What Is Telehealth Counseling?

In a world where people are trying to maintain social distancing for safety, how do you make sure your teen gets the help they need? Whether they’re struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues, there are a variety of treatment options available. While you might be considering a residential treatment program, there is another choice. With telehealth counseling, you and your teen can meet with counselors, doctors, and others that are part of their treatment plan without having to go to a doctor’s office. Through virtual platforms, clients connect with their therapists and counselors to continue learning how to rebuild their lives. 

Learn more about what telehealth counseling is when you read on here!

What Is Telehealth Counseling?

Telehealth counseling involves using virtual platforms to connect counselors and other healthcare professionals with clients. Telehealth counseling sessions are similar to in-person sessions: counselors talk to clients about their progress in treatment and help them develop healthy coping skills. 

Consistency and length of treatment are two important aspects of successful mental health and substance abuse programs. Don’t let Covid interrupt the meaningful progress you’ve made so far just because you can’t go in to see a therapist.

Is Telehealth Addiction Treatment Effective?

While telehealth is definitely effective for those struggling with their mental health, telehealth for addiction treatment can also be an effective option for those who cannot make it to in-person substance abuse treatment. While in-person care, especially residential treatment, offers a high level of accountability and support, telehealth can make it easier to access care from different locations.

Because in telehealth sessions clients are talking with the same professionals that they would meet with for in-person treatment, the sessions are just as effective. It allows for more accountability from your teen in aftercare and ensures they have someone with which to share new concerns at any time.

What Are the Benefits of Telehealth Counseling?

Telehealth is not only effective, but provides a number of unique benefits as well. Some of these benefits include:

• Increased access to care – Clients who are sick or whose families are out of town can access care from wherever they are
• Flexible scheduling – Since telehealth treatment doesn’t involve a commute to a treatment center, these counseling sessions can be more convenient
• Comfortable environment – Many teens in treatment find that they are most comfortable in their home environment
• Consistency – Clients can continue treatment for longer through intensive outpatient programs or partial hospitalization programs

The best treatment programs are tailored to individual clients. After discussing your needs with a professional, you can develop a telehealth treatment plan that incorporates all the therapy modalities that are appropriate for your child.

Telehealth Counseling to Fit Your Life

Now that you know what telehealth counseling is, you can decide if it is an appropriate treatment option for your teen. Whether your teen is traveling with the family or social distancing due to Covid, telehealth is a viable option for beginning their care, adding to their current treatment plan, or continuing with aftercare.

What is Telehealth Counseling at Ascend?

While our main program is still residential, Ascend does incorporate telehealth into our treatment plans to ensure client safety during this difficult time. When we assess your child initially for admission, especially if they are out of state, we conduct interviews by phone. Additionally, our current treatment schedule includes twice weekly family therapy for most of our clients. We ask that families meet us by phone or through video chat instead of coming to our facility. Finally, all of our aftercare and alumni programs are conducted through video meetings including one-on-one check ins and support groups.

If you want to learn more about the steps Ascend has taken to keep you and your loved ones safe during the pandemic, check out our Coronavirus protocols today.

Ascend Healthcare provides a healing and welcoming environment for teens. Our focus on family, passion, and empowerment allow us to transform the lives of our clients and put them back on the right path. We provide a 45-90 day residential program for teens that includes numerous evidence-based therapies to help our clients succeed.