Teletherapy

In today’s world, it’s no surprise that people are seeking phone and video conferencing for their therapy. Most people are very happy with it, and for good reason. The main one being because of COVID-19. We have all seen the shift in teletherapy. No one could have predicted we would be in this situation, yet here we are. We are all adapting to this new normal as best as we can. The uncertainty of all of this has many people more anxious or depressed than ever. This is a huge stressor and people are having trouble coping in their usual manner.

You may feel that teletherapy is foreign to you. Others had done sessions by phone or video prior to the pandemic. So if you are struggling, help is available.

Benefits of teletherapy

Comfort of your own home

One major benefit of teletherapy is that you get to do it in the comfort of your own home. No need to rush out and go anywhere. If you want you can basically roll out of bed and get therapy. No one else but your therapist will see you, so there is no need to get dressed in anything special, shower, do your hair or put on makeup.

Supported by research

There is 20 years of research on this topic according to positivepsychology.com. It has been shown to be effective for depression (Wagner, Horn, and Maercker, 2013). Other studies with veterans with PTSD show that teletherapy has similar results as in person therapy (Acierno et al., 2014). It is also effective with Bulimia Nervosa (Mitchell et al, 2008). These are just a few key studies. There are many more.

No need to battle traffic

This seems to be more of an issue with my office in Bellaire. If there is an accident on the 610 Loop, then it can affect your ability to get to your appointment on time. Plus, traffic is just a hassle. It also saves you time in your day.

Stay safe

With the cases of COVID-19 increasing in Houston, there is no need to add risk. I can’t imagine as a client that you would feel comfortable in a waiting room where you aren’t 6 feet apart from others. As you have seen around the city, some people wear masks and others don’t.

No need to wear a mask

The recommendation is that if you are going to be less than 6 feet apart you should be wearing a mask. In addition, the longer you are in the room with someone, the greater the chance of exposure. Businesses are requiring people to wear masks because of the uptick of cases in Houston.

Easier access

Perhaps you live in a remote area and are not able to find a therapist near you. I am licensed to practice in the state of TX. So I can work with you wherever you live in TX. In addition, if you have some sort of disability that makes travel or walking difficult, this is a perfect format for you.

Greater privacy

Unfortunately there is still a stigma around mental health. Some people fear that they will run into someone they know while in the office. With teletherapy, you don’t need to leave the privacy of your own home. You don’t have to worry about seeing someone and worrying others will find out.

As you can see there are many benefits to telepsychology. However it may not be for everyone, based on what is going on with you. During COVID-19, I will be conducting all my sessions via telepsychology. If this is something you are interested in, please give me a call at 713-304-6554.

Take care,

Debbie