Is a Telehealth Appointment Just As Effective as an In-Person Session?

If having in-person counseling or treatment for your mental health seems like a series of hurdles you’ve added to your mental load, or if getting to appointments poses a logistical or physical challenge, telehealth services could be right for you.

At 2nd Chance Treatment Center, with practice locations in Phoenix and Litchfield Park, Arizona, our team of board-certified psychiatrists provides telehealth services to make getting treatment easier than ever.

Telehealth basics

Telehealth, often used synonymously with telemedicine, is a form of health care you can receive remotely. Each appointment is set up as an audio or video call, letting you talk directly to your mental health professional without having to attend an in-person appointment.

You can meet with your doctor using your smartphone, tablet, or computer. The best news is that a virtual mental health visit is just as good as an in-person one for most people.

Who telehealth is good for

Telehealth is a great option for people who need mental health care. Sometimes the very condition you need treatment for can be what’s keeping you from getting to your doctor’s practice for your appointments. Here are just a few examples of why going to a physical office can be difficult if you’re struggling with mental health:

Hygiene and personal appearance

If getting up, showered, and dressed for the day feels like too much effort, it can keep you from getting to your appointment. With telehealth, you can dress down, and not let a mountain of self-care you’ve been neglecting keep you from meeting with your doctor. Since this is when you need help most, talk to your doctor about these challenges.

Social anxiety or agoraphobia

If you have conditions that make it hard to be around other people or leave your home, a telehealth appointment can give you a chance to work with your doctor on these issues while feeling safe and focused. You won’t be distracted by your fears or anxiety when you’re getting care in the comfort of your own home.

Physical or logistics issues

Some of the top reasons for missing doctor appointments have to do with childcare/family commitments and transportation issues. If you also have a physical disability or are on medications that make it hard for you to drive or catch a bus to your doctor, now they can come virtually to you.

This works for people who don’t have ready access to transportation as well, including those who live in very rural areas, and it’s perfect for people with small children and no childcare access. If you can get on a call or video chat, you can have a telehealth visit no matter what.

Are telehealth visits really as effective as in-person visits?

Telehealth isn’t the right choice for everyone, and some patients and/or doctors may decide that in-person appointments or a hybrid approach is best. However, research shows that you’re likely to have just as effective an experience with telehealth as with in-person appointments, and that a telehealth visit is greatly superior to no visit at all.

The same research shows people who are in a telehealth program with their doctor are more likely to stick with treatment for longer, and to report a higher quality of life. If you’re in need of mental health care but are having trouble making it to your appointments, it’s time to discuss how telehealth might benefit you.

If you want to make a telehealth appointment, please reach out to us. Call the location closest to you, or contact us online to make an appointment today.