Teletherapy for Distance Mental Health Support

/
woman-in-gray-sweater-drinking-coffee-3759089.jpg

During this time of social distancing, protecting your mental health is especially important because our sources of connection are more limited. Whereas before the pandemic, you may have relied on social gatherings, group activities, family events, or unwinding at the end of the week over drinks with friends, you’re now having to adjust those connections to video calls, phone calls, emails and text. Even the change from working at an office and being around the same people daily to working from home is an adjustment that can make us feel more isolated and alone.

If you’ve been experiencing higher levels of stress, anxiety, or depression during this pandemic, you’re not alone. Many people have experienced big life changes including job loss, moving from an office to a work-from-home setting, and taking on the role of childcare provider and teacher. Even some of the seemingly smaller changes such as eating habits, sleeping habits, and being more cautious about our surroundings and hygiene can take a toll on our mental health. Not to mention the mental and emotional toll of the constant news cycle updates about COVID-19.

In addition to the things I’ve mentioned above, surviving a pandemic can increase stresses and anxiety associated with/contributing to:

  • Staying safe at home/isolating from others

  • No/limited human contact

  • Changes in work habits as you transition from working at the office to working from home

  • Job loss or furlough

  • Fear and worry about getting sick or your loved ones getting sick

  • Losing a loved one to illness

  • Changes in eating or sleeping habits

  • Difficulty sleeping or concentrating

  • Trouble with focus and motivation

  • Increased usage of alcohol or other drugs

Taking care of your mental health during a stressful, and for some, even traumatic event like the COVID-19 pandemic is important. Our lives may be on pause, but your mental health shouldn’t be. Which is why I’m offering online teletherapy, or virtual therapy, sessions to all clients.

What is teletherapy/how does it work?

Goode and Shinkle created the following definition of teletherapy:

“Teletherapy is the online delivery of speech, occupational, and mental health therapy services via high-resolution, live video conferencing.”

Virtual Therapy, also referred to as Online Therapy, Teletherapy or E-Therapy, is the process of meeting with a therapist over the phone or a video call rather than in person. These sessions are protected and secure, just as they would be if you were going into an office to meet in person.

One of the nice things about teletherapy is that it offers new ways to connect. You don’t need to participate in traditional in-person therapy sessions to benefit. You don’t even have to be in the same town or city as a therapist to receive help, which opens up therapy to people who may not otherwise have access to mental health resources. 

What are the benefits/How effective is teletherapy?

As always, the effectiveness of therapy depends on the individual and their reasons for seeking therapy. Research suggests that teletherapy has the same emotional support and mental health benefits as traditional in-person therapy.

People who have sought out teletherapy have reported benefits such as decreased depressive thoughts and feelings, as well as decreased stress and anxiety.

Regular connection with someone you can trust can help you work through the thoughts and feelings swirling around in your mind. Plus, it’s nice to have regular connections with someone to look forward to on a weekly basis.

Teletherapy also makes therapy more accessible by removing physical/geographical barriers and providing greater flexibility in session times. Plus, you can participate from the comfort of your own home without having to worry about who you might bump into on the premises where your therapist is.


Don’t let your mental health go unchecked during this pandemic. I encourage you to give a virtual therapy session a try and see how it may benefit and support you.

For more information about my remote teletherapy sessions or to schedule a consultation, please don’t hesitate to Contact Me. I look forward to hearing from you.