Here’s one word you might have heard a lot lately: telemedicine. As Covid-19 continues to change the way we access healthcare, more and more people are turning to teletherapy. So what is teletherapy — and how can it help?

What is teletherapy?
Online counseling, behavioral telehealth… you’ve probably heard it called a few different things. But let’s start with the basics. Teletherapy is one-on-one treatment provided by a licensed professional via a live, audio-visual connection over the internet. It’s just like FaceTiming or Skyping but through a HIPAA-compliant platform.

Online therapy is very much the same as in-person therapy, except you will be meeting with your therapist via video rather than in person. Remote therapy sessions offer the same effectiveness of face-to-face therapy with the ease of having your appointments at home.

How does teletherapy work?
Virtual therapy sessions work just like in-person sessions. A qualified, licensed therapist will guide you through the same treatment goals as in-person therapy — but through the use of electronic devices. During your initial counseling intake, your therapist will explore what brings you to counseling, what you hope to gain from your sessions, and information about your history.

Just like in-person therapy, online counseling offers practical assistance, support, compassion, a different perspective, new strategies, and coping skills so you can make deep and lasting changes in your life.

At Be Well Counseling, we understand sometimes it’s hard to go to therapy — period. Scheduling around family conflicts. Taking time off work. And when you don’t feel great, it can be hard to get going anywhere. Virtual appointments make it easy to do therapy from where you’re most comfortable: home.

Is teletherapy effective?
Absolutely! In fact, research shows teletherapy is just as effective as in-person therapy, with the added benefit of being able to do it from anywhere. Remote sessions are totally private, and therapists deliver help for everything from managing daily stress, family problems, and troubles at work to support for anxiety, depression, panic disorders, and anything else traditionally covered by in-person therapy.

Continuing therapy is even more important now than ever, because disruption, uncertainty, and change have a big impact on our stress and ability to cope with life’s challenges. Virtual appointments offer help you can turn to when you’re going through a hard time — without ever having to step foot in a waiting room.

What are the benefits of teletherapy for women?
According to the Office on Women’s Health, more than 1 in 5 women in the United States experienced a mental health condition in the past year, such as depression or anxiety — and many mental health conditions, such as depression and bipolar disorder, affect more women than men or affect women in different ways from men.

At Be Well, we specialize in helping women express, explore, and heal what’s holding them back from being whole — post-partum and family issues, career concerns, seasonal depression, stress from caregiving, and more — including specialized support for moms and understanding of issues that especially impact women of color.

Sometimes life can feel overwhelming. We make virtual therapy appointments easy to book around work and busy schedules, so you have consistency and support when you need it.

How can I schedule an appointment with Be Well Counseling?
Be Well Counseling provides a team of professional, well-trained doctors and therapists dedicated to your well-being. Our wide range of expertise and training enables us to help you find the most effective solutions to your problems. We assist individuals, couples, and families at all stages of life from birth to senior citizens.

Make your appointment now to get started with a qualified therapist, or contact us to find out more.