Is Telehealth as Helpful as Office-Based Mental Healthcare?

Ever since the pandemic forced us all indoors for months at a time, online alternatives to services and events that once were in-person only have vastly increased access. Instead of traveling to conventions or schools all across the globe, you can now join in via Zoom® or another video conferencing service.

You’ve considered in-person therapy and may have even experienced it before. But right now, you feel like your daily life is already jam-packed.

Still, you hesitate. Videoconferencing is great for work meetings or taking a short course. Can counseling that takes place over the internet via a private, HIPAA-compliant line be as effective as face-to-face communication?

At The Soho Center for Mental Health Counseling, our expert counselors are similar to the 96% of psychologists nationwide who see clients online as well as in person. We help you select the most appropriate mental healthcare option for your needs.

Teletherapy is as effective as in-person counseling

Although teletherapy has only been offered for a few years, studies that compare its effectiveness to in-person counseling find that it offers equivalent benefits in terms of:

Efficacy
Patient satisfaction
Dropout rates

Many types of therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, are talk-based modalities. Your therapist listens to how you talk to and about yourself. They teach you to observe your own negative beliefs and counter them with more helpful, positive beliefs and self-talk, which can be done just as efficiently online as in person.

Patients are less likely to miss a telehealth appointment than an in-office visit. However, in complex cases such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, in-person visits may be the best option.

Pros and cons of in-office therapy

Counselors note that it’s easier to pick up on a client’s subtle physical cues when meeting in person. During teletherapy, you’re each limited to seeing the other’s head and shoulders.

While in an office together, your therapist gets a better idea of your posture, demeanor, and physical tics. These can all add to the picture they have of you and your present state.

For instance, they’re better able to pick up on facial micro-expressions that might not be as visible on a digitized screen. They can also note such things as whether or not you have alcohol on your breath or are tapping your toes out of nervousness.

You also have a dedicated, safe, private space in which to meet that’s devoted exclusively to your well-being. There’s no danger of a spouse, partner, or parent accidentally barging into your session. You aren’t distracted by other activities, such as preparing dinner or tending to a barking dog or screaming child.

The main cons of in-person therapy have to do with convenience. Getting around town can be hectic, especially when you have other commitments and tasks to accomplish.

Pros and cons of teletherapy

By cutting out the commute required for an in-office visit, you more easily fit teletherapy into your schedule. It’s easier to carve out 50 minutes of screen time at home or the office than it is to arrange for a two-hour absence. You may also not be quite ready to be “public” with your therapy.

The main con of teletherapy is that internet service is not always 100% reliable. You and your counselor discuss ahead of time how to handle a situation in which you’re abruptly cut off from one another.

Lastly, teletherapy may not be appropriate if you have a complex condition, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

The relationship is key — online or off

Whether you choose to meet in person or online, the relationship you establish with your counselor is essential to the success of your therapy. Over time, you learn to trust your counselor, and they learn your communication style, too.

We offer a HIPAA-secure telehealth option for all our counseling services, based on your needs. You can benefit from teletherapy for:

Depression
Anxiety
Self-esteem
Mental health issues
Trauma
Eating disorders
Anger management
Grief and loss
Substance abuse
Alcoholism
PTSD
Sexual abuse
OCD
Divorce mediation
Couples therapy

You can also combine in-person and telehealth sessions, depending on your schedule and preference. You may wish to meet in person for your first session, for example, to establish rapport, but then arrange for telehealth.

Do you think telehealth would make it easier for you to get the mental healthcare you need and deserve? Just contact our helpful office staff at our Greenwich Village offices in New York City, New York, for in-person or HIPAA-compliant teletherapy sessions.