
COVID-19 certainly caused many changes in the world. It opened us to several possibilities, increased interest in certain areas, and propagated many technological advancements.
One area that received much interest was the use of virtual services.
Were there virtual services before COVID-19? Of course.
But were they as publicized and preferred as they are now? Not in the least.
People became more reliant on virtual services during and after COVID. The comfort, accessibility, and privacy levels are beyond comparable.
Teletherapy is a virtual service that has gained more attention and popularity.
Jumping into the trend is one thing, but as a professional, it is crucial to understand the best practices for teletherapy services before deciding to venture into it.
What Is Teletherapy?
Teletherapy is the use of telecommunications to provide mental health services to a client.
Teletherapy is also known as e-therapy, telemental health, tele-counseling, online therapy, virtual therapy, cyber counseling, and remote therapy.
It involves using video conferencing software, mobile messaging, internet phones, emails, chats, and other telecommunications.
However, regardless of what platform or form of telecommunication is used in your teletherapy practice, you must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This act ensures that patient information and privacy are protected.
Benefits of Teletherapy
Here are some listed benefits of teletherapy services:
1. Convenience and accessibility
Remember those days of rushing to physical appointments, battling sudden traffic, and squeezing your therapy sessions into a hectic schedule?
Teletherapy helps to break down these barriers.
You can connect with your therapist from anywhere with a stable internet connection. This could be your living room, a restaurant, a coffee shop, the comfort of your car, etc.
The choice is yours.
This flexibility makes therapy more accessible, especially for those with busy lifestyles or limited mobility, like older adults.
2. Reduced stigma
As much as we advocate for mental health awareness, there remains some form of stigma associated with needing or seeking therapy.
If you are someone who worries about what others think, seeking therapy can feel intimidating and stigmatizing.
With teletherapy, you can meet a therapist from the comfort of your home, away from prying eyes and without judgment—no more awkward waiting rooms or running into friends or colleagues.
It’s your personal space, your healing journey, on your terms.
3. Flexible scheduling
Life happens to everyone, and schedules can be unpredictable. The good news is that teletherapy offers flexible scheduling options, allowing you to find appointment times that best fit your lifestyle and other commitments.
You don’t need to rush to make it on time or reschedule due to unexpected events.

4. A wider range of therapists
Teletherapy expands your options beyond the local therapy services.
You can connect with specialists worldwide, like occupational therapists, aging-in-place specialists, etc.
This increases your chances of finding the therapist that best fits your needs and preferences.
5. Improved consistency
Let’s be honest: sometimes, life gets in the way of in-person appointments.
Weather, traffic, or unexpected events can disrupt your daily routine and appointments.
However, teletherapy minimizes these obstacles, making it easier to maintain that consistent flow.
This is an excellent benefit in therapy because a missed session can cause a mental relapse, and consistency helps to build a strong therapist-client relationship, maximizing the effect of your sessions.
6. Reduced anxiety
This benefit is similar to reduced stigma.
For some people, the thought of traditional therapy can result in anxiety. It could be due to physically meeting a stranger or not being in a familiar environment.
Regardless of the case, teletherapy provides a comfortable and familiar setting, reducing anxiety and making it easier to open up and share your thoughts and feelings.
9 Best Practices for Teletherapy (for Therapists)
Here are some of the best practices for teletherapy for therapists:
1. Optimize your therapy space
A good practice for teletherapy is creating a professional and private environment at home.
This will be your workstation.
Choose a quiet room with no distractions. You can incorporate a neutral background to help your clients focus on the session.
Good lighting is crucial for clear video quality.
Even though you’re not physically in the same room, a well-organized space can help set a positive tone for your sessions and help the client feel relaxed and comfortable.
2. Ensure technological reliability
Let’s talk about tech.
This is a crucial aspect of your teletherapy practice. Teletherapy depends on technology; reliable technology is necessary for smooth therapy sessions.
Invest in a high-quality webcam and microphone to ensure good audio and video quality.
Always test your network and video conferencing platform before the session starts to identify and resolve technical issues.
More importantly, have a stable internet connection to avoid interruptions during therapy sessions.
3. Prepare resources ahead
I learned this saying during high school: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
Planning ahead of each session is one of the most important best practices for teletherapy and any therapy session.
Prepare all the necessary resources for the client, including reviewing client histories, notes, and treatment plans.
Having these resources readily available will save time and allow you to focus on your clients’ needs.
4. Establish clear communication protocols
Clear communication is another necessary practice for successful teletherapy.
Establish clear communication with your clients, such as scheduling sessions, contacting you between sessions, and handling emergencies.
Ensure you use a secure messaging platform to exchange vital information and documents. This helps to protect your clients’ information and privacy.
You should discuss preferred methods of communication (phone, video call, or chat) with your clients and discuss your availability and response time for urgent matters.
All these will ensure you’re on the same page and significantly reduce communication gaps.

5. Minimize distractions
Minimize distractions as much as possible during your sessions.
Having and optimizing your teletherapy space can take care of distractions from family and friends.
However, during the session, you must close unnecessary tabs on your computer and turn off notifications on your phone.
Opened tabs can distract you, while phone notifications can disrupt communication between you and your client.
You can opt for noise-canceling headphones if needed to reduce background noise.
6. Foster open communication
Encourage open and honest communication with your clients.
Create a safe and supportive space where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings.
The key to open communication is active listening. Pay close attention to your client’s words, ask clarifying questions, and validate their experiences.
7. Schedule sessions strategically.
Despite teletherapy’s convenience and stress-free nature, one significant constraint is the time difference.
This applies to most virtual services.
When scheduling sessions, consider your clients’ time zones and optimal hours for engagement.
For example, you don’t want to call too early or late.
This means you need to have an effective onboarding session where you and your client can discuss the optimal time for the sessions.
Be flexible and accommodate their needs as much as possible, especially if they have busy schedules or work commitments.
Consistent scheduling can help establish a routine and improve adherence to therapy.
8. Follow up
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-up.
After each session, send a brief email or message summarizing key points and providing additional resources.
It shows your clients that you care and are committed to their well-being.
9. Seek feedback and improve
Regularly seek feedback from your clients about their experience with your teletherapy sessions.
Ask about their satisfaction, the platform’s effectiveness, tools, and overall ambiance.
You can request suggestions for improvement and use the feedback to adjust your approach and optimize your teletherapy practice.

Conclusion
As a therapist, the benefits of teletherapy combined with traditional in-patient service are enormous.
However, implementing the best practices for teletherapy discussed in this article is necessary for the cons to outweigh the pros.
You do not want to be a therapist who claims to practice teletherapy but constantly encounters network glitches, cannot establish a rapport with their patient, or has scheduling conflicts.
Understanding these practices will help you transition and navigate effectively without harming your business or reputation.
At Serenity Pas Therapy, we offer both in-patient and teletherapy services. With years of experience using the best practices for teletherapy, we have helped our clients achieve their desired results.
Learn more about us at Serenity Pas Therapy!
READ MORE: THE 5 BEST OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES IN MCKINNEY, TEXAS