6 Reasons to Stick with Teletherapy After the Pandemic
5 minute read.
Normalization of Teletherapy.
In-office therapy is a staple in the field. In fact, one of the more classic images associated with a therapist’s office is a weeping maiden laid out on a couch while an older, white, (possibly bearded) gentleman takes notes.
The field has certainly changed since the origin of this image - slowly but surely, it is becoming more inclusive and diverse, accessibility issues are being considered and there is a welcome recognition that in-office visits are no longer your only option.
I am one of many therapists who will be striking out into a fully virtual private practice in 2021. If you have been forced to switch to teletherapy during the past 12 months (at the time of this post), you may be itching for the opportunity to return to in-office visits.
Or maybe you are on the other side and would like to keep the teletherapy party going when the world opens up again. Whichever way you lean, below are some reasons to consider keeping your therapy virtual.
Why You Should Do Teletherapy
1. Stress of the commute.
We have all been there, fighting traffic to make an appointment, silently (or not so silently) cursing the bus or train you are riding for moving to slow, or fighting people on the sidewalk to get to your desired destination.
In the past, clients have arrived to their session enraged due to the commute to my old office, taking 10-15 minutes of their session to use grounding exercises. While an opportunity to exercise these skills can be beneficial, it does not always need to be done during a time the client is paying for.
2. Teletherapy is accessible.
The accessibility of the therapist’s office is often overlooked. Folx with disabilities may need to do research or call ahead about accessibility in the building where their therapist works. Then there is the possible day-of issues including construction, maintenance, etc.
Most virtual platforms offer accessibility tools for hearing and visually impaired individuals to aid in using their program.
3. Teletherapy is flexible.
One of most relatable issues that Americans experience today is stress due to a demanding schedule. Many individuals seeking therapy work a 9-5 schedule, leaving evening and weekends as their only available options for therapy.
Unfortunately, because of the high demand, these times are typically the most difficult to schedule. So unless you have been with your therapist for a long time, or they miraculously had an evening spot open up, it is difficult to schedule at a time that works for you. For the many hair stylists, SAHM/F/P, service industry workers, night shift workers and other “alternative schedule” jobs, the challenges can still be present.
Not many clients enjoy packing their spare time with appointments. Teletherapy offers the option to break up your day, rather than considering the 8+ hours “off limits.” With teletherapy, I have been able to see clients on their lunch break in their cars, in vacant offices before their coworkers get in, in a park near their work site during their break, etc.
4. Most therapists offer teletherapy.
When the first stay-at-home orders were issued in March 2020 in my home state of Pennsylvania, therapists were left without a choice of switching to teletherapy or not. Some were uncomfortable with the switch, some were grateful for a new way to reach clients. Now that many have invested in home offices, good laptops, ring lights and fancy backdrops, teletherapy is likely to remain an offering after the pandemic ends.
5. Talk therapy does not require in person visits.
This may not be the case for creative arts therapy (shout out to my fellow Music Therapists), play therapists, therapists who treat children, etc. There is no reason that teletherapy cannot be just as normalized as in-person visits for adults seeking talk therapy. As more research comes out, we continue to learn that the benefit is primarily case by case, based on preference and comfort level.
6. Insurance companies cover teletherapy now.
Before the pandemic hit, I was working in the office 3 days/week and seeing clients from home via teletherapy 2 days/week. At that point, only one insurance company covered teletherapy fully, and others covered it on a plan-by-plan basis.
It is possible that with the long term success that both therapists and clients have had with teletherapy over the past year, more insurance companies will see the benefit of full coverage. Also, if you plan on seeing a therapist out of network, there will be minimal parameters (however, some insurance companies may be slow to fully reimburse for teletherapy).
Of course, if in-office visits are your jam, then you should continue with what makes you comfortable. If you need a reason to leave your home, or if you would feel unsafe discussing your issues outside of a private office, then in-office visits may be your best option.
The above reasons are meant to empower individuals who have been discouraged by the stress of in-office visits, not shame those who find teletherapy unfavorable.
