Telehealth, or telemental health, has been around for years but saw a sharp uptick in popularity in 2020. Telehealth refers to receiving healthcare services via technology. In my practice as a mental health therapist, this means utilizing HIPAA-secure video and audio to meet in real-time. The term “telemental health” refers specifically to receiving mental health services via telehealth technology.
I’m Michelle F. Moseley, LCMHC, a licensed mental health counselor in North Carolina who provides individual and group therapy services via telehealth. I shifted my in-person practice to all telehealth in the spring of 2020 and have continued to offer telehealth services since that time as I’ve seen numerous benefits of telehealth.
So, what are the benefits of telehealth?
You may be used to traveling to an office to meet with a healthcare provider. Once there, you may sit in a room to wait and then be called to another room to actually talk with the provider. This was considered the “normal” way to conduct healthcare appointments for many people prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The call for limited in-person interaction in 2020 quickly turned things toward telehealth, allowing people to continue to meet with their healthcare providers while limiting the potential for exposure to germs.
Since transitioning my therapy practice to all telehealth in April 2020, I have been pleasantly surprised by the many benefits of utilizing telemental health services. Some of these are things that would not have previously crossed my mind.
Overcoming Transportation Issues
All kinds of issues can arise with transportation. There may be limited (or no) access to a vehicle to attend appointments. Unexpected traffic issues can cause folks to miss appointments when they have to travel to them. A person may experience anxiety related to driving and/or parking, which prohibits them from scheduling an appointment.
With telehealth, you can meet from the comfort of your home (or another private location). There is no need for access to a vehicle at a particular time. You don’t have to plan for unexpected traffic conditions. You may even be able to schedule with a therapist to address your anxiety without having to overcome the anxiety first!
Support for Those with Varying Energy Levels
The energy levels of many folks can ebb and flow from day to day. This can include neurodivergent folks, those with chronic illnesses, and those managing depression. An individual may schedule an appointment a week or more out, when they are feeling okay. Then, the day of the appointment arises, and they do not have the energy to prepare for and travel to the appointment. They may be faced with the choice to overextend themselves and attend the appointment or to deal with a fee for a late cancellation.
Telehealth makes therapy more accessible for many folks who experience shifts in energy levels. There is no travel involved, meaning the overall time and energy needed for the appointment is less. They can have access to items that support their comfort – a heating pad, low lighting, comfy clothing, their own restroom, etc. – during their appointment. Depending on their specific situation, the ability to avoid exposure to potential germs and viruses may also be a benefit of attending sessions via telehealth.
Lessening the Impact of Mobility Issues
Mobility issues are another important consideration when ensuring folks can get the services they want and need. Despite best efforts, sometimes therapy offices are located in areas with inaccessible parking, buildings that have only stairs, or places with narrow hallways. These design aspects can hinder someone’s ability to easily access their provider in person.
Because folks are able to meet with a provider from their own space via telehealth, they are able to have access to whatever accommodations they may need. Telehealth also may offer the ability to adjust volume as needed, or even to utilize closed captioning or messaging during sessions.
Pets Can Attend Therapy Too
While some in-person therapy offices may have an animal present in the office, there are very few places where you could bring your own pet to your therapy session. Pets are a source of comfort for many people. There have been multiple times during a telehealth session with clients where a pet would sense their owner’s emotional reaction and come to be near them as we continued the session. A lot of the work I do focuses on various types of complex trauma, and having a pet nearby can be truly supportive and comforting for many folks.
With telehealth, you’re able to have pets present for your sessions. You can pet your dog or hold your cat while taking part in your session. You can even spend time playing with your iguana to help you focus during your appointment. This type of interaction with your own pets is just not possible with in-office visits.
Increased Confidentiality
Not going to an office to wait in a waiting room means that you do not risk being seen by others in the waiting room. There are a multitude of reasons someone may want to avoid being seen in a therapy waiting room. For some, they may be trying therapy for the first time and prefer to not have anyone else know at the moment. Some may have a particular vocational position that could be hindered if someone were to see them in the waiting room and make assumptions about why they are seeing a therapist. Others may be well-known in their area, and prefer to not have the pressure of interaction with others before or after their appointment.
By attending your appointment via telehealth, you are able to avoid any uncomfortable waiting room interactions and maintain a greater sense of confidentiality. You are also able to prepare for your session in whatever way works best for you. You may want to take some deep breaths or jot down some reminders to discuss in session. You can be assured your preparation time won’t be interrupted by anyone, as might occur in a shared waiting room.
Greater Power to Choose Your Provider
Geographic location plays a large role in choosing a therapist when you have to factor in getting to their office. Is the location of the office within a walkable or drivable distance for you? How much time will you have to factor in for travel? What if the only therapist who specializes in your specific concern is 3 hours away?
Telehealth removes some of these barriers and gives clients greater freedom in choosing their provider. Although licensed mental health providers are only able to provide services in states (in the US) where they are licensed, telehealth allows folks the freedom to choose from a variety of providers licensed in their state.
Even with the state licensing restrictions in place, I am able to provide services to anyone in North Carolina. I happen to be located near the center of the state, but let’s say someone in the Boone area is looking for a therapist who works with religious trauma. They find my website and feel that we would be a good fit. With telehealth, as long as they are comfortable with the internet and have access to a strong internet connection, we are able to meet despite being 3-4 hours away from one another geographically. Since much of NC is rural and lacks access to mental health providers, especially providers who specialize in religious trauma, weight-inclusive body image work, or late-identified neurodivergence, having access to my services via telehealth can truly be life-changing.
Telehealth With Me
All telehealth is not the same. There are many large-scale tech companies that market telehealth services. You know the ones – they advertise on your favorite podcast and their profiles are the first ones that pop up in a directory search. (I am intentionally not naming them here because they have huge legal teams and have come after small-scale private practice owners for calling out their unethical practices.)
My private practice is fully owned and operated by me – Michelle F. Moseley, LCMHC. I’m the person you will communicate with from the point you complete a contact form and throughout all your therapy sessions. My first commitment is to being an ethical, trauma-informed therapist who values the autonomy and confidentiality of the folks I work with. Because I do not work with insurance companies and am not bound by big-tech therapy, decisions about your therapy are between you and me. No one else can decide when you can receive therapy or what the limits are on how long you can be engaged with therapy. No one else has access to your records or personal information. If you have questions about the therapy practice or my approach, you can ask me directly and we can discuss it transparently. These are some of the ways that my solo private practice is different than the “big box therapy” options.
Are you considering utilizing telehealth to meet with a mental health provider? If you’re located in NC and feel like my approach may make us a good fit to work together, I would love for you to peruse my website and contact me to schedule a free, 15-20 minute consultation.
Michelle F. Moseley (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in NC (#12491). She believes ALL people deserve respect, compassion, and access to mental and physical healthcare. Michelle specializes in working with survivors of religious trauma, and with those who have body image concerns, finding there is frequent overlap in these areas. She also frequently supports late-identified neurodivergent individuals as they navigate the grief and relief of a new understanding of self. You can learn more about Michelle by visiting her website at MichelleFMoseley.com or following her on Instagram – @therapy_with_michelle
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