We love telehealth and we think you will, too. We want every person to make their own decision regarding the type of mental health treatment they pursue. After all, accessing therapy is a personalized choice and we support all decisions that are right for you. But for those who are curious about telehealth and want to learn some of our favorite reasons why telehealth can be so appealing, here are 21 reasons why we love it! This is a non-exhaustive list below.
1. NO DRIVING. Telehealth is perfect for those without the ability to drive, those who need to share a vehicle, or those with road-related anxiety.
2. SAVE TIME. No need to account for any travel time to and from an office. Squeeze in therapy appointments that fit into your schedule without wasting unnecessary time.
3. SAVE ENERGY. Leaving the house is tiring, especially for those with daytime fatigue due to a physical health condition or mental health concern. Depression may cause difficulty with tasks like showering, grooming, or going out. Difficulty sleeping also causes fatigue. With telehealth, no need to worry about going out, becoming drained, or dealing with hassle. Skip the stress. As long as you are clothed, we never judge what you are wearing or if your hair is brushed.
4. SAVE MONEY. No need to spend money on gas, city parking, or public transit. No need to pay for a babysitter or companion to stay with care-dependent loved ones because you can stay home with them. People who travel to offices are also more likely to spend money before or after sessions, like at Starbucks on the way or eating meals out. Telehealth eliminates these “on the drive” spending tendencies.
5. NO WAITING ROOMS. Many people hate waiting rooms and become annoyed, frustrated, bored, or antsy. It’s hard not knowing how long you have to wait, potentially sitting in uncomfortable furniture, worrying about wasting time, or feeling alone, disconnected from things that bring you comfort.
6. MORE SESSION AVAILABILITY. Telehealth allows therapists to offer appointments more conveniently, widening their availability. Most therapists working at traditional offices are not able to change their availability because the rest of their life operates around hours at the office. With telehealth, therapists can often accommodate more people.
7. LESS LIKELY TO SHOW UP LATE. No risks for running into traffic, road construction, or other travel barriers that could make you late for your appointments.
8. GREATER ACCESS TO SPECIALISTS. Your mental health should never be compromised due to a lack of specialists where you live. Telehealth expands your treatment options to all online providers located anywhere in your state.
9. LESS ANXIETY. Many people struggle with social anxiety when checking in with front office staff, waiting with other patients, and anticipating a therapist to appear and signal that it is time to walk back to their office. With telehealth, these anxiety-triggering interactions are eliminated.
10. FLEXIBLE DURING SCHOOL OR WORK. Many people have telehealth appointments during school or work. Teachers and employers are recognizing the importance of mental health and realize that maintaining wellness improves performance and capacity to thrive.
11. NO ISSUES RELATED TO BAD WEATHER. With telehealth, weather is irrelevant.
12. NO ONE WILL SEE YOU GOING TO A PSYCHOLOGY CLINIC. Commuting to therapy means it is possible that you could run into someone you know and be asked why you are going to a mental health clinic. Telehealth eliminates this risk.
13. NO NEED FOR A BABYSITTER OR CAREGIVER / COMPANION. No need to get a babysitter for your children or a caregiver / companion to stay with an elder or person with a disability needing assistance. You can stay home with your loved ones while you engage in your therapy session.
14. NO EXPOSURE TO OFFICE GERMS. Telehealth eliminates all risk for spreading germs during therapy, meaning you will be kept safer and less likely to become sick. Plus, with access to the comforts of home (blankets, tea, humidifier, etc.), you might be able to meet with your therapist for an important session even if you’re feeling a bit under the weather.
15. DO THERAPY WITH YOUR FAVORITE COMFORT ITEMS. Grab a favorite pillow, stuffed animal, cozy blanket, twinkle lights, candles, or any other personal comfort items. Need low-lighting or a bright-lit space? Your choice! Want to stay in pajamas? Totally fine – we never judge.
16. GET COZY WITH YOUR PETS. Pets are extremely comforting. It’s not always possible to bring a pet to a therapy office. With telehealth, there’s no need to worry about restrictions.
17. YOU CAN SWITCH UP YOUR SESSION LOCATIONS. Whether you sit at your kitchen table, lounge in bed, or climb into a self-made fort in your living room, all options work.
18. BUILD TRUST BY SHARING YOUR ENVIRONMENT. Many people enjoy sharing their personal environment on screen. It helps to feel “seen” and “understood,” building stronger trust. For those with interpersonal struggles, this can be especially therapeutic. Kids and teens also benefit from “showing their space” to their therapists via telehealth. They might enjoy showing their bedroom decorations, pictures or posters, school projects, prized possessions, Christmas trees, Halloween pumpkins, and more.
19. SCREEN-SHARE + ONLINE TOOLS. Technology allows ideas to come to life. Imagine wanting to show your therapist a picture from a special event. Maybe you’ll want to share a song that got you through one of the darkest times in your life. You might want to share a short video clip about your dream goal. Your therapist may utilize screen-share to show a visual when explaining a therapeutic concept or maybe they will pull up a website about a helpful resource. Online tools allow for a highly interactive experience.
20. MORE NATURAL TO THOSE HOOKED ON TECHNOLOGY. Young generations are more skilled in electronic devices today than ever before. They have grown up feeling comfortable on screen. It’s their world, their knowledge base, and their digital playground. When therapists meet tech-savvy people on screen, it’s comparable to stepping out of a foreign role and truly shifting gears to speak the language of the patient.
21. EASIER TO INCLUDE A FAMILY MEMBER OR PARTNER. With online therapy, it’s easy to ask a family member or partner to join your therapy session if the need arises. Simply ask your therapist for a secure video link that can be shared with the joining member.
Let us know why YOU love telehealth! We love feedback and would love to talk about how telehealth fits into your life!
Written by Lauren Presutti
