Why Telehealth?

If you’ve had a doctor’s appointment in the past 2 years, likely at least one of them was via telehealth. In the spring of 2020, it became necessary for the continuity of care for both physical and mental illnesses, that health care providers be able to treat patients without being in the same room with them. Like many other providers, I was forced in the early days of COVID to transition my practice to telehealth. While COVID is certainly still a concern, many practitioners have transitioned back to in-person appointments. Why have I chosen to continue seeing clients via telehealth? Here are a few reasons: 

Flexibility. Being able to attend an appointment on a phone or computer gives clients a lot more flexibility. Appointments can be completed on your lunch break or while the kids are napping. Inclement weather, childcare issues, and transportation issues are not as derailing when attending appointments via telehealth.

Comfort. There is something about being in your own space that has brought a new dimension to therapy. I have found that clients are more likely to keep appointments, quicker to open up, and are overall seeing the same (in many cases BETTER) results when engaging in treatment via telehealth.

Safety. While we are making strides every day to combat COVID – many businesses are still having to shut down/cancel appointments when a staff member has been in contact with the virus. Many clients are also uncomfortable attending appointments in person. Telehealth eliminates this dilemma. Clinicians can still see clients and clients can keep appointments even when having to quarantine.

Quality. Conducting therapy via telehealth has forced me to seek more education and hone my skills. I don’t want to simply be a clinician who happens to offer services via telehealth. I desire to be a clinician who has intentionally chosen telehealth and offers my clients the best possible therapy in that setting.