Teletherapy
Online therapy, also called telemental health or teletherapy, is a growing field. While telemedicine is a viable and effective venue for many healthcare services, there is perhaps no area of care better suited for the online medium than clinical therapy and counseling. Qualified therapists and counselors are simply unavailable in many parts of the country. With the use of our fast, safe, and secure video conference technology, Orbit Health can bring licensed and dedicated therapy providers to any location with working internet access. Teletherapy is convenient and effective for both the client and the therapist, vastly expanding the availability of therapists to areas around the nation.
Benefits of Teletherapy
Teletherapy offers several benefits over traditional, in-person counseling. Just a few of these benefits include:
- Ease of access for rural or other hard-to-reach locations
- Limited exposure to contagions such as the novel coronavirus
- Ease of communication between clients and therapists, including email and messaging between appointments
- Removal of other barriers including physical disability and scheduling concerns
- Elimination of the need to travel for the client and the therapist
- Lower administrative costs
- High client satisfaction
- Greater privacy, as there is no need to sit in a busy waiting room or parking lot
- Better public health by improving access across the country
- Access to more clients for therapists
- Access for incarcerated individuals and others unable to travel
- Ability to take on specialized cases
Teletherapy is Just as Effective as In-Person Therapy
Numerous studies have demonstrated that teletherapy is just as effective, if not more effective, than in-person therapy. A recent study of over 300 patients with major depressive disorder, for example, found that those who were treated in person and those who were treated via teletherapy had equivalent outcomes. Patient satisfaction for online and in-person therapy is more or less the same, while teletherapy offers added benefits. Many patients actually feel they are getting more direct attention from their telemedicine provider because the medium encourages practitioners to look at the screen the entire time rather than looking down to take notes; patients who feel more seen and heard are likely to open up more, leading to better results.
Moreover, because of the lower costs, reduced travel time, and other minimized barriers, many patients are more likely to continue with their treatment when it is conducted via teletherapy. Continued treatment and greater patient retention lead to greater results and a more healthy populace overall. Improved results have been identified, in particular, in drug counseling and other substance abuse treatment settings.
Who Can Provide Teletherapy?
The requirements for teletherapy are at least as stringent as for the provision of in-person care. The only difference is the medium. Each state has its own licensing requirements, and many even permit practitioners from out of state so long as they are properly licensed and comply with minor additional regulatory hurdles. All types of mental healthcare professionals can provide teletherapy, including licensed professional counselors, licensed psychologists, licensed psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers, and licensed family therapists.
At Orbit Health, we stay on top of all licensing and regulatory requirements around the country. When you contract with Orbit Health to provide or receive teletherapy services, we ensure that all of the licensing requirements and other hurdles are satisfied. Our secure technology is HIPAA-compliant, so there’s no added danger of patient confidential information being misplaced or exposed. Call Orbit Health to find out how to expand your practice into teletherapy, whether as a provider or as a partner.
For Quality Teletherapy Services, Reach Out to Orbit Health Today
If you are a healthcare provider, employer, youth home, substance abuse treatment center, or correctional facility, Orbit Health is ready to bring qualified teletherapy practitioners to your doorstep. With Orbit Health, you do not have to rely on therapists already located in your area, nor do you have to worry about coronavirus contamination or other safety concerns. Orbit Health will connect you with qualified, licensed, effective psychiatric professionals, brought directly to any location that has internet access. If you are looking for teletherapy services in your location, contact Orbit Health today!