What is Teletherapy?

See the Benefits, Challenges, and its Revolutionary Impact on Mental Health

Teletherapy Defined



Teletherapy, also known as online therapy, is basically mental health counseling you receive remotely via phone or online platforms. Whether through video calls or specialized Telehealth websites, new technology allows us to extend help anytime, anywhere it's needed.

The Benefits of Teletherapy



The cool thing about teletherapy is it's a win-win for everyone. Therapists can achieve a better work-life balance, and clients get tons of flexibility. It saves time and money by eliminating travel – you can attend sessions from the comfort of your couch (or your favorite park!). But the biggest benefit? Teletherapy lets us reach way more people who need help, chipping away at the shortage of mental health resources. It's pretty amazing how technology can help us connect and improve mental wellbeing!

At I Heart Therapy, your privacy is our priority. We use only the best HIPAA-compliant platforms for teletherapy, so your sessions are safe and confidential. Think secure video chat, encrypted messages, and apps – all designed to keep your conversations completely private. So you can relax, focus on healing, and know your conversations with your therapist are completely confidential.

The Challenges of Teletherapy

Super convenient, but not always perfect.

Listen, teletherapy is awesome for many reasons, but it's important to be honest about its limitations. Therapy can be about those subtle clues, like body language, that can be trickier to pick up on over a screen. Plus, sometimes you just need a change of scenery to really open up. Some other issues that could arise are:



• Adulting can be noisy: Finding a truly private space at home for a session can be tough, especially with roommates or kids around.
• Tech glitches happen: A frozen screen or dropped call in the middle of a breakthrough can be super frustrating.
• In-office might be better for some situations: Complex emotional issues might need the focus and privacy that an in-person session offers. Also, some modalities like EMDR are more effective in person.

The Impact of Teletherapy on Mental Health



Teletherapy has made a big difference on mental health. It has made getting help easier and less scary, which means more people are getting the help they need. Plus, lots of people say they're happy with this way of getting treatment, showing that it works.

The Statistics



The popularity of teletherapy is clearly on the rise, as evidenced by its increasing usage. More people are turning to teletherapy. In fact, 43.3% of adults aged 65 and over and 21% of U.S adults have used teletherapy in the past year. The number of people using tele-visits has grown from 14% in 2016, to 28% in 2019, and then to a staggering 80% in 2022.

We’ll Leave You With This



At I Heart Therapy, we see teletherapy as a powerful tool in mental health care. It boasts numerous benefits but also poses certain challenges. However, as technology improves and our understanding deepens, we believe teletherapy will continue to evolve and become an even more vital tool in mental health care.

The good news? We can help! We'll work with you to find the perfect approach, whether it's teletherapy or traditional in-person meetings. After all, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and supported on your path to feeling better.