Suzette Turner-Clark, LCSW-S, RPT/S, RYT-200

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Telehealth Support during COVID-19 Crisis

Since my last writing, little did we all know what a different world in which we would be living - the fog of a global pandemic. As society experiences many types of division, we face a fair set of concurrently experienced challenges. We seem together; yet separated. Many now better appreciate connections with one another since our in-person options are limited. Happily, there are diverse ways in which to continue our relationships, such as with use of remote resources of virtual communications. Through Internet audio/video, friends and family can meet with greater confidence. One can even attend medical or mental health sessions from a computer, tablet or mobile device. There is increasing interest in online connections due to a growing sense of isolation with limitations on businesses offering personal services.

Because of social distancing, compounded stress seems to be taking its toll on those who were previously working on coping with their anxiety. Parents and couples, finding themselves in closer quarters, experience surfacing relationship troubles. Young people are upset by the changes to their academic and social routines, as well as worried about the world at large. Addressing these challenges can be served online rather than through direct in-person therapy. 

There are pros and cons to online mental health services, but once experienced, virtual sessions are found to have many benefits. Some considerations are whether insurance will cover an electronic session; this is currently changing. At times, unreliable technology can interrupt a usually seamless clinical session. Therapists have reported trouble detecting facial expressions to get a clear picture of moods or to directly respond to real-time serious client crisis. Privacy and confidentiality are issues with family within earshot, but these concerns can be abated with a headset, earbuds or closed doors.

There is
good evidence that Teletherapy works. Virtual services are effective for mental health diagnosis and assessment across many populations and disorders in various settings. According to current research, online sessions appear to be comparable to face-to-face care. Telehealth brings services to remote areas or helps those who are homebound due to illness or handicap. Video sessions really are convenient eliminating the need for driving, traffic, parking or waiting rooms. These factors save a client time and money. Currently, most Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can now cover the session cost. Through telehealth experience, I have noticed that some clients even gain therapeutic benefits with an online venue. Many are more relaxed at home; therefore, portraying a truer Self that leads to more quickly reaching their treatment goals. So, if you have a computer and an Internet connection, Teletherapy may be a safe and convenient option for you to receive needed support during a particularly challenging time.