No Parking Necessary! Therapists Are Turning To Online Sessions

The newest trend in therapy and counseling sessions is online using Skype or similar video conferencing services. According to an article by Jan Hoffman, New York Times, “Since telepsychiatry was introduced decades ago, video conferencing has been an increasingly accepted way to reach patients in hospitals, prisons, veterans’ health care facilities and rural clinics — all supervised sites.” Now utilizing Skype, CaliforniaLiveVisit.com, BreakThrough.com, and other encrypted third party sites, online therapy is gaining popularity. Breakthrough.com said it has signed up 900 psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and coaches in just two years.

The benefits on online therapy are pretty obvious. Inclement weather, business trips and flat tires are no longer an excuse to miss an appointment. Some therapists even charge less since they don’t have to travel in to their office. Tech savvy teens might prefer an online therapy session to an actual visit, as they can connect from the comfort of their room or cave. And according to Jan Hoffman’s article, some studies show that patient satisfaction with online therapy is pretty much the same as with in person therapy.

“In three years, this will take off like a rocket,” said Eric A. Harris, a lawyer and psychologist who consults with the American Psychological Association Insurance Trust. “Everyone will have real-time audiovisual availability. There will be a group of true believers who will think that being in a room with a client is special and you can’t replicate that by remote involvement. But a lot of people, especially younger clinicians, will feel there is no basis for thinking this. Still, appropriate professional standards will have to be followed.”

There are concerns about online therapy. How should insurance reimburse online therapy? Is the therapist licensed in the state you reside? Are the sessions recorded, and are they hack proof? How effective is therapy going to be for those people being treated for alcohol abuse or for agoraphobics (who may need actually going to the therapist’s office to get them out of their home)? Since by nature of online video conferencing, there is no actual eye contact, many therapists are hesitant.

Regardless of concerns, online therapy continues to gain enthusiasts. Once comedians start dishing something, you know it’s out there in public awareness. On that note, there is a new TV show starring Lisa Kudrow, “Web Therapy,” that started as an online show and moved to cable TV this summer. It pokes fun at 3 minute online therapy sessions. I have seen the show and have to say sometimes it’s pretty funny.

What about you? Are you ready for online therapy? I can see life coaches using this modality since they already mostly utilize telephone sessions, but therapy sessions with a psychiatrist or psychologist seems a bit impersonal. But hey, maybe that’s a good thing. No need to get caught up in a personal relationship with your therapist. What’s your take on this modality? Ready to jump on board?

By: CellPlaza

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