Examining the Pros and Cons of Phone Therapy

Telephone therapy has taken on greater significance in the mental health industry in wake of the covid-19 pandemic. While some individuals may have avoided telephone therapy in the past, the temporary closure of mental health offices and the necessity of social distancing have resulted in an increasing number of people asking for more information on this form of treatment. 

But is telephone therapy effective? A 2002 study published in the Journal of Counseling Psychology states that telephone therapy “was helpful for both global and speck improvement.” The respondents in the study also indicated that the counseling relationship in telephone therapy is similar to face-to-face counseling. 

In this article, we will consider some of the benefits of phone therapy as well as some of the drawbacks you need to keep in mind if you are currently considering telephone therapy for yourself or a loved one. 

Advantages of Telephone Therapy

• You choose your counselor. No need to see a therapist simply because he or she is the closest mental health provider to your home.
• You do not have to set appointments. Accessing mental health care is easy and does not require you to fill out tons of paperwork. However you can set appointments if you wish to see the same therapist on a specific day at a specific time.
• Phone therapy is available 24/7. No need to change your schedule or rush to see your therapist before his or her office closes.
• You can save money. Phone therapy is often more affordable than traditional face-to-face therapy
• You are in the comfort of your own home. This may help you to relax and open up about the issues you are experiencing.
• You can protect your privacy. You can disable your camera and communicate with your therapist by audio only. Also, your neighbors and friends will never see you enter a therapist’s office.
• You are physically separated from your therapist. This is essential for minimizing the spread of Covid-19 and helpful for clients who are anxious about counseling.
• No need to travel. Effective care is available, even if (1) your community is under lockdown due to the covid-19 pandemic, (2) you live in a remote area, or (3) you have chronic health issues.

Despite the many benefits of telephone therapy, there are some potential challenges you should think about. A few of these are listed below.

Disadvantages of Telephone Therapy

• You need to figure out what plan works best for you. Telephone therapy services may be offered in a variety of ways. Some services request that you purchase “bundles of minutes,” some work by subscriptions, and others use a system that is unique to their platform. You need to evaluate your options and pick the one that suits your personal circumstances.
• Your session may be interrupted. As your sessions will likely be conducted in your home, they have a greater chance of being interrupted by family members or unexpected visitors.
• Your therapeutic progress may slow down. While some individuals are more likely to open up on the phone, others prefer to discuss their issues face-to-face with their counselor. If you fall into the latter category, your telephone therapy sessions may be less productive than those at your therapist’s office.

As shown, telephone therapy is not for everyone. Nevertheless, it has proven to be extremely convenient for people who are comfortable speaking with their therapist on the phone. If you need mental health services but are unable to see your therapist in person, consider telephone therapy. You may be surprised at how fast, easy, and effective this form of mental health care can be.

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