Our mental health isn’t always a priority in our busy, everyday lives. But it should be. If you’re seeking counseling, psychotherapy, couples therapy, or any type of therapy, you shouldn’t put that on the back burner.
While you may not have the time in your schedule to make an in-person therapy appointment, much less attend it, there are other options, and phone therapy is a top one.
What Is Telephone Therapy?
Telephone therapy is a form of online therapy option that allows clients to handle their appointments from the comfort of their homes via telephone. Video counseling is another similar counseling option that is both common and effective.
Telephone counseling is an excellent alternative to in-person therapy. It caters to individuals who may not have a qualified therapist nearby, don’t feel comfortable meeting with their therapist in person, or want (or need) to attend from their home. It eliminates the need for a commute to and from appointments. Plus, it doesn’t require an internet connection.
How Does Telephone Therapy Work?
When an individual decides to pursue telephone therapy, their therapist, counselor, psychologist, or life coach calls at the time of the session. The process of meeting the appointment is straightforward: ensure your provider has the correct phone number, you’re in an area with good service, and you’re prepared to answer the call at the scheduled time.
Most video counseling through the internet usually has a phone option too. In other words, there will usually be an option to “call in” to a phone number instead of joining through Zoom (or similar services) on a computer.
Though many people have an aversion to phone conversations, telephone therapy allows people to connect with therapists that may not be available in their area. While some phone calls may not be successful, many may also find their therapist is a strong fit.
Is Telephone Therapy As Effective As Traditional Therapy?
With telephone therapy gaining traction and rising in popularity, researchers are doing their part to study and understand the efficacy of this form of treatment. Traditional therapy, also known as in-person therapy, is known to be effective—many people making the switch question the efficacy of telephone therapy in place of conventional therapy.
Researchers have found that telephone therapy is an effective option to treat various stressors and conditions, including:
- Life challenges, including low self-esteem, stress, relationship issues, lack of career fulfillment, trauma, etc.
- Mental illnesses, including: anxiety, substance abuse disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Phone therapists or counselors intend to provide service to individuals seeking non-emergency services only. Individuals in the midst of critical situations, such as having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of danger in other forms of imminent harm, need to contact their local authorities or seek immediate support from their local emergency room.
Will My Insurance Cover Telephone Therapy Sessions?
Most major insurance companies are takings steps toward covering counseling services via phone. Many insurance companies cover counseling by video or telephone. Insurance coverage generally translates to affordable services, in addition to the comfort, flexibility, reliability, and convenience telephone therapy offers.
Check with your insurance provider to ensure they will cover telephone therapy sessions. To determine if they will cover telephone therapy, call the number on the back of your insurance card. Generally, when your provider covers counseling services, the out-of-pocket payment you’ll pay might be as low as a regular co-pay necessary for a trip to the doctor’s office or in-person counseling services.
If your insurance doesn’t cover telephone therapy, ask your therapist what kind of payment plans that they offer, if any. Many providers understand that insurance won’t always cover the services you seek or need, so you may be able to find a healthcare provider with affordable rates.
Therapy Fees
Therapists typically require a full fee but can usually accommodate a sliding scale fee. Your therapist will likely review these fees with you to find a fair price for both parties. They may ask you what you can afford, and if so, be honest. Try to balance authenticity and honesty for these questions for best results.
What To Expect From Telephone Therapy
Telephone therapy is much like traditional therapy, save for the face-to-face aspect. Just like with conventional therapy, sessions over the phone vary. Many therapists will tell you that there is a lot of variability in what an average session may look like.
For example, a single session may last only fifteen minutes, while others may extend to a full hour.
When you initially start meeting with your counselor or therapist over the phone, the startup process is very similar to other forms of therapy. Generally, there is an initial consultation where the therapist or counselor assesses your situation. From there, your therapist will create an appropriate treatment program suited to your needs.
Who Is Telephone Therapy Ideal For?
While telephone therapy isn’t a good choice for individuals contending with suicidal or other imminently dangerous thoughts, it’s an excellent choice for other individuals in crisis, married couples, and families.
Individuals who feel emotionally overwhelmed or aren’t sure where to turn for support can reach out to various counseling services for assistance. Often, people are simply seeking another person’s point of view or someone who can reassure them that they will be able to resolve the struggles they are facing.
Married and dating couples also may struggle with various life circumstances and may need the help of a neutral third party. The process works the same as with individuals: couples can reach out to phone therapists and participate in sessions to help them keep their relationship and personal lives on track.
Many people don’t think of families when they consider phone therapy. However, therapists are equipped to help families solve their family drama in a healthy way. Phone systems allow family members in various locations to tune into the call. A family member may also choose to participate in individual therapy sessions to delve into their behaviors and outcomes to improve the quality of their personal lives.
Benefits Of Telephone Therapy
Telephone therapy offers an array of benefits and is an excellent choice for individuals in crisis.
Comfort
This form of therapy allows you to participate in therapy sessions from the comfort of your own home. It eliminates the need to travel to your therapist’s office, instead allowing you to attend the meeting from wherever is convenient and comfortable for you. The only thing you need is telephone access and reliable service.
Many individuals who suffer from social anxiety appreciate telephone therapy’s luxuries. Clients can seek counsel from a licensed therapist without leaving their home or interacting with the public. Additionally, individuals who don’t want to be seen going in and out of a therapist’s office may benefit from online therapy solutions.
Reliability
Online therapy is excellent for reliability. While various factors may impact a client’s ability to travel to the office, like bad weather, traffic, a physical injury, or other external factors preventing travel, telephone therapy eliminates the need for travel.
Flexibility
Telephone therapy is different from traditional therapy in that it isn’t a face-to-face service. Since it only requires a telephone and adequate service, clients can often get an appointment with their therapist much quicker than they would with a traditional therapy appointment. There’s no need to wait days or weeks for an appointment, as clients can often schedule a same-day or next-day telephone therapy appointment.
Affordable
With most insurance companies covering online therapy services, including telephone therapy, sessions are highly affordable. However, if your insurance company doesn’t cover it, talk to your therapist about payment options.
Efficacy
Telephone therapy has been around for a while and is by no means a novelty. Therapy sessions conducted over the phone have been around since as early as the 1950s, when the very first mental health hotline was created.
Since then, researchers have conducted extensive studies on the efficacy of telephone therapy. These studies indicate that telephone sessions are beneficial.
Tips To Make The Most Of Telephone Therapy
As with traditional therapy, there are things clients can do to make the most of the session. First and foremost, it’s essential to find a therapist that the client feels comfortable with. There must be some sort of chemistry and rapport between the therapist and client.
Open, honest communication is critical in any form of therapy. In the beginning, you may have a tough time efficiently communicating with your therapist, or you may find that the therapist is a strong fit for you. In your first appointment, gauge your fit. Tune in to your gut feelings to evaluate whether the therapist is a good fit for you. You don’t have to decide on the first appointment, as you’ll learn more about your best fit over time.
Laying out the logistics of the sessions typically helps alleviate anxiety for many therapy-goers, so ask your therapist any questions you may have. These questions may include fees, cancellation policies, payment options, the therapist’s partnerships (some partner with psychiatrists and nutritionists), and how the interaction between sessions goes.
Phone therapy can be overwhelming for many people, but many find it’s an appealing alternative to traditional forms of treatment.