5 High-Quality Tips to Level Up Your Teletherapy Services

The future of online therapy looks bright—and convenient! 

For patients and clinicians alike, the growing need and availability of online therapy – also called teletherapy – could save time, money, and lives.

Teletherapy was already beginning to show up in the world of therapeutic interventions even before COVID-19. As with many things, the pandemic accelerated the need to provide these services in a safe, secure, and accessible way. More healthcare providers invested in their options, and teletherapy continues to be a popular way for many to schedule and access support around the world.

For remote and rural communities, the increase in teletherapy accessibility has also helped more people gain regular access to specialists across different areas of health. 

You might already be offering these services or be looking for new ways to grow your professional outreach through teletherapy. In this blog, I wanted to explore teletherapy in more detail and offer some key tips I’ve learned along the way.

Is Teletherapy as Effective as Traditional Therapy?

Since it has become more popular, many people – clients and clinicians alike – have been asking whether the level of service and care provided through teletherapy is as effective as traditional, in-person therapy.

Overall, the research does suggest that teletherapy provides the same quality of care as face-to-face therapy.

Surveys show that in general, clients are receptive to online treatment. It requires no driving to an appointment, no searching for a parking space, no worries about childcare while they’re away, no need to switch providers if they move, and no problem if the specialist happens to be far away. 

In an increasingly digital world where much of what we do takes place online, it makes sense that people are also comfortable seeking therapy online.

What Does it Mean for Immigration Evaluations?

Many therapists have conducted immigration psychological evaluations in states where they are not licensed without issue. It’s entirely possible, and sometimes immigration lawyers promote this practice – especially if they need a therapist who speaks a particular language but who may live in a different state.

As Immigration evaluations are part of federal cases, many clinicians believe they are not bound to state lines, especially when conducting teletherapy. One thing we need to be aware of when conducting evaluations via teletherapy is the different requirements of different states. 

For this reason, it’s essential to ensure you comply with your state’s board regulations – including those that govern what other states you can practice in (even digitally).

PSYPACT is an excellent way to ensure you’re covered to work in alternative states. Some of you might already be aware of PSYPACT, but just in case:

• PSYPACT allows psychologists to practice in states other than those they’re registered in.
  
• PSYPACT currently has 31 effective states registered as part of their membership, so when you register with PSYPACT, you can effectively practice in those 31 states.
  
• Before registering, you must hold a license in at least one of the current PSYPACT states.

5 High-Quality Tips to Level-Up Your Teletherapy Services

Teletherapy might still be in its infancy (compared with in-person services), but there’s already been lots of research and best practice guidance available to help us all maximize the ways we utilize this form of therapeutic support.

Below, I’ve outlined some easy ways to create a positive patient experience through online therapy:

1. Check your technology: Check the quality of your webcam and microphone to ensure a smooth, accessible experience. You can conduct a test call with a friend or colleague and ask them to provide feedback on how the meeting looks and sounds. A headset is a great way to reduce background noise and provide a clear vocal experience with a closed microphone. And, of course, you should verify that your internet and wireless quality are adequate and that you have a backup in case they go down.
   
2. Get comfortable with the format: One tricky thing with virtual video is making appropriate eye contact – cameras can be off-centered, and it’s easy to get distracted. The key to making it look natural is ensuring the webcam is in the right place—at your eye level. It’s also a good idea to practice your facial expressions in front of the camera (some web packages flip the image so it can look odd and be distracting if you’re not used to it!).
   
3. Check your surroundings: Your clients want to know they’re engaging with you in a safe, private space, so ensuring you provide this visually with your surroundings is important. Work from a closed office and keep backgrounds neutral where possible – you could use the blur function if needed, but this can be distracting for some. Work from a room with natural light where possible to reduce glare and ensure others in your home know you are taking private calls so they don’t accidentally walk in.
   
4. Informed consent and confidentiality: Aside from ensuring that the client is aware of the risks and benefits of teletherapy, clinicians must also obtain informed consent and ensure that clients have adequate mental capacity before engaging in therapy using any form of communication other than traditional face-to-face sessions.
   
5. Don’t leave your self-care behind: A significant part of self-care is maintaining good boundaries inside and outside client sessions. Establishing a clear line between work and personal time is important. And have plenty of time between each scheduled client to make notes, decompress, and stretch your legs.

What Does the Future Hold for Teletherapy?

Advances in technology can drastically improve how we perform even the most routine tasks. In recent years, these advances have revolutionized several industries, including mental health care.

Undoubtedly, the use of technologies to support, enhance and extend mental health practice will continue to evolve. We should all be aware and ready to adapt when the need arises. As clinicians, if we fail to take advantage of available technologies, we risk falling behind the competition and failing to meet mental health best practices requirements.

As immigration evaluation professionals, teletherapy provides a significant platform to utilize our skillsets and support more people than ever. It’s one well worth investing in.