Telehealth is a mini-revolution to psychotherapy. Prior to Covid, the spatial boundary of therapy was expected to be Face to Face in the therapy rooms. Along with the designated time, the space where you meet your therapist is known as the frame. The frame assures you a confidential space where privacy is respected and trust can be built. It also helps you to take a break from other spaces (ie home, work) so you can focus on the therapy.
Telehealth was forced on everybody out of the necessity of the health crisis. Since then, it has become part of our culture. Medicare now offers rebates for two items - telephone and video. New software and small business therapy models are blossoming around it. But what are the pros and cons, if any? How do we maintain that important frame?
A recent study by Melbourne group, Raymond et al. (see below) compared Telehealth with Face to Face therapy. They concluded: “Many allied health interventions are equally as effective as face-to-face when delivered via telehealth. Incorporating telehealth into models of care may afford greater access to allied health professionals, however further comparative research is still required.”
Client and therapist usually have a chat at the beginning about how therapy is set up, with an opportunity to ask questions. Telehealth is no exception.There are more choices on the technical delivery of therapy than when you just a visit a room. Here are some things to consider:
Telehealth is a different sort of frame because it introduces technology as a noise factor. It could potentially be more psychologically distancing than Face to Face. At the same time, it overcomes physical distance, making therapy more accessible for everybody.
Raymond, M.J, Christie, L.J, Kramer, S., Malaguti, C., Mok, Z., Gardner, B., Giummarra, M.J., Alves-Stein, S., Hudson, C. Featherston, J., Holland, A.E. & Lannin, N.A. (2024) Delivery of Allied Health Interventions using Telehealth Modalities: A rapid systematic review of randomized controlled trials, Healthcare 12 (1217) https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12121217.
Telehealth was forced on everybody out of the necessity of the health crisis. Since then, it has become part of our culture. Medicare now offers rebates for two items - telephone and video. New software and small business therapy models are blossoming around it. But what are the pros and cons, if any? How do we maintain that important frame?
A recent study by Melbourne group, Raymond et al. (see below) compared Telehealth with Face to Face therapy. They concluded: “Many allied health interventions are equally as effective as face-to-face when delivered via telehealth. Incorporating telehealth into models of care may afford greater access to allied health professionals, however further comparative research is still required.”
Client and therapist usually have a chat at the beginning about how therapy is set up, with an opportunity to ask questions. Telehealth is no exception.There are more choices on the technical delivery of therapy than when you just a visit a room. Here are some things to consider:
- Do you have a private and comfortable space?
- Is your physical space safe?
- What’s your best technology?
- And what’s your second best technology? if the first one fails or the internet drops out.
- How do you feel about it? What is most comfortable?
Telehealth is a different sort of frame because it introduces technology as a noise factor. It could potentially be more psychologically distancing than Face to Face. At the same time, it overcomes physical distance, making therapy more accessible for everybody.
Raymond, M.J, Christie, L.J, Kramer, S., Malaguti, C., Mok, Z., Gardner, B., Giummarra, M.J., Alves-Stein, S., Hudson, C. Featherston, J., Holland, A.E. & Lannin, N.A. (2024) Delivery of Allied Health Interventions using Telehealth Modalities: A rapid systematic review of randomized controlled trials, Healthcare 12 (1217) https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12121217.
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