Telehealth Treatment

Telehealth therapy has become increasingly popular due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Otherwise known as “telemedicine”, telehealth therapies have been in use for decades. But they are only recently becoming mainstream. There are many benefits to telemedicine, but it has become the go-to during this pandemic. This is due to its ability to allow patients to seek the treatment they need without the risk of in-person contact. 

What is Telehealth Therapy?

Teletherapy is defined as any treatment that is offered outside of traditional “in-person” methods. This can include Skype or other video conferencing, phone calls, email, text message, or other digital communication.

The defining factor is that there is no need for in-person contact. Teletherapy allows patients to receive treatment from the comfort of their own home, on their own terms. At its best, teletherapy can benefit both patients and providers by using technology to connect them virtually. 

According to a survey, 75% of respondents that had tried teletherapy had a positive experience. While it may seem new or unusual at first, many patients report enjoying the teletherapy option more than traditional in-person treatment. 

Who Can Offer Teletherapy?

Only licensed professionals can safely offer teletherapy in any form. While guidelines are still being set, in general, effective teletherapy can be offered by anyone with a license to practice mental health therapy in-person. Mental health licensure requirements vary from state to state, and generally, there is no reciprocity between state licensure requirements. 

Many insurance carriers now offer telehealth options as standard with insurance coverage-for everything from primary care to addiction treatment. 

At Silver Linings Recovery Center, our licensed counselors are now offering teletherapy options for addiction treatment, mental health counseling, and almost everything in between. 

Benefits of Telehealth Therapy

There are truly very few disadvantages to teletherapy. Ease of access and use has made therapy available to many who may have struggled to find it before. In addition, the safety of not being potentially exposed to Covid-19 provides another benefit in this climate. Many studies also show that teletherapy can be just as effective as in-person options. Some of the many benefits of teletherapy are listed below. 

• You have the ability to receive treatment on your schedule. You can work around your job, your family, or transportation difficulties. Also, you can have schedule treatment at a time that truly works best for you.
• It’s is extremely convenient to receive treatment from home. No transportation is required and you can be in any location that has cellular/internet service. 
• Teletherapy is more affordable. Because there is little to no overhead for the provider and no travel cost for the patient, teletherapy can be offered at little to no cost. Assess your cost before deciding what is right for you!
• There are several different options for group or individual therapy. Teletherapy can effectively provide for almost every option available in-person. You will still have the ability to choose what is right for you. 
• You’ll have privacy and confidentiality. There is no in-person waiting room or wait at all. The only people aware of your conversation are you and your provider. 
• You have access to many licensed mental health care providers. All of our teletherapy providers are experts in their field and you can choose a counselor that best suits your desired treatment style. 

Finding the Right Teletherapy for You

When you or a loved one decide to seek treatment, this should not be entered into it lightly. You should do your research before deciding on a particular mode of teletherapy. 

If cost is an issue, you should check with your insurance provider to see what, if any, mental health treatments they cover. Thankfully, more and more providers are offering telehealth coverage than ever before. Online databases, such as Psychology Today, provide comprehensive lists of providers and the insurance they accept. 

It is also good practice to contact your insurance provider to discuss what may or may not be covered. In general, there should be some level of mental health/telehealth coverage in your plan-particularly if it is offered through your employer. Employers are finding it increasingly beneficial and cost-effective to provide for the mental health of their employees.

Even if you do not have insurance, you are not out of luck. You will, however, want to research which care can offer the best value for your money. Contact potential rehab or therapy providers to see what out of pocket costs might be.

The Right Therapist for You

It is also important to consider aspects of your therapist that might provide the best “fit”, such as gender. Some women may feel more comfortable speaking with another woman or vice versa.  It’s best for you to also research what areas of expertise your potential providers focus on. If you or someone you love suffers from common “co-occurring disorders” such as depression and addiction, you will want to choose a licensed therapist who specializes in dual diagnosis. 

You deserve a therapist who “gets you” and treatment that meets your needs. The more selective you are in choosing your provider, the more likely your treatment is to be successful. At Silver Linings, we are committed to walking you through this difficult process and seeing you through to the end.

Telehealth Therapy and Covid-19

It is no secret that coronavirus has turned our world upside down. The effects of the virus have forced us to reevaluate our treatment plans and reconsider secondary options as primary. However, we have seen that the increase in requests for teletherapy has NOT coincided in increased numbers of relapse or decrease in therapeutic success. 

Connecting patients with therapists face-to-face has proven extremely effective over the years. However, these uncertain times call for new and innovative treatments. Fortunately, at Silver Linings Recovery Centers, we offer a full gamut of teletherapy. We are committed to improving the quality and numbers of our telehealth options. At Silver Linings Recovery Services, we care about improving our communities through addiction treatment and we believe that now more than ever we need to carry our weight. 

We are not only offering telehealth therapy options to our current patients, but we are thrilled to extend these benefits to the uninsured or those otherwise unable to afford or find an effective treatment.

Teletherapy Options at Silver Linings

Teletherapy is a wide-ranging term for treatment options that are offered digitally. Silver Linings Recovery Centers is committed to maintaining privacy and HIPPA compliance. We have chosen a video conferencing method that is both effective and safe. While there may be a learning curve or some awkwardness at first, we believe the benefits of our telehealth options outweigh the risks.

Our treatment will be readily available to anyone with internet or cell service coverage. Our team of trained professionals is committed to walking you through any technical difficulties you may face on your way to successful treatment. 

Finding supportive and effective drug or alcohol treatment can be difficult to say the least, even outside of a pandemic. It can be even more frustrating in this historic time. At Silver Linings, we strive to make this difficult process as easy and effective as possible. We are here to help you, or your loved one, get treatment today.

Potential Telehealth Therapy Treatment Options at Silver Linings

Outpatient Options– Outpatient rehab is the most common and least restrictive form of teletherapy. The outpatient option will allow you the time needed to still live life normally while fitting in teletherapy in your own time. On average, patients will attend at least one group session as well as one individual session per week

Intensive Outpatient (IOP)–Intensive outpatient treatment is one level above general outpatient therapy. This option gives you rigorous yet effective treatment while still allowing you the freedom to be at home. If you decide IOP is right for you, you can expect to attend as many as five sessions per week for between three and 6 hours a day. 

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)– Partial hospitalization is the most rigorous of our teletherapy options and is usually combined with some appropriate in-person treatment. We recommend this option for those who require a more strenuous level of attention, such as medical detox. Those in need of our PHP program will receive treatment up to six days a week for up to eight hours a day. This can be done completely online or in combination with on-campus options.  

Begin Your Telehealth Journey with Silver Linings Today! 

At Silver Linings, we are committed to providing overwhelmingly safe in-person treatment options. We are taking every precaution to limit the spread of Covid-19 without limiting our effectiveness. Our team is fully confident in our safety precautions while also investing heavily in new, innovative teletherapy treatments.

We are excited to help you conquer an addiction or whatever mental health challenges you might be facing from the comfort of your own home. Call us today to explore what telehealth treatment options may be best for you. We look forward to walking with you on this new path!