What is telemental health and how can telemental health providers help you?

What is telemental health?

Telemental health is the provision of remote mental health services usually by a secure video and audio platform. Telemental health is also commonly referred to as online counselling, cyber counselling, online therapy, e-therapy and telebehavioural health.

Professionals who offer telemental health often include psychologists, counsellors, psychiatrists, family therapists and social workers.

Research has shown that telemental health services are just as effective as traditional face-to-face therapy. Telemental health also comes with added benefits. These include there being no need to travel or to book time off from other commitments. It is also much more flexible.

Before deciding on if telemental health is right for you, it is important to consider your needs. Only you know if this type of therapy is right for you and there is no one-size-fits-all approach for accessing mental health support. Although telemental health has many benefits, if you have severe mental health issues then a more hands-on approach may be more beneficial for you. If this is the case then telemental health may not be the best option for you. It may also be helpful for you to have access to a local support network in the case of an emergency or a crisis. This could be your GP, another professional, a friend, or a family member.

Telemental health services

There is a shortage of mental health professionals in the UK. Even though it is estimated that one in four adults experience mental health issues. Due to this, telemental health services play an important role in supporting individuals with mental health concerns.

People of all ages in a wide range of situations can access telemental health technology. Telemental health companies, such as Psychologyhelp, can offer you a range of support. This includes psychological assessments and treatments, risk assessments and Mental Health Act assessments.

The best telemental health companies should provide for your needs and ensure that the organisation’s therapists are suitably qualified. This includes being experienced and a good fit for you and your circumstances. They should also provide you with therapy through a safe and secure platform. This includes all of the protection that traditional face-to-face therapy offers such as having adequate security measures in place to protect sensitive information. Such as being compliant with the Data Protection Act 2018 and related General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) policies and procedures.

If you’re considering therapy through telemental health providers, the best services will ask you to make sure that you have a secure phone line or internet connection. Along with having a private space in which to talk to your therapist in. This is to protect your privacy and confidentiality.

Are telemental health services effective?

Research has shown that telemental health has had more high-quality controlled trials with positive results than any other telehealth service. It has also shown that telemental health services are useful in reducing inpatient care for individuals with mental health problems. This gives proof that using telemental health services and treatment is just as effective for you as traditional in-office services.

Studies researching telemental health on symptoms of depression have also found highly positive outcomes. Improvements were also found for individuals with co-occurring conditions, such as cardiovascular illness, COPD, and diabetes.

Telemental health services also come with added benefits than traditional therapy. These benefits include it being more flexible, allowing you to fit appointments around your schedule and availability. It is also much more cost effective due to you not needing to travel or to book time off from other commitments such as work. The positive effects of telemental health on adults in low-income households have also been shown to be sustained significantly longer than those attending in-office therapy settings.

How can telemental health providers help you?

People seek support from telemental health providers for a variety of reasons. These include wanting general support during a hard time or for help during stressful and unexpected changes in life such as a bereavement. You can also seek support for more long-term specific psychological issues.

Professionals also state that some people prefer telemental health services to in-person therapy. These include people who have PTSD, who have experienced abuse, and children and adolescents. This could be because many people have reported that they feel less vulnerable with a video connection than attending therapy in-person. Telemental health is also much more practical for people living in remote rural areas and forensic institutions due to not needing to travel. This greatly benefits you if you have disabilities, can’t drive, or find it difficult to leave the house.

Many people also find it much more comfortable to speak to a therapist in their own home, and feel that it provides greater confidentiality. This may be because you do not have to worry about seeing people you know when you enter or leave a therapist’s office. People who are in abusive relationships who want to receive therapy without their partner knowing may also find telemental health easier to attend.

How to get started with Psychologyhelp

At Psychologyhelp, you can speak with a therapist online within 24 hours of sending your request. Responses to completed forms on the website and initial emails are likely to be replied to faster than this.

An important first step is to find a therapist that is right for you. This includes making sure that the therapist is suitably licensed and qualified. Along with considerable experience in the area that you need help with. You can get in contact with a few therapists that you’re considering and ask them to provide you with that information. This is so that you’re able to decide on one therapist who feels the best fit for you and your experiences.

At Psychologyhelp, we will always match you with a qualified therapist who specialises in the issue that you’re experiencing. This is so you know that you’re receiving the best therapy possible. Some of the areas that our therapists have experience in include: Anxiety, negativity and depression, stress, low self-esteem, trauma, bereavement and PTSD.