People with chronic health conditions often seek long-term care to help them function from day to day. It’s rare for anyone to question why a person would see a doctor regularly for their ongoing physical healthcare needs. Ideally, people should treat their mental health needs with the same urgency as their physical health needs. Just as chronic physical health conditions benefit from ongoing care, chronic mental health conditions do, as well.
Online therapy is an excellent option for those seeking ongoing mental health care. If you struggle to maintain in-person appointments with your therapists, you may find it refreshing to switch to a digital care model. Here’s why online therapy makes a great long-term solution for mental health access.
What Is Online Therapy?
Online therapy is mental health care that’s delivered over the internet. It’s also sometimes referred to as teletherapy or digital therapy. It gives patients the freedom to receive mental healthcare services from a licensed therapist without driving to a brick-and-mortar location.
Online therapy supports several different communication methods. Some therapists may conduct sessions primarily by telephone. Others may offer video conferencing, text messaging, online chat, or email therapy services.
The Long-Term Viability of Online Therapy
Online therapy offers exceptional long-term viability and is an ideal choice for ongoing mental healthcare. It removes barriers that prevent many people from receiving the mental health support they need. Here are a few of the reasons online therapy offers exceptional liability when compared to in-person therapy:
Makes Mental Healthcare More Affordable
Just like physical healthcare, mental healthcare services can be expensive for some individuals and families. That’s why some patients put their mental health needs on the back burner, especially if they require ongoing care. The good news is that affordable online counseling is available for those who are looking for more reasonably priced mental healthcare.
Online therapists often practice out of their homes instead of paying to rent an office space. Therefore, they typically have decreased overhead costs. This makes it possible for them to offer lower treatment prices compared to some in-person therapists. When you choose online therapy, you also don’t have to worry about spending money on gas to commute to your appointments. Instead, you can talk to your therapist right from your home or while taking your lunch break at work.
Bridges Accessibility Gaps
Some people may not be able to receive in-person mental healthcare services for various reasons. Certain geographical areas may be chronically underserved with limited access to licensed mental healthcare providers. Rural areas may be particularly prone to this problem.
Besides geographical accessibility barriers, some patients may also struggle with physical health conditions that prevent them from traveling to their preferred therapist. Accessing mental healthcare online removes these barriers and makes it easier for people from all walks of life to obtain ongoing mental healthcare.
Ensures Continuity of Care
Continuity of care refers to the coordinated and consistent management of a patient’s healthcare. It focuses on building a comprehensive, ongoing healthcare plan that considers all of the patient’s needs.
In terms of mental healthcare, online therapy ensures continuity of care by making it easy for patients to continue seeing their same therapist. Even if a patient moves, they can still access their preferred therapist online (provided that their therapist is licensed in their state). By ensuring continuity of care, online therapy becomes a long-term solution for mental health access.
Reduces Stigma
Mental healthcare has been largely destigmatized across most of the world. Many people now see it for what it is – a valuable service that can boost both mental and overall health. However, some individuals may still prefer to keep their therapy sessions private. Meeting with an in-person therapist may cause feelings of anxiety and might even cause some people to discontinue their sessions.
Online therapy is remarkably discreet and is an excellent long-term solution for anyone who values their privacy. When patients know they can talk to a therapist from the discreet comfort of their own home, they are more likely to continue their treatment sessions for the long term.
Supports Sustained Mental Health Outcomes
Some people have the idea that online care can’t be as effective as in-person care. However, research shows this is not the case when it comes to mental healthcare services. Research reveals that patients who receive online healthcare do not experience declining treatment outcomes compared to patients who receive in-person care. Additionally, patient satisfaction rates were almost identical between those who received online versus in-person mental healthcare services.
The proven efficacy of online healthcare services can give peace of mind to individuals who want therapy but feel uncomfortable meeting their therapist in person. Online care is often easier to fit into busy schedules. It may also be a better fit for those with social anxiety and similar mental health conditions.
Give Online Therapy a Try
If you have been thinking about going to therapy but haven’t worked up the nerve, give online therapy a try. It’s a convenient, discrete, and effective option for those who need long-term mental healthcare support. Whether you live in a remote location or experience social anxiety, online therapy can help you feel more comfortable while improving your mental health.
