Bridging the Distance: Why Telehealth Therapy is Just as Effective

By Andy Anderson


Welcome to Telementalhealth

Hey there! I’m Andy, a therapist who specializes in training parents to better manage and change their children’s Disruptive Behavior Problems (Engelbrektsson et al., 2023a; Engelbrektsson et al., 2023b; Engelbrektsson et al., 2023c), reduce Anxiety (Lebowitz, 2020; SPACE, n.d.), and Depression (Eckshtain et al., 2015). Behavioral Parent Training research into the effectiveness of treating ADHD has found promising yet inconclusive positive results (12 Behavioral Programs for Managing ADHD, 2018; Ciesielski et al., 2019; Hornstra et al., 2023).

My approach to child therapy, Parent Training, focuses on empowering parents to provide a home environment that enhances and treats their child’s recovery from behavioral, emotional, and social problems. And guess what? I offer counseling services exclusively through Telementalhealth or Live Online, as I call it.

Why Telementalhealth?

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve shifted my private practice to Live Online counseling exclusively. In 2020, I started offering Live Online Counseling out of necessity, and I’ve been working solely online ever since. And you know what? I’ve found Live Online counseling to be at least if not more effective than in-office therapy for many types of mental health therapy.

The Research Behind Telementalhealth

Let’s dive into the research. Telementalhealth isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a fantastic way to receive effective mental health services from your home. Here’s what the studies say:

Effectiveness: Research by Hilty et al. (2013) and Fernandez et al. (2021) shows that Telementalhealth is no less effective than face-to-face therapy. Whether your child is dealing with anxiety or depression or you are experiencing parenting challenges, you can expect quality treatment Live Online under the guidance of an experienced online therapist.

Client Satisfaction: Jenkins-Guarnieri et al. (2015) systematically reviewed Client perceptions of telementalhealth compared to in-person psychotherapeutic treatments. Overall, Client treatment satisfaction and therapeutic alliance ratings were comparable between Telementalhealth (TMH) and in-person therapy. However, some Clients expressed potential discomfort with aspects of group treatment delivered via TMH.

Convenience: Imagine no more battling traffic or finding childcare. With Telementalhealth, you can attend individual counseling, group sessions, or Parent Training—all virtually. It’s a safe space to focus on your well-being and your family.

Flexibility: Connolly et al. (2020) found that therapists prefer to offer appointments when clients are available. Therapy can occur wherever and whenever you and your therapist are available. That means your appointment may occur during your lunch break at work, when your child is playing outside, or at any time that fits your and your therapist’s schedule.

Is Telementalhealth Right for You?

Whether you’re a busy parent seeking guidance on behavior management or a parent seeking counseling for their child or teen, Telementalhealth offers a flexible option. Take advantage of this powerful tool to prioritize your child’s mental health.

Remember, you’re not alone—there’s support available virtually.

Feel free to share this blog with anyone who might benefit from Telementalhealth Therapy!

 


References:

12 behavioral programs for managing ADHD. (2018, May 8). CHADD. https://chadd.org/adhd-weekly/12-behavioral-programs-for-managing-adhd/

 

Ciesielski, H. A., Loren, R. E. A., & Tamm, L. (2019). Behavioral parent training for ADHD reduces situational severity of child noncompliance and related parental stress. Journal of Attention Disorders, 24(5), 758–767. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054719843181

 

Connolly, S. L., Miller, C. J., Lindsay, J. A., & Bauer, M. S. (2020). A systematic review of providers’ attitudes toward telemental health via videoconferencing. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 27(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/cpsp.12311

 

Engelbrektsson, J., Salomonsson, S., Högström, J., Sorjonen, K., Sundell, K., & Forster, M. (2023a). Parent training via internet or in Group for Disruptive Behaviors: A randomized clinical noninferiority trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 62(9), 987–997. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2023.01.019

 

Engelbrektsson, J., Salomonsson, S., Högström, J., Sorjonen, K., Sundell, K., & Forster, M. (2023b). Is internet-based parent training for everyone? Predictors and moderators of outcomes in group vs. internet-based parent training for children with disruptive behavior problems. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 171, 104426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2023.104426

 

Engelbrektsson, J., Salomonsson, S., Högström, J., Sorjonen, K., Sundell, K., & Forster, M. (2023c). Is internet-based parent training for everyone? Predictors and moderators of outcomes in group vs. internet-based parent training for children with disruptive behavior problems. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 171, 104426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2023.104426

 

Eckshtain, D., Kuppens, S., & Weisz, J. R. (2015). Amelioration of child depression through behavioral parent training: A preliminary study. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 46(4), 611–618. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2015.1050722

 

 

Fernandez, E., Woldgabreal, Y., Day, A., Pham, T., Gleich, B., & Aboujaoude, E. (2021). Live psychotherapy by video versus in‐person: A meta‐analysis of efficacy and its relationship to types and targets of treatment. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 28(6), 1535–1549. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2594

 

Jenkins-Guarnieri, M. A., Pruitt, L. D., Luxton, D. D., & Johnson, K. (2015). Patient perceptions of telemental health: Systematic review of direct comparisons to in-person psychotherapeutic treatments. Telemedicine and E-Health, 21(8), 652–660. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2014.0165

 

Hilty, D. M., Ferrer, D. C., Parish, M. B., Johnston, B., Callahan, E. J., & Yellowlees, P. M. (2013). The Effectiveness of Telemental Health: A 2013 review. Telemedicine and E-Health, 19(6), 444–454. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2013.0075

Hornstra, R., Onghena, P., van den Hoofdakker, B. J., van der Veen-Mulders, L., Luman, M., Staff, A. I., & van der Oord, S. (2023). Components of behavioral parent training for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A series of replicated single-case experiments. Behavior Modification, 47(5), 1042–1070. https://doi.org/10.1177/01454455231162003

 

Lebowitz, E. R. (2020). Breaking free of child anxiety and OCD. Oxford University Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/med-psych/9780190883522.001.0001

 

SPACE. (n.d.). SPACE Treatment. https://www.spacetreatment.net/


 


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