Telehealth Visits With Your Therapist
The COVID-19 pandemic irrevocably changed entire industries in every area of life. Overnight, the mental health field had to adapt to what was once considere
d something of a niche market - mental health therapy/counseling delivered entirely online. Online therapy communities and practitioners were certainly in existence, meeting and exchanging information on Facebook and email lists - but flourished in the wake of the need for the vast majority of people to learn to meet with clients in their homes, usually working from home themselves.
As early as 2013, Hility, et. al., (2013) found telemental health services were not only fully comparable in outcomes for clients seeking services for depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), etc. - but access to services was gre
atly improved. Services popped up, servers crashed, the kinks were worked out over time. No one necessarily knew telehealth was going to be a permanent part of service delivery. As we near the end of the third quarter of 2022, it is clear with the second year of legislation being negotiated, insurance panels renewing commitments to paying for telehealth, it certainly appears it is here to stay.
In Iowa, LKT Collective is serving a state of roughly 60% urban communities, and 40% rural. Telehealth is made it easier than ever for folks to access the therapy they want from anywhere in the state. Ease of access is one thing our clients report as being the most important factor in deciding on utilizing telehealth to seek counseling services. Telehealth visits can be done from anywhere one has an internet connection and reasonable privacy, and it certainly saves times on commutes, even if you are not a rural customer.
As of 2021, more than 85% of U.S. adults own a smartphone. Smartphones have become one of the fastest growing ways to access the HIPAA (the law that protects the security of patient health information) compliant video software and secure text messaging mental health professionals use to modernize their service offerings and communication with clients. LKT Collective is proud to offer secure video sessions to treat a variety of issues, including mood disorders like depression or anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder symptoms, or relationship conflicts and parenting concerns. Our clients report being able to feel secure in their own surroundings while accessing needed treatments and support, being able to schedule around work, family, and other commitments. People using telehealth are often pleasantly surprised by the way they can access