Partner post: 5 reasons to consider adding teletherapy to your practice

By TheraPlatform

Let’s be honest. Teletherapy (i.e., telemental health, telehealth, online therapy, etc.) has become the hottest way to deliver great therapy services. Once the realm of doctors and medical centers, telehealth has found its way into mainstream healthcare in a big, big way. And that includes mental health. Therapists can now be available in ways that work with their clientele and enhance their practice.

So you’ve probably been kicking the idea around for a bit. You’ve read all the rave reviews of telehealth. You’ve checked out the requirements. You may have even done some training. The only thing left is to decide whether or not you want to add telehealth to your practice. If you still need a reason to offer telehealth, read on:

Telehealth increases availability

The number of clients who actually make it into a therapist’s office is small compared to the number of clients who wish they could. Geography or schedules, even transportation issues, can be significant barriers to clients accessing in-person care.

Adding telehealth removes those barriers. Clients can access care from where they are and at times that work for them. That means more accessibility for clients and more potential clients for you.

Telehealth increases flexibility of scheduling

Sometimes, we adopt a work schedule because we think that’s the schedule we’re “supposed” to have. It might look good on paper, but if you have large blocks of time going unfilled, you’re not using your time to your advantage. And the fact is, in a fee-for-service profession, time is money.

Telehealth allows you to schedule your clients in ways that work for both you and your clients. Instead of a rigid “9 to 5” schedule or working split days to accommodate evening clients, you can design a schedule that works with your practice’s unique scheduling needs.

Telehealth is cost-effective

The cost of adding telehealth to your practice is relatively low. You most likely have a computer and reliable internet access as part of your practice already. Video conferencing platforms vary greatly in price but many, such as TheraPlatform, offer a variety of reasonably priced fee options to fit even the leanest budget.

Depending on where you choose to practice, the cost of leasing space may be significantly reduced or eliminated. Many practitioners opt to utilize a home office, shared space, or other secure location.

Telehealth removes barriers

Telehealth allows therapists and clients to connect in ways never before possible. Clients in the most remote areas can now access quality care. Therapists in the most remote areas can establish a practice that can reach across their state. Telehealth eliminates the time and expense of extended travel to access services.

Many clients are uneasy with the idea of going to therapy and meeting with a stranger. Clients who are uncomfortable with in-person counseling can now reach out in ways that feel safe and inviting. They can see you in their home or other private place that helps them feel comfortable.

Telehealth grows your practice

This reason might surprise you. The fact is, you might keep a full-time schedule on paper, but the chances of your schedule being full and all of your clients showing consistently are not great. In fact, some of the biggest time and money drains that a clinician experiences are no shows and late cancellations. How can you fill a late cancel?

Say your 4 p.m. client calls and says they have to miss because they have to work late. Normally, you’d have to take the late cancel, maybe charge a fee and sit for an hour until your next client. Telehealth gives you a way to possibly save that appointment or offer it to another client. What if you could tell your client that you could see them a bit later via video session? Or, maybe you have a later telehealth client willing to move their time up or a client who has been waiting to see you and is open to telehealth? Spot filled.

Telehealth is also great for practice building. We all have those spots in our schedules that just always seem to go unfilled. Why not designate those spots as telehealth appointments? Those times might just be the ideal times for people open to telehealth. Think lunch hour spots, heavy commute time spots, early morning – those times that seem to be rife with cancels, no shows, or no interest. They might just be your telehealth sweet spot.

When you’re ready to add telehealth to your practice, look for a platform built specifically for therapists. Designed for therapists, TheraPlatform offers a HIPAA-secure, fully integrated, multifunctional platform that will have your telehealth practice up and running in no time, plus you can utilize it for office practice as well.

TheraPlatform is offering you a free trial so that you can experience the TheraPlatform difference. No credit card is required to sign up.