What Is Teletherapy? How to Become a Teletherapist

Therapy can be a vital part of a person’s mental health and wellness routine.

Teletherapy provides the same mental healthcare as traditional therapy, but it does not require a client to receive treatment in person. Instead, a person can engage in speech, behavioral and mental, occupational, or other types of teletherapy through the phone, videoconferencing, chat or instant messaging, email, or mobile applications or apps that connect clients with professionals.

Telehealth counseling and therapy can serve as a cost-effective alternative to in-office visits, and research suggests it provides as much benefit as in-person methods.

Are you interested in how you can enter the field of teletherapy? Continue reading to learn what teletherapists do and how to join this field.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Teletherapists perform duties similar to those of therapists in office settings, helping clients discuss their experiences and feelings, referring people to other specialists and services, and maintaining confidential patient files. Whether working with clients face-to-face or through a computer screen, these professionals must maintain state-mandated licensure relevant to their specialty.

Because teletherapy sessions can seem less personal than in-office visits, teletherapists must build certain skills — such as active listening, sensitivity to clients’ needs, and adaptability — to maintain an interpersonal connection and provide quality care. These professionals must also possess organizational skills to stay up-to-date with required paperwork and retrieve files at a moment’s notice.

The future of teletherapy looks promising. The demand for telehealth therapists will likely grow because the existence of more virtual professionals increases access to mental healthcare, offers clients more privacy, and provides greater scheduling flexibility for patients and providers.

A professional learning how to become a teletherapist might need to fulfill more technical requirements like updating computer equipment, using password-protected platforms to comply with HIPAA, and limiting technological problems during sessions. Otherwise, teletherapists must comply with state regulations regarding training and licensing, depending on their specific occupation.

Behavioral therapists help clients address and cope with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health and behavioral conditions. During sessions, they often encourage clients to discuss their emotions and examine their responses to significant life events or changes. They also help people develop coping strategies, and they might need to refer some individuals to mental health specialists or inpatient treatment centers.

Occupational therapists work with injured patients or people with disabilities to help them carry out everyday activities. These professionals receive training to guide clients through recovery or help them improve the skills they need for daily living and working. Some professionals help patients with disabilities adapt their workspaces to maintain functions and productivity. Therapists also instruct clients in using leg braces, crutches, and other adaptive equipment.

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) or speech therapists diagnose and treat speech and swallowing disorders in children and adults. These professionals assess the difficulty their clients experience with speech, swallowing, and language and recommend treatment options. They also assist patients with oral and written language and help them improve their communication skills.

Teletherapy is therapy, mental healthcare, or counseling provided via online or virtual methods. Clients can access treatment through video conferencing, the phone, instant messaging, or a mobile application. Research suggests that teletherapy provides about the same quality of care as traditional approaches, especially when therapists employ cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). While some individuals need to resort to teletherapy because of geographic limitations or safety precautions, others choose this form of care because of the convenience and flexibility it often provides.

State licensing requirements vary, but most mandate that therapists possess a license in the state where they provide care. This regulation also applies to professionals offering teletherapy. More specifically, therapists can only treat clients who live in the state in which they practice. Mental health professionals should check their states’ rules and ethics standards on this and other issues regarding mental health care provision.

Establishing a successful teletherapy practice requires knowing the steps to take, including registering your business and acquiring a license according to state regulations.

Another crucial step includes choosing a teletherapy platform, considering factors like video quality, security, and technological stability. Launching a practice also involves effective marketing strategies like using online business listings, posting on social media, establishing a user-friendly website, and engaging in professional networking.

Instead of setting up their own practice, some professionals join teletherapy companies that take care of some paperwork and business-oriented functions.