Since the global COVID-19 pandemic, telepractice in healthcare has seen a meteoric rise in popularity. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), in 2021, approximately 35% of mental health consultations took place by videoconference, while these figures were around 10% in 2019. Today, approximately 88% of psychologists incorporate teleconsultation into their practice.
We all remember that the pandemic context forced us to use virtual methods in every way. On the other hand, in a post-COVID world in which our normal activities have resumed, some may wonder: why do mental health workers maintain videoconferencing in their practice?
1. Telepsychology is more accessible
In fact, telepractice has a few advantages that make it more attractive than in-person consultations to many people. Many individuals opt for telepractice monitoring for its greater accessibility. It is actually much easier to fit an appointment into an already busy schedule for which you do not have to travel! We save ourselves the extra time and planning associated with traveling, whether we use public transportation or the car.
People who would otherwise not have been able to consult psychology due to lack of time can now afford it. This advantage is also significant for individuals for whom moving outside the home is difficult, whether for mobility or mental health reasons.
2. Videoconference consultations simplify research
Thanks to videoconference consultations, it is not necessary to limit your search for therapists among the mental health service offers located in your city, which is especially interesting for individuals living in small municipalities where openings with therapists are rarer than in large centers.
Patients wishing to consult for a more complex problem also increase their chances of finding a psychologist with the necessary expertise to work with them.
3. Efficiency is the same as in person
Numerous studies also demonstrate that telepractice psychotherapy is just as effective as face-to-face therapy. More specifically, videoconference consultations have been tested in research for the treatment of depressive, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and post-traumatic stress disorders, and have offered the same results as face-to-face sessions.
It has also been shown that therapeutic relationships just as strong as in person can be created via telepractice.
In summary
In short, psychotherapy by videoconference has many significant advantages. Despite this, many individuals, therapists and patients alike, prefer face-to-face consultations for all sorts of entirely valid reasons. In particular, they may seem more intimate and cozy, and some individuals like to travel to another location for their meetings. So good old in-person consultations are here to stay!
However, if video conferencing consultations seem like a more accessible option for you, this avenue is definitely worth exploring.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to discuss further the different modalities of mental health consultation. We will be happy to support you in your efforts!
Sources
American Psychological Association (2023). Infographic: Percentage of psychologists offering remote or in-person treatment, 2020–2023. https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/practitioner/2023-infographics/telehealth-location
Anawade, P. A., Sharma, D., Gahane, S., Anawade Sr, P. A., & Sharma, D. S. (2024). A comprehensive review on exploring the impact of telemedicine on healthcare accessibility. Cureus, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.55996
Bellanti, D. M., Kelber, M. S., Workman, D. E., Beech, E. H., & Belsher, B. E. (2022). *Rapid review on the effectiveness of telehealth interventions for
the treatment of behavioral health disorders.* Military Medicine, 187(5–6), e577–e588. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usab318
Krzyzaniak, N., Greenwood, H., Scott, A. M., Peiris, R., Cardona, M., Clark, J., & Glasziou, P. (2021). The effectiveness of telehealth versus face-to-face interventions for anxiety disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Society for Telemedicine and Telecare, 30(2), 250–261. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X211053738
Lin, T., Heckman, T. G., & Anderson, T. (2022). The efficacy of synchronous teletherapy versus in-person therapy: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 29(2), 167–178. https://doi.org/10.1037/cps0000056
Schiller, C. E., Prim, J., Bauer, A. E., Lux, L., Lundegard, L. C., Kang, M., Hellberg, S., Thompson, K., Webber, T., Teklezghi, A., Pettee, N., Gaffney, K., Hodgins, G., Rahman, F., Steinsiek, J. N., Modi, A., & Gaynes, B. N. (2023). Efficacy of virtual care for depressive disorders: Systemic review and meta-analysis. JMIR Mental Health, 10, e38955. https://doi.org/10.2196/38955