A New Mood Therapy

There is an emerging area of healthcare practice called Mental Health Teletherapy. Although the vast majority of mental health professionals to work in the traditional psychopharmacology clinics and hospitals, there are many other private psychiatrists who are opening their practices to include teletherapy sessions. This has been particularly effective for people suffering from anxiety disorders, panic attacks, depression, social phobia, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder and other similar conditions. Many of these patients have had their lives transformed thanks to professional counseling and therapy, but may not live in local communities or may be too far away to receive care locally.

There are several different types of mental health teletherapy available. The two most common are adapted psychotherapy and group therapy. Licensed therapist health therapy providers who practice in this area will often offer web-based therapy either on-site or by using a specialized software program. Most reputable licensed teletherapists offer secure online treatment through encrypted internet connections, which allow clients to get the same high levels of personal care from remote locations, without a drop in quality or frequency of treatment.

Teletherapists offering mental health teletherapy services can provide the same personalized care as licensed therapists but can also provide therapy services in a group setting. A primary benefit of this is that therapists can "diagnose" various conditions much more quickly and can work with patients on self-help programs. Many therapists who practice in this area are trained in traditional behavioral therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal skills therapy, and supportive therapies. In addition, many telehealth providers have specialty training in areas such as anxiety disorders, panic attacks, alcoholism or drug addiction, obsessive compulsive disorders, autism, and schizophrenia.

While licensed therapists may provide in-person therapy, online therapy can be completed simultaneously with the online video sessions. Because of this, online therapy is also often considered a more effective mental health therapy option, particularly for conditions that do not respond well to in-person treatment. Online therapy has also been shown to have a much higher success rate than in-person therapy when treating conditions like bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, and major depression. These success rates are especially encouraging, since many people who suffer these conditions may not receive any other types of mental health care, let alone psychotherapy.

In some cases, teleotherapists will serve as psychotherapists. In this instance, they focus on the specific needs of the client and help them combat their mental health challenges, whether it's a problem with alcohol or drug abuse, or phobias or obsessive compulsive disorder. Psychotherapists who specialize in mental health teletherapy often have years of experience working with a range of clients. For this reason, many of them are highly skilled at helping patients overcome their issues and improve their mental health. It is these professionals who may offer you in-person counseling, or be able to recommend therapists who can.

Online therapy is an excellent choice if you are trying to avoid spending a great deal of time and money going in-person for professional therapy. While it is perfectly acceptable to take advantage of this affordable option, it's important to remember that there is no substitute for the in-person experience of qualified mental health professionals. After all, this type of in-person therapy can only be as effective as its practitioners. If you are interested in availing of teletherapy services, make sure you find a qualified professional to serve you.