receive evidence-based therapeutic modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and more!
Lastly, online therapists can also offer therapy to more than one client at a time, in a family therapy, couples therapy, or group therapy setting.
In online family counseling, your family therapist will work with multiple family members at the same time through a video conferencing platform to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen the family system. Check out our blog “How to Decide if Family Counseling is the Right Fit for You.”
In virtual couples therapy, your couples therapist works with you and your partner to delve deeper into your relationship and help you both develop a stronger relationship. Just as you would in in-person sessions, your couples counselor will work to address problems in your relationship, such as infidelity, health concerns, sexual difficulties, and so on.
In group therapy, there are a minimum of two clients present alongside one certified online group therapist. Group therapy is extremely convenient in an online setting since it removes travel difficulties for many people. In virtual group therapy, you can improve your communication skills and build social support. You get the chance to connect with other people who are experiencing similar challenges as you.
Do teens and young adults tend to prefer online mental health counseling?
Yes! Some teens and young adults actually prefer virtual therapy sessions as teletherapy attracts the younger generations. While the exact cause of this preference is unknown, it is suspected to have occurred since younger generations have grown up surrounded by technology, therefore, they have a high comfort level with it.
Younger generations are sparking conversations around wellness and self-care, encouraging other friends and family members to seek out virtual mental health counseling as well.
Breaking Down Common Stereotypes About Telehealth Therapy:
Unfortunately, there are many myths about online mental health counseling, from it not being as effective as in-person mental health counseling to it not being secure. Not only are these stereotypes untrue, but they can also be damaging as they discourage people from getting the mental health treatment they need.
Continue reading to learn more about common myths of virtual therapy and why they are false…
Zoom therapy is not as effective as in-person mental health therapy sessions
Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions about virtual mental health therapy is its effectiveness. Just because the location of therapy has changed from in-person to online sessions, does not mean that it is any less effective.
Therapists and clients do not have to be in the same room for therapy to be effective. There is a lot of evidence suggesting that virtual therapy is just as effective as in-person mental health counseling. Some clients will even go as far as to say that they find it more effective than in-person therapy!
It can even be argued that teletherapy offers greater benefits to clients rather than traditional in-person sessions. Telehealth counseling offers timely support and flexibility to clients.
Telehealth counseling offers the following benefits:
Flexibility in time and place for virtual session times
More convenient and easily accessible mental health care
Flexibility during times of illness and other factors
Read “Your Guide To Online Therapy” for more information.
2. Telecounseling is not secure
Telecounseling can be secure, as long as therapists and clients are using a HIPAA-compliant platform.
At Anchor Therapy, our online therapists use Google Meet, a HIPAA-complaint video platform. HIPAA rules protect your privacy, protecting sensitive client information from being disclosed without your consent. If you are unsure about the safety of your virtual therapy sessions, you can ask your virtual therapist to provide you with clear information about their safety protocols to maintain your confidentiality.
Online therapy can be a secure and effective option if you are looking for mental health treatment, as long as proper precautions are taken to secure your personal information. It is important that you work with a virtual therapist who has experience with teletherapy, whether that is a therapist at Anchor Therapy or somewhere else.
3. You can’t establish a relationship with your therapist through online therapy
Some clients believe that teletherapy will be impersonal due to the loss of physical presence. But, in teletherapy, you are not speaking to an automated bot or a different person each time you call in for your session. Instead, you have the same therapist each session.
Teletherapy also offers a wide range of communication styles to meet you where you are. You can do video sessions or even phone sessions if you feel more comfortable that way.
4. Insurance does not cover online therapy services
Almost all major health providers cover virtual teletherapy services the same way in-person services would be offered and billed. There are both in-network and out-of-network options for telehealth counseling.
5. Teletherapy is only used in urgent crisis situations
This could not be farther from the truth! Online mental health counseling differs greatly from crisis hotlines. Crisis hotlines assist people who cannot reach a hospital or crisis center. Teletherapy should not be confused as a crisis hotline as it is not an emergency mental health service.
With that being said, virtual mental health therapy offers more flexibility in comparison to in-person sessions. But, it is the same as traditional in-person therapy, just with a setting change. With virtual counseling, your online therapist may have more flexibility, such as being able to see you during after-work, evening hours or on the weekend. Telehealth counseling can also benefit clients who are in remote or rural areas who cannot attend therapy or find a therapist near them.
From minor, daily struggles to serious mental health conditions, online mental health counseling is here to save the day! Online therapy is a conversation-based method that can help you alleviate symptoms, and become the best version of yourself. Telehealth counseling opens up more mental health care options for you while addressing issues of transportation and commute times.
If you are struggling, we have online mental health counselors at Anchor Therapy who are here to help. Reach out today to schedule a time to meet with one of our virtual therapists to see if telehealth counseling is a good option for you.
Victoria Scala
is the Social Media Manager, Intake Coordinator, and Office Manager at Anchor Therapy in Hoboken, New Jersey. She is a graduate of the Honors College of Rutgers University-Newark. In her roles, Victoria is committed to managing the office’s social media presence and prioritizing clients' needs.
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