Published on August 01, 2023

Is Tele-Therapy Right For You?

By Sandra Breach, LICSW, Bryan Medical Center Counseling Center

During the COVID-19 pandemic, insurance companies relaxed the guidelines for online therapy to ensure that people would have access to support while quarantined and when behavioral health offices were closed. Although the pandemic is officially over, the guidelines have not yet changed, and tele-health is still available to most people.

If you are considering counseling or psychotherapy, you may have the option of choosing either tele-health or in person counseling. Which is the best option for you? Some of the benefits and limitations are described here.

Tele-Therapy Benefits

  • Your participation in online therapy is given the same level of confidentiality as if you were in the office, and the electronic technology used by the therapist is expected to be firewall and password protected.
  • Online therapy means you do not have to drive to the office and wait for your appointment, thus saving you time.
  • If you have mobility limitations or transportation problems, online therapy provides you with regular therapy appointments on a consistent basis with no worries about obtaining transportation or having to cancel a session.

It is expected that you will be in a quiet and private location during your online session to ensure your privacy and freedom from distraction. That means doing your tele-therapy session while driving is unacceptable because it would be considered dangerous and distracting.

Tele-Therapy Shortcomings

  • For children and adolescents, it is difficult to build rapport and sustain their attention online. The challenges and problems of online school during the pandemic created problems for many youth; some continue to have anxiety around school and a feeling of discouragement if they get behind in their learning and work.
  • Tele-therapy is not recommended for certain mental health therapies, such as clinical hypnosis, EMDR, guided imagery, and Internal Family Systems therapy. These should be done in the office with your provider. It's possible to experience an emotional flashback or regression that may require intervention, which is not possible with online therapy. In addition, young children who might benefit from play therapy or sensory activities during sessions are deprived of these options online.
  • The quality of the therapy can be limited because of the therapist’s restricted view of non-verbal reactions and movement. Mindfulness to, and the expression of, emotion is a core function of mental health therapy, and it is more difficult for the therapist to ‘read’ emotional expressions without a clear view of the entire person.
  • Finally, there can be audio, visual or connection problems during a session. Not everyone is skilled at using technology, nor does everyone have access to a computer, smart phone or even the internet.

You are Your Best Advocate

The decision is yours. If tele-therapy is your preference, perhaps consider attending some in-person sessions from time to time. You may be someone who usually attends session in-office, but occasionally uses tele-health when time is short or a health problem necessitates staying home. These hybrid options can ensure that you continue your sessions and have successful therapeutic outcomes. 

The benefits and limitations outlined here will enable you to make informed decisions about how to get the most from your therapy experience. If you are struggling, take a free confidential behavioral health screening here. Print the results and take them with you to your appointment so that your provider will have all the information they need to make sure you get the best care.