It’s a fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has forced some major changes in all of our daily lives, and those changes were abrupt! Often times when we have major life adjustments, these adjustments can be done as a somewhat smooth transition, albeit with an array of emotions. With this pandemic, however, it seemed to take everyone by storm and was a forced transition with no prior warning!
When things are in turmoil and the outcome is unknown, we often find ourselves shifting to a survival mode of gathering resources and information that is necessary to function in this new environment. For some, this means trying to settle into a new routine and the challenges that come with it, such as combating the feeling of social isolation, learning to live with partners, friends, or family members with limited privacy, finding space in the home to be productive while working, or even finding the energy and desire to do day-to-day tasks.
It’s normal to struggle during this time. It’s normal to feel moments of fatigue, frustration, anger, sadness, grief, and anxiety. It’s also okay to reach out to a professional for therapy and counseling. At Mindsy Psychology, our wish for you is to help you find some peace within this chaotic time and to help you adjust to this new normal. That is why we offer Telehealth platforms – so we can support you through these difficult times remotely.
Not familiar with Telehealth?
Telehealth – or teletherapy or e-therapy – is a secure online meeting with a qualified psychologist to assist you with all your mental health therapy needs. Teletherapy is beneficial for a wide range of people with a diverse set of circumstances. In this time of social distancing and shelter-in-place, teletherapy is a viable solution to help you gain professional help from a qualified psychologist.
Do these online therapy sessions work?
As with any therapy session, you need to be willing to be open and honest with your therapist. The only significant difference is that you aren’t in the same room. You can see and hear each other in a real-time session using webcams and headsets. This virtual environment offers a successful way to interact with each other and for your therapist to use the same techniques that would be used in a face-to-face setting.
Will my teletherapy session be effective?
How effective your teletherapy session will really depend, well, on you and your reason for seeking therapy. When you are open and honest with your therapist so that they can help you achieve your mental health goals, teletherapy can be as effective as sitting in a face-to-face session. The relationship between the patient and therapist is a key component in the effectiveness of the treatment.
Are these teletherapy sessions private?
Yes! Therapists are bound by the same ethical and legal privacy laws whether you are sitting across from them or on a telehealth session. Before your session begins, your therapist will ensure that they are in a private and secure setting, and typically sessions are not recorded for any reason, unless discussed with the patient first. It can be argued that it is potentially more private since the patient has no chance of running into other patients they know or potentially bumping into each other on the premises.
At Mindsy Psychology, we utilize specialized software that is fully encrypted to offer the highest level of privacy and security. **Any software that therapists use for telepsychology must be approved by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This is legislation that ensures data privacy and security for safeguarding medical information, including therapy.
How can teletherapy benefit me?
In these uncertain times, teletherapy can have some notable benefits to our clients.
Accessibility – Whether you have anxiety, live with a disability or a compromised immune system, live in a rural area, or just want to practice social distancing, teletherapy can remove those barriers so you can get the help you need.
Greater flexibility – Typically, office visits have limited hours. Telehealth visits offer greater flexibility with times that can fit the patient as well as encourage more people to seek the right support when they need it the most.
Less wait times – Seeking professional help takes courage, and the less time someone has to wait, the more likely they will be to follow through on their appointment and get the help they desire. Also, there are no long waiting times in a waiting room, since your teletherapy session is held in the convenience of your own home.
Decreases anxiety and promotes a safer environment – The process of waiting in a new therapist’s office can be a stressful one. Teletherapy alleviates that anxiety and promotes a safer environment by experiencing the process in the comfort of your own home.
Seeking therapy and investing in the process is a deeply personal and individualized decision. While we have seen very positive outcomes for our telehealth services, it’s not a one-size-fits-all. If you would like to discuss whether this option is a viable one for you or would like to find out more about our services and how we can help you through this time, please give us a call today at 312.761.4747 or book a consultation online. Mindsy Psychology is located at 2202 N Lincoln Avenue, Suite 7, Chicago, IL, 60614.