As not-for-profit virtual clinics become more prevalent and accessible, some clinicians have begun to question their use. There is a growing concern that the dominant medical model – a non-specialist clinician who visits patients in person for an initial consultation and then uses remote checks by phone to provide ongoing monitoring and support – may be unsound. It has been even argued that remote contact is detrimental or harmful to patients (Abdul-Ghani 2002; Ahmed et al. 2005; O’Donohue et al. 2008). This growing criticism of remote therapy is based on the belief that it perpetuates a “democratizing” trend in which young people without resources develop an expectation of 24/7 availability from their therapists and then become dissatisfied when these services are compromised or unavailable due to factors such as workload, infrastructure issues, or bureaucratic hurdles (Al-Lazikhi 1997).
With the introduction of COVID-19 and its focus on evidence-based treatments, psychotherapy practice has changed overnight from in-person to "virtual" remote teletherapy. Evidence-based treatments have become the norm, and therapists must consider them when making therapy decisions.
The discipline of psychotherapy has suddenly altered because of COVID-19, going from in-person to "virtual," distant teletherapy. Psychotherapy practice will likely be impacted in the long-term way by this change. Due to legislated "social distance," what had previously been largely a supplementary therapy method for patients in geographically remote places without access to in-person care has now become the norm in mental health care. Traditional telephones, cell phones, therapy-related applications, Internet video conversations on HIPAA-compliant platforms (like Zoom), or online computer-mediated treatment programs can all be used for teletherapy. Without a doubt, patient access to physicians is preferable to none at all, and for human interaction, phone or video treatment appears to be superior to more detached media like texting.
Sessions conducted online using various platforms, such as Zoom, are referred to as remote counseling or online counseling treatment. It is a handy and adaptable approach to getting frequent assistance and psychological counseling at a time and place that works for you. It is a substitute that has gained popularity during the past few years. The main difference between remote counseling and typical face-to-face treatment is that the latter takes place over the phone.
Major types of remove therapy are −
Teletherapy − A broad range of online mental health treatment techniques, such as classical psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapy, and psychodynamic therapy, are together referred to as "teletherapy." Instead of taking place in face-to-face meetings, these therapies are delivered through technology. It is possible to deliver counseling services (like psychotherapy) via different websites or video conferencing tools like Skype, FaceTime, and Zoom. In addition to or instead of traditional face-to-face conversation therapy, teletherapy is an option. This alternative has been accessible for more than three decades, and each year more and more evidence of its dependability and validity emerges.
A variety of mental health conditions, including anxiety and associated disorders, depression, eating disorders, addiction, sleep problems, trauma, and more, can be treated through teletherapy. 2,3,4,5 Similar to in-person talk therapy, teletherapy sessions often take place once a week and last an hour or so.
Therapy Session with Smartphone Application − The use of smartphone applications to deliver treatment is another type of online mental health care, comparable to teletherapy. You can simply integrate these applications into your daily routine with little effort. This kind of app allows users to input information about themselves, and the app will then pair them with therapists who are a good fit. Weekly individual treatment sessions through apps are the norm, but, if necessary, a professional is frequently accessible at any time, day or night. Emails, video chats, and instant messaging are all acceptable forms of communication.
Online Support groups − Teletherapy and smartphone apps function differently than online support groups. Support groups provide a venue for anyone looking to form a network or support system with others from similar backgrounds (e.g., sexuality, gender identity, race, or mental health struggles). Professional counselors may or may not attend certain groups, some of which may be more regimented than others. They serve as forums for people to discuss their experiences with others, both unique and similar.
Online support community members are often available via message at any hour of the day or night.
It includes −
Accessibility − There may be several physical obstacles to attending treatment. You may, for instance, reside in a rural location. Or you depend on friends and relatives to go about it since you don't have access to reliable transportation. Technology has made it possible for anybody, regardless of mobility concerns, to gain from therapy.
Affordability − The administrative expenditures of a physical site are greatly reduced by teletherapy, enabling therapists to provide more economical treatment choices. Also, keep in mind that attending a teletherapy session is free of charge.
Convenience − You may arrange your sessions using remote treatment so that they work with your schedule. They may be planned around your job and family commitments.
Privacy − Concerned that your co-worker could run into them at the therapist's office? Your whole anonymity is guaranteed with teletherapy. You may plan your workouts for times when you're by yourself at home.
When a person cannot or should not leave their house, like in the COVID-19 epidemic, remote therapy is a fantastic choice. As with any other kind of treatment, it is crucial to verify the provider's qualifications, create clear objectives, offer feedback on how well it is working, and change providers if the course of action is not working.
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