The mental health field has undergone a significant transformation, thanks to the rapid growth of telehealth therapy. What started as a necessity during the pandemic has become a preferred care model for providers and clients, driven by high demand, convenience, and technological advances.

For mental health practice owners, teletherapy offers a way to expand access and deliver quality, personalized care. Whether you’re just starting or refining your virtual care offerings, knowing the best practices and emerging digital tools can help you create a seamless experience for your clients.

Telehealth therapy — also known as online therapy, teletherapy, or telehealth — is the delivery of mental health services over the internet via text messaging, online chatting, video conferencing, or phone, Sarah Haugh, MS, LMHC, founder, director, and therapist at North Shore Professional Therapy, LLC, says.

A therapist may use teletherapy while providing both individual and group counseling sessions.

According to Sarah Bolor, LCSW, founder and clinical director at SayIt Mental Health, a telehealth therapy session is similar to an in-person one. Virtual sessions are scheduled in advance and facilitated on Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant platforms.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of a telehealth therapy appointment, according to Bolor:

When conducting a telehealth appointment, providers can follow the best practices from the American Psychological Association (APA) and HIPAA for confidentiality, informed consent, and safety in virtual settings. Helpful resources to use when choosing a virtual platform and managing professional counselor ethics can also be found through the American Counseling Association.

The benefits of telehealth services for patients and providers include better accessibility and flexibility, privacy, and improved engagement, especially when you follow best practices.

Telehealth access allows clients with restrictive schedules, limited transportation, or reservations about starting therapy to more easily meet with therapists. Teletherapy can offer therapists more flexibility in where they work and who they serve, Bolor says. However, they must adhere to state licensing laws and ethical standards, which may limit where they practice and how many clients they can take on, depending on their area. 

Teletherapy makes it easier for clients, especially those in underserved areas, to attend sessions regularly. This consistency supports ongoing care for chronic conditions like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Ongoing virtual check-ins support patients’ follow through with their prescribed psychotropic medication routines. Research suggests that teletherapy can improve medication adherence for people with depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.

Teletherapy can provide an extra layer of security for clients. “[Clients] do not have to worry about running into someone in the waiting room or someone seeing them enter a counseling office,” Haugh says. Clients can meet with their therapists from the comfort of their homes, offices, or even vehicles. Also, most platforms are HIPAA-compliant and encrypted to enhance confidentiality.

Virtual care can also increase patient engagement for providers by limiting barriers. “In my experience, I have found that attendance is greatly improved for telehealth vs in-person care,” Haugh says. Rather than devoting time to commute to their therapist’s office and back, clients can click a button to start and end their sessions.

You can enhance your remote healthcare experience with digital health platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. 

Here are some notable telehealth platforms to consider for your practice:

Emerging digital health tools are also shaping the future of telehealth therapy: 

Telehealth is a great way to support clients with ongoing mental health concerns. As demand grows, practices embracing virtual care and emerging digital tools can use telehealth mental health services expand their reach and improve long-term outcomes. 

If you are offering or considering offering telehealth therapy, now’s the time to work on your strategy, stay informed on ethical best practices, and consider AI-driven tools and platforms that can take your practice to the next level.

Seeking deeper insights into what clients expect from virtual care? View our Patient Perspectives Report to learn how to increase patient satisfaction and trust in your practice.