This year has seen so many changes in the way we communicate with others. Social distancing protocols mean we need to maintain increased distances; limitations on public and private gatherings have affected small and large-scale events; restaurants and other client-serving businesses have seen massive closures and/or limited hours; in-office workspaces have transitioned to incorporate a work-from-home model.
Before the pandemic began, it was estimated that one in every five Americans was affected by a mental health challenge. Now, in the wake of COVID-19, those figures could be even higher. Mental health providers have been working hard to ensure that all individuals affected by the pandemic have access to resources and professional therapy and treatment modalities.
COVID-19 has also lent itself to increased substance use habits. With an increase in difficult situations, changing lifestyles and financial pressure, many have fought drug and alcohol use issues. Although many substance use rehab programs cannot see clients in person, virtual counseling measures have allowed those same healthcare providers to provide high-level care for anyone experiencing the adverse effects of substance use tendencies.
Teletherapy offers a viable option for so many people currently battling substance use habits. And although there are several differences between teletherapy and the traditional, in-person rehab model, virtual counseling nevertheless gives therapists a chance to help people through life challenges, offering alternatives to the self-destructive behaviors they might be facing.
Counselors haven’t allowed a pandemic to get in the way of providing rehab services to people who need them. Here are five proven benefits to the rehab teletherapy model:
1. The same treatment, a more convenient delivery method
Make no mistake: substance use rehab delivered through teletherapy is by no means a “watered down” version of traditional, in-person therapy. Rather, you’ll experience the same core benefits to rehab, simply delivered through a new method of communication. You’ll still experience a similar number of overall sessions with your counselor, where a licensed healthcare professional will take the time to better understand your individual situation, before recommending participation in the best treatment modalities to help you gain control of your life and your struggles.
2. Increased access to therapy
As long as you have access to a computer, a reliable power source and a stable internet connection, you can enjoy all of the benefits to substance use rehab through teletherapy. This means that individuals who before had trouble getting to the rehab office can now access all of the same benefits, without having to drive anywhere. In addition, anyone without a car is no longer inhibited from receiving substance use rehab, given its new online format. You’ll save on gas, and eliminate all time spent in the car and in an office waiting room, once you take advantage of rehab’s new teletherapy option.
3. Engaging technology
One of the main reasons why people are so hesitant to participate in teletherapy is the fact that they don’t trust the technology. When it comes to most reliable rehab providers – including our own practices here at Rehab After Work – the objection simply holds no weight. We route all of our online rehab through a secure teletherapy platform. You’ll enjoy a secure, HIPAA-compliant online conferencing connection, through a confidential network that prevents any of your call details from leaking. Your information will only be available to two parties: you and your therapist.
4. All the comforts of home
Perhaps the most obvious benefit to rehab through teletherapy, you’ll be able to enjoy all of the benefits of home even while fully participating in substance use rehab. Feel free to take your teletherapy call from anywhere in the house, as long as you can establish a secure, consistent internet connection. You can wear a comfortable outfit of your choosing, sit in your favorite chair, and even enjoy a snack of a comforting meal while the session progresses.
We understand how important it is to feel fully comfortable during a teletherapy session; the more comfortable and at ease a client is, the more likely he or she is to openly and honestly communicate with their healthcare provider, for a complete dialogue that helps address any challenges you’re facing. Don’t be afraid to make the most of your home setting during your call: light candles, play soft music, set comfortable lighting, or whatever it takes to put you in a mental state of relaxation and openness.
5. A flexible schedule
Teletherapy also offers you the benefit of flexible scheduling. As long as your rehab provider has an opening, you can schedule your teletherapy call during a time that works best for you. This means that unlike so many traditional rehab environments, where you’ll have to schedule your rehab around the rest of your day, teletherapy allows you to do nearly the opposite: you can fit your teletherapy counseling session into your existing schedule, thanks to therapists who can work with your agenda to find a time that works for everyone.
Achieving sobriety through teletherapy
Despite the differences in format and application between traditional and virtual substance use rehab, teletherapy serves as a great method to help connect you with substance use resources and professional help. Teletherapy protects your identity, accommodates your calendar and fosters recovery from day one. Call (610) 644-6464, or visit Rehab After Work online, for even more information on our services or to schedule your first teletherapy appointment today.
