Common questions about online therapy for private practice
What is online
therapy?
Online therapy is a method of delivering therapy, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, or mental health counseling, via the Internet. Online therapy has many different names (e.g., e-therapy, teletherapy, distance therapy, web therapy).
Is online therapy
approved?
Yes. Many national organizations approve online therapy:
- Online speech therapy is approved by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
- Online occupational therapy is approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
- Online physical therapy is approved by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
- Online mental counseling and other related therapies are approved by the American Psychological Association (APA), the American Counseling Association (ACA), and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
Is online therapy
effective?
A large body of research has indicated that online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy. Your provider can discuss this in more detail with you and provide you with specific research outcomes.
How does online
therapy work?
To participate in online therapy, you need a computer or a mobile device, an Internet connection, a built-in or external camera and microphone, and headphones. Your teletherapist will schedule an online session and conduct therapy using a teletherapy (telehealth) platform such as TheraPlatform.
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Is online therapy
secure and private?
Teletherapists should use a secure, HIPAA-compliant and fully encrypted telehealth or teletherapy platform to provide online services. It is teletherapists’ ethical responsibility to ensure that the privacy of their clients is protected. TheraPlatform meets and exceeds all HIPAA standards while general video conferencing tools used by the public, such as Skype, are not HIPAA-compliant.
Does insurance cover
online therapy?
Many insurance companies do cover online therapy. Therapists and their clients should contact insurance companies to verify online therapy coverage.
TheraPlatform, an all-in-one EHR, practice management and teletherapy tool was built for therapists to help them save time on admin tasks. Sign up for a free, 30-day trial with no credit card required. Cancel anytime.
More resources
- Therapy resources and worksheets
- Therapy private practice courses
- Ultimate teletherapy ebook
- The Ultimate Insurance Billing Guide for Therapists
- The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Private Therapy Practice
