What is Telehealth?
Telehealth is a generic term that means the provision of health services over the phone, internet, or by video conference. Telehealth can be used for direct 1:1 therapist-client service, for consultation between professionals, or to provide group psychoeducational (teaching) sessions. Telehealth can also be used as a means of conducting training workshops for professionals to brush up on, or add to their skills.
When working with a psychologist, clinical social worker, provisional psychologist, or other mental health professional, Telehealth typically refers to a therapy session done over the phone or by video. Other Telehealth approaches may include therapy focused text messages, emails, discussion forums. Each of these approaches have various pluses and minuses depending on the situation or need.
While direct in person is the optimum form of treatment, Telehealth can be an invaluable option when clients and clinicians cannot meet face to face.
WHEN TO CHOOSE TELEHEALTH?
Telehealth is a good therapy choice in many situations:
The client is suffering from an injury or illness that makes it difficult or unsafe to travel. The client could be immunocompromised due to cancer treatment, or bedridden due to surgery or broken bones. The client may be suffering from psychological issues such as agoraphobia (fear of being outside), severe anxiety around leaving home, and/or some forms of PTSD (where hypervigalence or volatility to triggers is extreme), for example.
The client lives or works some distance from a mental health provider. For example, individuals who live on reserve or in small rural towns, or are working and living in the field are often an hour or more drive to the nearest urban area that might have a mental health therapist.
The client is seeking / requires a specific form of mental health therapy that is not available in their community. Much like a general practitioner or family physician, most psychologists and clinical social workers can treat a wide range of mental health concerns. Sometimes though, specialist treatment is required (roughly the equivalent of needing a cardiologist for a heart condition or a dermatologist for skin concern). Most specialist psychologists and clinical social workers live in more urban areas. These might be experts in treating trauma, sex addiction, highly skills couples therapists and so on.
There is an environmental reason that it is unsafe or not possible for a client to travel to their therapists office even though they may live only a few minutes away. This can occur if, for example, there are poor weather conditions, or if a state of emergency has been declared and travel is restricted.
The client or the clinician is concerned about their safety or wellbeing in engaging in-person therapy. Telehealth therapy is an excellent option during pandemics where people may be contagious and not know it. In this case Telehealth allows therapy to proceed while keeping both parties safe from inadvertently transmitting illness or disease.