He is finding a therapist who feels like the right fit takes time. Houseman recommends sticking it out through two to three sessions, but feel free to try someone new if you’re not feeling the connection.
Research insurance reimbursement and telehealth options; some providers may charge higher rates or be out of your network.
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Look for a Licensed Therapist
Your search for a new therapist should begin with a personal referral from a friend or family member. But if that’s not possible, you can also look at online therapy services, which connect you with a licensed counselor over text or video chat. These platforms offer a streamlined search process with short blurbs from therapists, including their credentials and specialties.
Many online therapy services also allow you to filter by gender, race, age, and other factors that matter to you. For example, some offer online counseling that is geared toward people in the LGBTQ community.
As the accessibility of healthcare services evolves, telehealth mental health counseling emerges as an innovative solution that provides individuals with convenient and remote access to professional mental health support, fostering improved well-being and emotional resilience.”
Another important consideration is cost. Depending on your insurance coverage, you can use a telehealth mental health counselor who’s in-network for your plan, which can lower or even eliminate the cost of your sessions. If you don’t have insurance, consider searching for a therapist on a telehealth platform that accepts your payment method and provides a sliding-scale fee for those without coverage.
Look for Experience
With the rise of telecommunication technology, counselors, social workers, and clinical psychologists increasingly embrace telemental health to serve clients who otherwise lack access. By offering virtual sessions, therapists can save on overhead costs and pass those savings on to their clients through lower rates. This helps to make telemental health services accessible to people living in remote areas, those with limited insurance coverage, and those struggling during periods of local or global crisis.
Determining how much experience your potential therapist has with telehealth counseling is essential before scheduling an appointment. The Professions provides an online directory that allows users to verify the license status of professionals across the state. This can give you peace of mind that your therapist is fully licensed to practice in your state. In addition, you can check whether they have a record of malpractice or disciplinary actions against them.
Look for an Affordable Rate
As online therapy becomes more mainstream, platforms are experimenting with ways to make it more affordable. For instance, telehealth therapists may charge lower fees than their in-person counterparts, and some offer sliding scale rates based on income.
DBT, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy, is an evidence-based approach that has shown effectiveness in addressing various mental health challenges; for instance, DBT for depression is a therapeutic method that combines cognitive-behavioral techniques and mindfulness to help individuals manage and alleviate symptoms of depression.
Some telehealth counseling services also accept insurance, which can cut down on out-of-pocket costs. For example, some offer monthly subscriptions, including weekly live video and text therapy sessions. Some even offer income-based scholarships to offset the cost of online therapy for those who need it most.
You can also use a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to pay for your online counseling, which helps reduce out-of-pocket costs. Be sure to check each platform’s FAQs or terms of service for more pricing information. Some even allow you to pause your subscription when you don’t need it.
Look for a Therapist with a Track Record
A good telehealth mental health counselor should be able to provide you with a detailed treatment plan that addresses your unique needs. They should also be able to answer your questions about the process. During your initial session, the therapist will ask you about your current health status and past mental health history. They will then discuss your goals for therapy and how you would like to see your progress over time.
It would help if you also looked for a licensed therapist to practice in your state. You may check the licensure of any professional, including psychologists and mental health specialists, using this helpful website.
Telehealth provides life-changing counseling services for people who might otherwise go without care. By reducing the cost of overhead and eliminating barriers to service, telehealth can help people living in remote communities and those with little or no insurance coverage gain the support they need.
