What You Need to Know About Teletherapy During COVID-19

Teletherapy is the use of technology — such as phone calls and video chat — to deliver mental health services to a patient. Here at Dyad Health, we are a fully virtual practice, meaning we only deliver services via teletherapy in California.

There are pros and cons to teletherapy under any circumstances. However, during COVID-19, many providers are turning to teletherapy to continue offering mental healthcare to their clients without compromising anyone’s safety. In fact, there has been a 154% increase in the number of telehealth visits since March 2020.

It’s important to understand the potential risks and benefits before deciding if teletherapy is right for you. Whether you are considering teletherapy because of COVID-19, because you have a busy schedule, or because you feel more comfortable talking to a therapist from the privacy of your home, here’s everything you need to know about this emerging trend in mental healthcare.

How does teletherapy work?

In teletherapy, you meet with your therapist over the phone or Internet instead of visiting them in their office, usually in the form of a phone call or video chat. Like any other therapist, he or she will complete a thorough assessment of your needs and work with your to develop a treatment plan that addresses your mental health concerns.

Most of what you are asked to do in teletherapy will be the same as if you were visiting your provider in person. You will still be able to talk about your concerns and complete exercises with your therapist’s guidance. As in any therapeutic relationship, your success in teletherapy depends on how hard you are willing to work and how diligently you stick to your treatment plan.

Is teletherapy secure?

As a teletherapy patient, you still have the same rights regarding private health information (PHI) as any other patient. Your therapist will take precautions to ensure your PHI stays private, but it’s important to understand that we cannot guarantee your information will not be compromised if something were to happen — for example, if your therapist’s email were hacked.

Teletherapists use secure phone or video platforms to ensure your sessions will not be recorded or accessed by an unauthorized person. For example, you might think it is only for tedious work meetings, but Zoom is actually a safe and secure means of delivering teletherapy!

Your therapist’s email and voicemail are confidential but not secure. This means that while they are still password-protected, there is still a chance they could be accessed by an unauthorized person. Thus, compromised privacy is one of the risks that must be weighed against the benefits of teletherapy.

How much does teletherapy cost?

Teletherapy does not usually cost any more or less than regular therapy. You will still be charged based on the services that were rendered to you, even if they were delivered virtually.

Depending on your provider, you will either pay for teletherapy out-of-pocket or using your health insurance plan. For example, Dyad Health is a cash-only teletherapy practice in California, but we can provide you with a “super-bill” to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement upon request.

Pros of Teletherapy

It’s amazing that modern technology has advanced so much that teletherapy is now an option. Even so, many people still choose to see their providers in-person. If you’re used to going to an office to get mental healthcare, you might be nervous about transitioning to teletherapy (or starting therapy for the first time over the Internet). Here are some reasons why teletherapy can actually be a good thing:

Flexibility

In the past, you might not have been able to access therapy at all if you couldn’t attend an in-person session. Now, thanks to teletherapy, you can still see your therapist when you’re on your lunch break, when you’re traveling — or, say, in the middle of a global pandemic! It also allows for expanded hours early in the morning or late at night, which helps make therapy more accessible if you’re someone with a hectic work or school schedule.

Accessibility

Speaking of accessibility, teletherapy often means that you do not need to be within driving distance of your therapist to receive treatment from them. As long as your provider is licensed in your state, you may not even need to live in the same part of the country! This is especially helpful to people living in rural areas where there are a lack of therapists and psychologists who work nearby, people with physical limitations, or people who do not have access to reliable transportation.

Comfort

Many people feel more comfortable seeking help from a therapist online than they do talking to a therapist in person. It can be challenging to open up to a complete stranger, especially if you are seeking therapy for the first time and aren’t sure what to expect. When you’re in the comfort and privacy of your own home, it may be easier to talk candidly with your therapist than if you were sitting in a stuffy office.

Cons of Teletherapy

Despite the increased flexibility, accessibility, and comfort that comes with teletherapy, some people may choose to stick to traditional in-person therapy instead. Whether or not you ultimately decide to go with teletherapy, it’s important to weigh the benefits and risks of virtual mental healthcare versus traditional talk therapy before making a decision. Here are some of the potential cons of teletherapy you may want to consider when making your final choice:

Confidentiality

There seems to be some type of data security breach every day on the news. Given what you’ve likely heard about the risks of putting too much information on the Internet, it’s natural to be cautious about your private health information (PHI) when considering teletherapy. If this is a concern of yours, make sure to find a provider who uses HIPAA-secure software, such as Zoom or Doxy.me, for teletherapy visits. Ultimately, however, no type of therapy is 100% secure. Security breaches, while extremely rare, can happen in any type of therapy practice. They are no more likely to occur online than off.

Technical Issues

One unavoidable part of relying on modern technology is the potential for technical issues to disrupt your therapy session. No technology comes error-free: video gets fuzzy, WiFi cuts out, and phone calls disconnect. The good news is that most teletherapy providers have a policy about what to do in the event that technology becomes unreliable during your session. Many therapists can complete sessions via phone if your Internet stops working, or vice-versa. They may also offer you the opportunity to reschedule, often at no cost.

Crisis Response

Virtual therapy can make it challenging for your therapist to respond in the event of an emergency. Because your online therapist may not live within driving distance of your physical location, it may be more difficult for them to respond to a potential crisis. For this reason, your therapist will likely ask for your physical location at the beginning of your session or during your intake. This way, if you are in danger of hurting yourself or someone else, your therapist can contact the appropriate authorities. He or she will also ask for an emergency contact whom you give permission for your therapist to call if you need direct assistance.

Teletherapy in California during COVID-19

If you’re here exploring our options for teletherapy in California, you should be aware of how teletherapy has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, many of these changes are positive, resulting in increased access to teletherapy and better insurance coverage. Regardless, it’s important to understand the emergency orders California has put into place to govern teletherapy during COVID-19.

Is my insurance required to cover teletherapy?

All commercial and Medicaid insurance plans in the state of California are required to grant subscribers access to teletherapy when it is medically appropriate, and to provide the same benefits for teletherapy as in-person therapy. The emergency order issued by Governor Newsom in March 2020 expanding access to telehealth will remain in place until there is no longer a public health emergency.

Dyad Health does not accept insurance as a means of payment. However, if your insurance plan provides reimbursement for out-of-network providers for in-person therapy services, they are required to do so for teletherapy, at least for the extent of the public health emergency. We are happy to provide clients with a super-bill to submit to their insurance plan for reimbursement upon request.

Does MediCal cover teletherapy?

MediCal is the state of California Medicaid program. Many MediCal plans already cover teletherapy services. If your MediCal plan does not normally, they are required to do so during the public health emergency caused by COVID-19. This includes services rendered by phone as well as video chat. They are also required to reimburse certain telehealth claims by out-of-state providers (who are not normally covered under MediCal) without prior approval.