Is Telehealth Right For Me? Pros and Cons of Telehealth Therapy

Telehealth therapy has been around for years, however, with recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic the platform has gained a lot of attention. Other factors contributing to the increase in Telehealth therapy include: increased numbers of people working from home, access issues with individuals who live in rural areas, convenience for people who do not have the means or transportation to get to therapy, or for people who prefer to discuss issues in their own comfortable space. Questioning whether or not Telehealth is a good option for you? Here are some basic pros and cons to help you decide:

Advantages of Telehealth:

• Providers who offer Telehealth are often able to accommodate more flexibility in their schedules. They may be more likely to offer therapy during the times of day and days of the week that are most convenient and beneficial for you.
• When participating in Telehealth, you get to have control over choosing where you will do your therapy. Pick a place that is comfortable, safe, convenient and calming to your own liking.
• Telehealth widens access to therapists across the state in which you live in; in our case Minnesota. Some therapists are also licensed to provide Telehealth in more than one state which may be advantageous for people who are planning to relocate and do want to have to start with a new therapist and college students.
• Participating in Telehealth removes transportation barriers. Many people struggle with transportation to get therapy. Drive time can also be a down side of in person therapy that is eliminated with Telehealth.
• Telehealth therapy allows you the opportunity to maintain regular, consistent therapy while traveling either for work or leisure.

Disadvantages of Telehealth:

1. Some people report that they have a hard time finding a place that feels private enough if they live with other people. This can be something that you can talk to your therapist about to see if they have ideas to problem solve through this concern.
2. If you have a hard time maintaining focus while video-chatting or FaceTiming in general, do not like to video-chat or FaceTime, or are not comfortable with the technology of these items, Telehealth may not be the most appropriate option for you.
3. Technology issues, such as loss of internet connection, malfunctioning Telehealth programs, etc can and do happen from time to time. Your therapist and you will make a plan for circumstances when this may happen.
4. Some people report difficulty with Telehealth because non-verbal communication is a very important aspect of communication for them. Hand gestures and facial expressions can be more difficult to catch or interpret over Telehealth.