Telehealth therapy is therapy held by live video instead of in an office. You meet a licensed therapist from home, and the session follows the same structure as in-person care. Knowing how telehealth is used in therapy, from individual sessions to virtual IOP and family sessions, helps you decide whether it fits your mental health needs.
How is telehealth used in therapy?
Telehealth is the use of technology, such as video conferencing and phone calls, to deliver health care at a distance. In mental health care, it usually means live video calls with a clinician, joined from a phone, tablet or computer. Therapy platforms differ, but most work like a private video meeting that only you and your clinician can join.
How does telehealth therapy work at Enhance?
At Enhance Health Group, every virtual session is live by video with a licensed mental health professional, so you can talk and take part in real time. You can join individual therapy, family therapy, virtual IOP, virtual PHP or outpatient therapy this way. Virtual IOP includes group and individual sessions on several days a week, which gives you more structure than a single weekly call.
Your clinician has to be licensed where you live, so admissions confirms that you can join from your location before you start. Our page on telehealth and virtual mental health services explains each virtual level of care in more detail.
Can group therapy sessions be held through telehealth?
Yes. Group therapy works by video in much the same way it works in a room, with each person on screen and a licensed therapist leading. At Enhance, group therapy is part of virtual IOP, alongside your individual sessions.
Can family members join a telehealth therapy session?
Yes. Family therapy sessions can include parents, partners or other family members by video, when involving them would help your care. That makes it easier for relatives in another city or with a busy schedule to take part.
How do therapists use telehealth between in-person sessions?
Many therapists use telehealth for check-ins between in-person sessions, or to keep care going when someone is sick or away from home. Because Enhance runs the same levels of care in person and by video, you can move between virtual care and in-person sessions without changing providers.
Is telehealth therapy as effective as in-person therapy for addiction treatment?
For many people, it can be. A SAMHSA evidence guide on telehealth for serious mental illness and substance use disorders found that care delivered by video can be effective for many of these conditions. Telehealth is not right for everyone, though, and closer care is needed when drinking or drug use is putting your health at risk. Enhance offers virtual addiction treatment through IOP and outpatient care for drug and alcohol use.
What should you know before your first telehealth session?
What are the benefits of telehealth therapy?
Telehealth removes the drive, the parking and the waiting room, which makes it easier to access care alongside work, school or family responsibilities. People who live far from a program, or who find it hard to leave home, can still access an accredited program. Some people also find it easier to talk openly from a familiar room.
What are the downsides of telehealth therapy?
Telehealth has real challenges. Video can make it harder for a therapist to read body language, and some people feel less connected at first. A weak internet connection can freeze or drop a session, and a crowded home can make privacy hard to find.
Building a therapeutic relationship, meaning the trust between you and your therapist, may feel slower for some people when you have never met in person. Most of these challenges can be eased with a good setup and an honest talk with your therapist about what is not working.
How is privacy protected during a virtual therapy session?
Your clinicians keep what you share confidential, just as they would in an office. You can protect your own privacy too, by joining from a private room, wearing headphones and avoiding public Wi-Fi when you can. If someone walks in, you can pause the session until you are alone again.
How should you prepare for your first telehealth therapy session?
- Use a phone, tablet or computer with a camera, and check that it is charged.
- Make sure you have a reliable internet connection before the session starts.
- Find a private, quiet place where you can talk without being overheard.
- Open the link a few minutes early to test your sound and video.
- Agree on a backup plan with your therapist, such as a phone number to call if the video drops.
- Write down a few things you want to talk about, so nothing important gets lost.
What should you expect during a telehealth therapy session?
Your first session usually covers why you are seeking help, your history and your goals, much like an in-person assessment. Later sessions follow your treatment plan, and your therapist may share worksheets or practice skills with you on screen. You can ask questions, take notes and end the session with a clear plan for the week.
What happens if my internet connection drops during a session?
Try to rejoin the same link first, and if that fails, use the backup plan you agreed on, such as a phone call. Tell your therapist if drops keep happening, because a different device, room or time of day may solve the problem.
Is telehealth therapy appropriate during a mental health crisis?
No, because telehealth is for scheduled care, not emergencies. If you are thinking about suicide or are in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or you think someone has overdosed, call 911.
When might in-person care be recommended instead of telehealth?
In-person care may fit better when home is not a safe or private place, or when you need more support than video can give. It is also the better choice when drinking or drug use needs closer care. Your clinical team can move you to in-person PHP or to inpatient care if your needs change.
Does insurance cover telehealth therapy the same as in-person sessions?
Coverage depends on your plan, including your deductible, your copay and the level of care your insurer approves. Admissions checks your insurance benefits for virtual care before you start, and verification is not a guarantee of coverage.
If you want to try therapy by video, call our admissions team at (714) 862-1907. They can confirm that you can join from where you live, explain the virtual options and check your insurance first.
