Some people may be skeptical about the efficacy of virtual counseling, believing that one must attend therapy in person for the best results. However, this isn’t necessarily true. Of course, each individual is different, and certain people may find it easier to get into the right mindset or feel a greater sense of privacy when receiving therapy sessions in the counselor’s office. It all depends on your unique situation, so consider your circumstances and needs when deciding whether to try teletherapy as part of Promises Brazos Valley’s virtual intensive outpatient program for addiction recovery.
What are the benefits of teletherapy?
If you or someone you know has attended traditional in-person counseling sessions before, you may wonder why you should think about switching to teletherapy. Many people have made the switch already, as virtual counseling has significantly gained popularity since the pandemic.
Convenience
You can’t underestimate the importance of convenience when it comes to therapy. One of the top reasons for not receiving much-needed counseling is not having the time to fit therapy into one’s schedule. Another is having difficulty getting to the therapist’s office due to a lack of transportation or not having a therapist within reasonable proximity.
Teletherapy offers the most convenient option for addiction therapy. You don’t have to travel to the counselor’s office, eliminating transportation issues and commute time. This makes it much easier to fit your therapy appointment into your day.
Access
As mentioned, it can be challenging to receive therapy if you don’t have a conveniently located therapist in your area. This is especially true if you live in a rural area or your insurance doesn’t cover a counselor nearby. The wonderful thing about teletherapy is that you can select a counselor from anywhere around the country, offering greater ease of access.
When you’re able to choose from a wider pool of therapists, you can also find the best fit for your needs because you can search for those who specialize in particular addiction recovery aspects, such as trauma-informed care, gender-specific treatment, 12-step-based programs, and dual diagnosis treatment.
Affordability
Another factor that can interfere with one’s ability to receive the appropriate therapy is the cost. Each insurance plan is different, so while one person may be able to access therapy with a small copay, another may have to pay for the majority of the visit out of pocket. This can make a difference in whether or not therapy fits into your budget. Teletherapy can often cost less than in-person therapy since there’s no need for a therapist to have the overhead of a physical office.
Can virtual counseling be as effective as in-person therapy for addiction recovery?
If you’re debating between heading into a therapist’s office for sessions or trying teletherapy via video or phone call, you may want to see some scientific evidence. Virtual counseling has been found to be:
- As effective as in-person therapy: According to a recent study, no noticeable difference was found between the effects of virtual counseling and those of in-person counseling.1
- Conducive to higher retention rates: An older study found that individuals enrolled in teletherapy for addiction recovery had a 50% retention rate one year into the program compared to a 39% retention rate for those attending in-person sessions.
Since you’ll receive the same quality of care through virtual counseling as in-person therapy, and you’re more likely to remain in the program through completion, teletherapy is a highly recommended treatment option for addiction recovery.
Call Promises Brazos Valley to sign up for virtual counseling
To start enjoying the benefits of therapy from the comfort of home, reach out to Promises Brazos Valley at 979.426.0086 or fill out our online form. Our qualified therapists can help you navigate the challenges of addiction recovery on a convenient schedule that works for you.
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