Technology…it’s everywhere. There is hardly anything you have to leave your house for these days, and now therapy sessions are included in that category. The wave of future healthcare is moving rapidly towards telehealth, including online therapy. Computers will be essential in the management of our medical care. Now you can receive the medical help you need, without even having to leave your home.
What is online therapy?
The delivery of online therapy services via two-way video conferencing is also known as teletherapy. Online therapy sessions are nearly identical to traditional speech or occupational therapy sessions. The difference is, instead of sitting together in the same room, clients and therapists interact via live video conferencing. Through this web-based conferencing, a virtual environment is created through use of a phone, computer, tablet or other web enabled device. Participants can interact in real-time through audio and video with authentic images, video, and learning materials.
Who should use online therapy?
Teletherapy is widely used with many populations, however it is not appropriate for all persons and situations. Clinicians must consider a client’s physical and sensory characteristics, cognitive functioning, behavior, communication skills, and level of support prior to the start of online therapy services. Most companies offer consultations to determine eligibility prior to signing up for virtual services. It is important to make sure that someone in the household has basic computer skills, such as the ability to open their email and click the link to the “virtual session”.
Some clients may present with physical or cognitive challenges that prevent them from participating in an online therapy session in isolation. For those clients, using an aide, assistant or caregiver is recommended to help to provide them with the benefits of a teletherapy session. In general, clients should be able to maintain attention, follow simple commands and manipulate a computer mouse or touchscreen. Teletherapists should develop personalized protocols for each client to determine candidacy, interventions and modifications relative to each population they work with. At present, online therapy is used with school-aged kids all the way up through senior adults with benefits proven across the board in all age groups.
Why use online therapy?
Speech therapy and occupational therapy telepractice is emerging as a standard of care that promises to be equal to or better than traditional face-to-face sessions. For some, the reason to use online therapy centers around the their location. Perhaps the client lives in a rural area where access to traditional services is not available. Or perhaps the specialist they wish to see is not located in the city they live. This was the initial driving force behind creating telepractice in general, however it also gave way to new ideas. We have now discovered that teletherapy can be useful for many people, even for those who aren’t living in rural areas. Some of the client benefits of web-based speech, occupational and physical therapy include convenience, quality of services, selection of the “right” therapist and use of extensive media resources. In the age of technology, many clients find virtual sessions to be less intimidating than face-to-face assessments. As a result, may clients exhibit better outcomes and participation.
How does online therapy work?
In order to participate in online therapy services, the clients must have access to some basic equipment including a computer, a web camera (either built in or separate) and a high speed internet connection. Participants may also consider using a headset with attached microphone for improved audio quality. In addition to the above equipment, the teletherapist must choose a HIPPA compliant platform to conduct the sessions. These protected platforms will allow therapists to chat, screen share and manipulate treatment materials simultaneously to allow for an interactive experience for their clients.
Where can I get online therapy?
Online therapy can occur anywhere the basic equipment set up is available, but there are considerations to think about when conducting a virtual session. It is recommended that both the client and the therapist choose locations that minimize visual and auditory distractions. In addition, rooms should have adequate lighting and provide comfort and safety so as not to detract from the session once it begins. Both parties should choose a space where the confidentiality and privacy of all client’s data and information can stay protected and secure to meet HIPAA and FERPA regulations. It is the regulation of most states that the therapists providing the service must be licensed in the state in which the therapist is actually conducting the session, as well as the state in which the client resides. Currently, teletherapy takes place in schools, medical centers, child-care centers, outpatient and inpatient facilities, corporate settings and private homes.
When can online therapy help me or my loved one?
Many medical professionals are using telepractice and online therapy to help manage their patients and provide them with the best care, at the lowest cost and with the greatest efficiency. As a result, teletherapy use is growing at a rapid pace for doctors, nurses, psychologists, therapists and the like. Speech therapists use online therapy to address areas such as speech and language skills, swallowing deficits, voice disorders, aphasia and cognitive decline. Occupational therapists help patients with self care, fine and gross motor skills, coordination tasks, visual deficits and executive function impairments. Physical therapists typically target orthopedic conditions, women’s pelvic health during pregnancy, fall prevention and home exercise programs. If you are a patient or caregiver who has difficulty getting to the doctor or therapist office, then teletherapy is the solution you’ve been waiting for.
With the ever-changing world we live in and the increasing popularity of everything digital, telehealth and teletherapy are some of the fastest growing areas in the medical field. If you have further questions or comments or would like more information on online therapy services, please leave us a note in the forum or drop us a quick email and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have. We look forward to meeting you all in our “virtual office”.
The information you need . . Straight Up!
You may also be interested in :