Telephone Counseling Therapy: How Distance Therapy Can Change Your Life
The number of US adults who experience a mental illness in a given year is 43.8 million, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness—and even more than that may go through a challenging situation or have complicated emotions that a therapist could help them process. Traditionally, however, seeking therapy was difficult or even impossible for many. Newer formats for mental health treatment—such as telephone counseling therapy or online therapy—are changing that.
How Telephone Counseling Therapy Is Different From Traditional Methods
Telephone counseling therapy is simply a different medium for receiving mental health care from a licensed professional. It can take place on a phone call or on a video call, depending on your preferences and what options your provider offers. Once the call has begun, however, the process is essentially the same as in an in-person session. Your therapist will ask you about what’s going on in your life and what you may need help working through, and they’ll listen as you talk, providing guidance or encouragement as needed along the way. So even though you’re not physically in the same room as your therapist, research suggests that you can still get the same kind of benefits from the session.
Benefits Of Telephone Counseling Therapy
With tens of millions of adults in the US facing mental health challenges, it’s clear that one size couldn’t possibly fit all when it comes to treatment. Telephone and online therapy are two relatively new options that allow even more people to seek the care they may need. Plus, telephone and online therapy are typically more cost-effective for individuals who are looking for free online therapy, since the mental health professional has less overhead to cover and can therefore offer lower prices.
Why You Might Seek Telephone Or Online Therapy
There are lots of different reasons a person may choose to seek therapy. Some people may be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness or could have had one diagnosed before, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or others. Seeking therapy in cases like these can be useful because a therapist can help you manage symptoms through different strategies and techniques. They can also help you identify and shift any unhelpful thought patterns, improve skills for things like handling stress or communicating with others, and more.
However, having or suspecting you may have a mental health condition is not the only reason you might choose to seek therapy.
Note that while research has found online therapy to be a viable treatment option for certain conditions (like generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and depression, for example), it may not be right for others. For those experiencing more severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder, for instance, seeking in-person treatment instead is typically recommended.
How To Find A Therapist Who Offers Telephone Sessions
For therapy to be most effective, it’s best to find a provider and a method you feel comfortable with. Since you also have to find someone who fits your budget and your schedule, there may be some research and even some trial and error involved in the process, but finding the right mental health care provider for you is usually worth it.
To get started, you can try a therapist matching services like MyTherapist.com. It can provide you with a listing of licensed, experienced therapists that provide telephone or online sessions. With services like these, you’ll fill out a brief questionnaire about your situation and your needs so you can be shown relevant providers. For example, you might be asked if you're seeking therapy for yourself, yourself and your partner, or for your teen or child, what your age is, and what mental health concerns you may have been experiencing lately. You’ll then receive options for providers who you can meet with virtually.
Once you’ve been matched, you’ll be able to start scheduling meetings with a therapist via phone or video. So, how much does therapy cost? The rate is determined by the choice of therapist you consult. For weekly sessions, the typical therapy cost is between $40 and $70—comparable to the co-pays of most insurance plans. For comparison, the average cost for an in-person therapy session in the United States is between $100–$200, making telephone or online therapy a more cost-effective method for many.
Takeaway
Virtually anyone can benefit from connecting with a mental health professional. Thanks to telephone and online counseling options, it’s now easier than ever to find a provider you can speak with. Consider trying out a therapy matching service to connect with a therapist who may be able to help you with any challenges you’re facing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Telephone Counseling And Therapy
Is telephone counseling effective?
Yes. Research has proven cognitive behavioral therapy to be just as effective in telephone counseling as in-person therapy services are. The only difference noted in the over-the-phone form of counseling was that sessions tended to be shorter than the average in-person counseling service.
What is telephone therapy?
Telephone therapy is a type of counseling session done over the phone versus the traditional in-person counseling session. Online counseling is another very popular form of counseling service used. You can find a therapist who provides distance therapy on mytherapist.com.
Can you talk to a therapist over the phone?
Yes, you can talk to a therapist over the phone via telephone counseling or utilize online counseling. The need for counseling telephone jobs has seen a dramatic increase in recent years as the demand for over-the-phone therapy has skyrocketed. To find a therapist who offers over-the-phone services, check with your insurance provider for in-network telehealth options or go to mytherapist.com.
Does insurance cover phone therapy?
Yes, in many cases, insurance covers phone therapy, but you’ll want to check with your insurance provider. Many insurance companies provide in-network telehealth solutions that include telephone counseling and online counseling services. Mytherapist.com is a great tool to find a licensed therapist that provides distance therapy through telephone counseling or online counseling. If you do not have insurance coverage for online counseling or telephone counseling, fear not! The cost of distance therapy tends to be more affordable than in-person therapy. Some counseling services also offer a sliding scale or complimentary services for those in financially challenging circumstances.
How does telephone counseling work?
Counseling sessions conducted via online counseling or telephone counseling work just as well as in-person counseling, providing the client with the same cognitive behavioral therapy used during in-person therapy.
How much does telephone counseling cost?
The cost of telephone counseling depends on your insurance coverage and the online therapist you choose. You can check your insurance provider’s in-network teletherapy options or find a therapist on mytherapist.com who provides counseling sessions via online counseling or telephone counseling. That said, counseling sessions conducted from a distance are usually more affordable than in-person counseling. Depending on the counseling service used and your financial situation, you may even be offered a more affordable rate.
Are telephone sessions considered telehealth?
Yes, telephone sessions are considered telehealth. Your insurance provider should have in-network telehealth options that include over-the-phone counseling session coverage and online counseling options, as well.
Are there interactional differences between telephone and face-to-face psychological therapy?
Research has shown that there are very few interactional differences between counseling telephone sessions and in-person therapy. The one noted difference was that the distance form of counseling often resulted in a shorter session.
What is considered telephone counseling?
What are the key features of telephone Counselling?
What are the disadvantages of telephone Counselling?
Therapy Is Personal
Therapy is a personal experience, and not everyone will go into it seeking the same things. Keeping these things in mind can ensure that you will get the most out of online therapy, regardless of what your specific goals are. If you’re still wondering if therapy is right for you, and how much therapy costs, please contact us at contact@betterhelp.com. BetterHelp specializes in online therapy to help address all types of mental health concerns. If you’re interested in individual therapy, please reach out to contact@betterhelp.com. For more information about BetterHelp as a company, please find us on:
If you need a crisis hotline or want to learn more about therapy, please see below:
RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) - 1-800-656-4673
NAMI Helpline (National Alliance on Mental Illness) - 1-800-950-6264
For more information on mental health, please see:
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) SAMHSA Facebook, SAMHSA Twitter, SAMHSA LinkedIn
Mental Health America, MHA Twitter, MHA Facebook, MHA Instagram, MHA Pinterest, MHA LinkedIn
WebMD, WebMD Facebook, WebMD Twitter, WebMD Pinterest, WebMD LinkedIn
NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health), NIMH Facebook, NIMH Twitter,NIMH YouTube, NIMH LinkedIn
APA (American Psychiatric Association), APA Twitter, APA Facebook, APA LinkedIn, APA Instagram
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