A while back there was a very funny television show starring Lisa Kudrow (ditzy Phoebe from Friends) called “Web Therapy.” It was an improvised show and Lisa played a therapist who treated her patients over the Internet. Hence the title of the show.
Well, back when the show was on, the idea of treating mental health patients via a webcam seemed ludicrous. And the show did a great job at poking fun of Lisa’s character and her “wacky idea” of web therapy.
Fast forward 12 years after the show’s debut, and web therapy is now “a thing” thanks to telehealth technology. Yes, psychotherapy appointments can be held between therapist and patient while one is in one building, state, or country and the other is somewhere else entirely.
The Changing Face of Therapy
Why was web therapy a joke 12 years ago but telehealth is now gaining in popularity? The shift is most likely due to the growing popularity of tech solutions among younger generations. There’s also something very attractive about the ease of telehealth; of not having to leave your house or office to get the help you need.
As younger generations have become accustomed to using apps to have food, beer and groceries delivered right to their door, they expect these same conveniences from their health providers. While it may take a few more years before telehealth becomes truly mainstream, indicators suggest that push is more than likely to happen.
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Benefits of Telehealth and Online Therapy
We’ve already discussed the most obvious benefit of telehealth to consumers, and that is ease. But what about the benefits to the therapists?
To start, telehealth means those people who would otherwise feel too uncomfortable seeking therapy in person will now be open to seeing a therapist “privately.” This means a therapist has a larger number of people to deliver their services.
Also, since these services can be delivered from a home office, a therapist can easily reduce their practice’s operating costs and overhead expenses.
Many therapists are saying the adoption of telehealth should have come sooner. However, support and guidance on telehealth are finally coming from the American Psychological Association (APA) and other psychological organizations.
Therapists Need to Get Ready for the Switch
You can’t expect a therapist who has been treating patients face-to-face for x number of years to suddenly do well sitting in front of their computer’s camera. There are some subtle but important differences in working with patients over electronic connections.
For instance, in person, when a therapist breaks eye contact with a patient to take down a few notes, there is still a connection there because they are still in the same physical space. But over the Internet, when a therapist looks away to take notes, it feels different. It may seem to the patient that the client is distracted. Providers interested in offering telehealth services to their patients will have to keep things like this in mind and always assure they are paying attention.
The APA offers continuing-education workshops on telehealth at its Annual Convention, and several divisions have begun providing training in telehealth as well. Therapists can also find online courses and training offered by the American Telemedicine Association.
No one is laughing any longer at the idea of web therapy. Instead, both consumers and therapists are embracing technology to bring about positive change and outcomes.
Begin Online Therapy in Colorado
It’s no joke. You can start to overcome the pain of the past from the comfort of home. Online therapy works. Our online therapists are equipped to offer support from our Boulder, CO-based counseling practice. We can help you better understand telehealth, and how to make the most of this emerging technology. To start your therapy journey, please follow these simple steps:
- Contact our therapy center
- Request an appointment with our team and learn more
- Begin your journey of personal growth!
Other Services Offered at North Boulder Counseling
We are happy to offer a variety of mental health services from our Boulder, CO-based counseling practice. Our team of professional counselors & therapists offer mental health support for men, women, teens, children, and the LGBTQIA community. More specifically, we are happy to offer an anxiety treatment intensive program, postpartum anxiety treatment, postpartum depression counseling, perinatal support, counseling for women, and parenting coaching. All of these can be offered through online therapy. Other services also include treatment for trauma, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, business coaching, and professional supervision. Feel free to visit our blog to learn more today!
