Benefits and Limitations to Online/Telehealth Therapy (IMO)
Being able to communicate across various video platforms, such as Zoom, has been a huge advantage the past 2 years in the wake of the pandemic, as well as opening our eyes to how being able to work, or access other services remotely, can be beneficial in other ways.
Telehealth has been a great way to keep mental health services accessible during this pandemic, which appears to have exacerbated almost everyone’s mental health challenges in one form or another. It’s also helped to decrease the sense of isolation from our support networks. As a therapist, I remain on the fence about whether or not I prefer to conduct services online or in-person. As a result, I offer both to allow the client to feel empowered to choose the option that best meets their needs, mitigates their concerns, and overall allows them to feel the most safe.
That being said, it’s not always a clear choice for either myself or my clients.
On the one hand, there are so many Pros:
Accessibility: I can work with clients no matter where in the state of Washington they are physically located. This helps to mitigate challenges related to commuting, transportation, or any of the many reasons you may not be able to leave home.
Safety: Telehealth options allow us to keep our session appointments and receive the support we need while decreasing the risk of transmission.
Decrease Isolation: Telehealth allows us to remain connected to people outside of our household that provide the support we need, whether friends, family, therapists, support groups such as AA, etc.
We can see faces: When we are in-person, we wear masks. When we meet online, I can see your face and your full facial expression (which is something I am incredibly mindful of as part of my ongoing assessment).
But while there are benefits, there are also things about Telehealth that are not my favorite. Let’s review some of the Cons:
Technology Glitches: Screens freeze, the internet goes out or slows down, there are delays, audio issues such as feedback/echoing, etc.
Distorted Social Cues: Talking to each other through a screen can distort non-verbal communication such as eye contact and/or we miss other cues because we are not “live”.
Distractions/Safety Concerns: I cannot maintain confidentiality or sense of safety if I am not in the room with you. I cannot mitigate interruptions by kids, spouses, roommates, or pets (though, I do love to see your pets, sometimes they can be disruptive).
I Can’t See Your Whole Body/Person: I pay very close attention to my clients’ body language, as well as their facial expressions, as input for ongoing assessment. When we are online, my view of your face+body is often limited.
Whether participating in therapy sessions online or in-person, each option has its risks and benefits. But having this kind of flexibility allows me to better cater to the needs of my clients.
For the person who works from home and needs to get out of the house and be in the presence of another human being, they can come into my office.
For the person who may be at increased risk for contracting the COVID virus, I offer Telehealth.
And for the person who has been meeting with me in-person, but has to quarantine due to a recent exposure, we can temporarily switch to telehealth as needed.
I imagine the trend to conduct therapy via telehealth sessions will continue even if/when COVID-19 no longer remains such a driving force in our everyday lives.
For more information about how I use Telehealth in my practice, or to see a list to help you prepare for a Telehealth appointment, click here.
