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Telemental Health

Overview

While telemental health is not a new concept, its use has increased significantly since the COVID19 pandemic. With the rise in social isolation, relationship issues, uncertainty, and panic, mental health has suffered across the globe. Telemental health offers a way for individuals, couples, and families to access the support they need safety and confidentially. At EK Counseling, we are dedicated to the clients we serve, and believe telemental health has always had a place in the treatment of mental health concerns.  

 

What is telemental health anyway?

Telemental health is the process of providing counseling services via a variety of HIPAA-compliant video- and/or text-based platforms. EK Counseling offers confidential video-based counseling services to clients across the state of Colorado, as well as 13 other states including: Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah.

 

Is teletherapy effective?

The short answer is, yes. There is a growing body of research around telemental health that shows a number of benefits from remote counseling despite some of the inherent challenges associated with providing services virtually. For many, having access to mental healthcare from the privacy of their own home or office, and on their own time, has been essential in maintaining their overall wellbeing.   

 

Is teletherapy right for me?

To determine whether teletherapy is right for you, it is important to consider the advantages and drawbacks as well as your specific needs.

Clinical considerations:

  • Chronic and/or acute safety concerns

    • Providers are limited in how they can support you virtually compared to how they would in person. If you struggle with chronic safety concerns, teletherapy may not be the right fit for you. We are happy to provide you with additional resources.

  • Providing services across state lines

    • Although our licensing bodies have loosened their restrictions on services provided across state lines, providers’ ability to work across state lines varies by state. At present, EK Counseling is able to provide services in 14 states as a member of PsyPact. Legislature has been proposed in 14 other states, so please inquire if this is a service of interest to you and we can share more information.

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Some of the advantages to teletherapy include:

  • Increased access to services and often less wait time

  • Flexibility of scheduling

    • Working professionals can fit in a session around your work day

  • Convenience

    • Frequent travelers can take therapy wherever you go!

    • Commuters living in rural areas --EK Counseling serves clients in all four corners of Colorado, the Front Range, and several other states

  • Privacy

    • Great for individuals in professions or careers where privacy is harder to guarantee (e.g., healthcare workers who do not want to run into their therapist at work)

 

Some drawbacks include:

  • Limited auditory and visual cues

  • Finding a private place to have your session while at home or at work

  • Access to stable Internet or Wi-Fi connection (tether to Ethernet when possible)

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