Telehealth. Telemedicine. Telecounseling. Whatever you want to call it, the idea is the same. You and your counselor “meet” virtually to do therapy from your respective locations.
I have to admit that prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic social distancing recommendations, I had no intention of offering telehealth services. My reasons?
“I don’t want to deal with the headache of learning more technology. “
“It won’t be the same as in person, I won’t be able to connect with my clients the same way.”
“People won’t want to access this service.”
At this point into quarantine and social isolation, I can fully admit that most of what was holding me back was an unwillingness to try something new outside of my comfort zone. With the government recommending social distancing and the closing of all non-essential businesses, I felt ethically obligated to continue providing mental health and substance abuse counseling (both of which are considered essential services) in a way that minimized the risk to my clients, friends, family and community.
So here I am, pushed outside my comfort zone and what have I learned in the past month of offering telehealth services?
I kind of like it and I now realize some of my “reasons” for not trying it before don’t really hold up.
“I don’t want to deal with the headache of learning more technology. “
Well actually, the technology has been pretty easy to use on both my end and my client’s end. I use the Simple Practice platform, and if you have a smart phone or tablet, it’s as simple as downloading an application.
If you use a computer or laptop with audio/mic capability, you don’t even need a download. Just click on a link.
“It won’t be the same as in person, I won’t be able to connect with my clients the same way.”
There may be some partial truth here, but believe me when I say it is not near what I had envisioned in my head. It is true that there are differences in providing services in person versus providing them via telehealth. I have noticed however, that some of my clients actually seem more at ease in their home environments. Having both video and audio minimizes the impact of not being physically present. Added bonuses: There are no awkward “wait” times in a waiting room outside my office if you arrive early. There is no chance of being seen by others entering a therapy office in public. There is no travel time to plan for. And my favorite: often times I get to actually “meet” some of the furry companions that I get to hear so much about during sessions.
“People won’t want to access this service.”
This one went right out the door during the pandemic. Just because social distancing was recommended, does not mean that those involved in therapy were in a good place to stop. The added stress related to uncertain next steps, worries about health for yourself or loved ones, financial uncertainty–all of this creates the perfect storm for creating difficulties for coping. Accessing support during this uncertain time can be a great self-care measure and telehealth provides a way for people to access care without putting themselves and others at increased health risk.
Even beyond the pandemic, we know that there are many areas across the state (and country for that matter) that are greatly undeserved when it comes to mental health and substance abuse counseling. Telehealth services improves accessibility to populations that don’t have a lot of local options. Just keep in mind that your counselor or therapist will need to be licensed to deliver services in the state where you are physically located when you participate in the sessions.
I feel incredibly lucky to have the option of continuing to do the work I love in a manner that supports the health and safety of my clients and community. This experience has broken down some of my negative expectations and I have full intentions of continuing to provide these services even after I determine that moving back to my office is a safe option for my clients and community to do my part in expanding access to needed services.
So if you are a provider or potential client that has been on the fence about providing or accessing this service? I encourage you to take “advantage” of this current social distancing period and try it. A lot of insurance companies have even implemented changes in their coverage policy during this period, covering these services during the pandemic and I encourage you to call and see what benefits you might have available to you.
At some point, this too shall pass and if telehealth services don’t work for you, you can always move back into the office at that point. Stay safe.
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