Online behavioral health therapy is very similar to in person behavioral health therapy with the exception that one does not have to drive to a physical location to do the therapy. Some people, through the use of telehealth, prefer doing behavioral health therapy from the comfort of their own home, or other location, provided there is adequate privacy vs spending the time to drive to a therapy session.

Why Some People Prefer Telehealth

Many of my patients, particularly those with anxiety disorders, such as general anxiety disorder, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, stress, and phobias, feel more at ease in their own homes than in my or other therapists’ office.

Convenience and Flexibility

For those with busy schedules, telehealth can offer real advantages vs taking time off work to drive to an appointment at a therapy office. One can potentially meet during a lunch break or if they are running late from work and might, otherwise have to cancel an appointment, they can potentially go into a conference room to do an online session or even sit in their car and meet for a session. (Note: It is not safe to do a behavioral health session while someone is driving and should be rescheduled if this is about to occur or is occurring.)

Is Telehealth Effective and Who Is It For?

Although telehealth, behavioral health therapy, can be an extremely helpful tool, it is not for everyone. Online behavioral health therapy is a form of telehealth and should be provided on a secure HIPPA compliant platform. UCLA Health and many other studies have shown it to be as effective as in person behavioral health therapy. A person seeking help online needs: Access to the internet; some comfort with technology such as filling out forms online through a laptop, tablet, phone or desktop computer and should be in a place where they have privacy. Telehealth is not generally recommended for those who are actively suicidal. (If one is actively suicidal, please go to the hospital, call 911 or 988).

Who Benefits Most from Online Behavioral Health Therapy?

The clients that appear to benefit most from online behavioral health therapy are those; with anxiety disorders, prefer the convenience of not having to spend extra time driving to and from therapy or just feel more comfortable being in their own home for therapy. It can be helpful for others as well, such as; if there are no therapists available in one’s area, if one has transportation issues, if one is having trouble finding an in-person therapist, if one is not comfortable speaking to a local therapist or if one occasionally runs late. If one is running late, they still might have time to have an abbreviated session instead of having to cancel and reschedule an in-person session.

Summary

In summary if you are a person who feels more comfortable in their own home than a therapist’s office, no matter how nice, is not having significant suicidal thoughts and would like to work on being the best you, telehealth behavioral health therapy may be right for you.

Free 30-Minute Consultation

If you have further questions, I offer a free 30-minute no obligation consult. Let me know if I can help.