Although the COVID-19 pandemic has brought ongoing traumatic stress for most if not all of us, it is arguably not without its silver linings.
For instance, many people have found great benefit afforded by things like: the increased availability of work-from-home jobs, the normalization of home-schooling and/or the opportunity (albeit forced) to reset priorities, reevaluate life-goals and redefine the meaning of success.
Another silver lining from the pandemic has been increased accessibility to therapy via telehealth. We no longer need to spend as much time and energy on things like driving to appointments, finding parking, waiting rooms, etc.
Our choice of therapist is also no longer as dictated by physical proximity as it once was (except that state licensure laws and level of care must be considered).
But many of us have been wondering how well it works when compared to in-person. This article from the American Psychological Association (APA) website (dated 7/1/2020, 10-min read) offers some interesting answers.
What we’ve seen is that telehealth is essentially just as effective as face-to-face psychotherapy — and retention rates are higher.
David Mohr, PhD
What do you think? Will you read the article? What has your experience been with therapy via telehealth? In your view, what are its pros and cons? Do you have a preference? I’d love to know your thoughts!
Please feel free to comment below, and don’t hesitate to send me a note to start a conversation.