Springbank Medical Centre
205 - 460 Springbank Dr.
London, ON N6J 0A8
CANADA
205 - 460 Springbank Dr.
London, ON N6J 0A8
CANADA
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous impact on our lives, including our mental health. Canadians are increasingly seeking virtual therapy as a way to access mental health care remotely. Virtual therapy, also known as teletherapy or online therapy, involves meeting with a mental health professional over the internet using video, phone, or messaging apps.
In this article, we’ll explore what virtual therapy is, its benefits and challenges, and how it works in Canada. We’ll also provide some best practices for healthcare professionals to ensure they provide safe and effective virtual therapy to their clients.
Virtual therapy is a form of mental health care that is conducted remotely over the internet. It can take several forms, including videoconferencing, phone calls, or messaging apps. Virtual therapy can be used for a variety of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Virtual therapy has become increasingly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the need for physical distancing and the inability to meet in person. However, virtual therapy has been used for years in some countries and is becoming more widely accepted as an effective form of mental health care.
Virtual therapy and teletherapy are often used interchangeably to refer to mental health care provided remotely over the internet. However, there are some differences between these two terms.
Virtual therapy is a more general term that refers to any form of mental health care provided remotely, including videoconferencing, phone calls, and messaging apps. Teletherapy, on the other hand, specifically refers to therapy provided over the telephone.
Teletherapy has been used for many years in some countries and is still widely used in Canada. It can be particularly useful for people who do not have access to a reliable internet connection or for people who prefer to communicate over the phone.
However, teletherapy does have some limitations compared to virtual therapy. For example, it does not allow for visual cues, which can be important for understanding a patient’s emotional state. Teletherapy also does not allow for the use of video or messaging apps, which can limit the types of therapies that can be provided.
Virtual therapy, on the other hand, offers more flexibility and a wider range of options for mental health care. It allows for videoconferencing and messaging apps, which can be particularly useful for people who have difficulty communicating over the phone. Virtual therapy can also provide visual cues, which can improve the quality of therapy sessions.
Virtual therapy has several benefits for both patients and mental health professionals. Here are some of the most significant advantages of virtual therapy:
Virtual therapy makes mental health care accessible to people who might not be able to access it otherwise. This includes people who live in remote areas, people with disabilities or limited mobility, and people who are unable to leave their homes due to health conditions.
Virtual therapy is more convenient than traditional therapy because it allows patients to meet with their mental health professionals from the comfort of their own homes. This means that patients do not need to spend time travelling to appointments or taking time off work.
Virtual therapy reduces the stigma associated with seeking mental health care because it can be done privately from the patient’s home. This makes it easier for patients to seek help without worrying about being seen going into a therapist’s office.
Virtual therapy can help ensure continuity of care for patients who need ongoing mental health support. This is particularly important for people with chronic mental health conditions who require regular check-ins and monitoring.
While virtual therapy has several benefits, it also comes with some challenges. Here are some of the most significant challenges of virtual therapy:
Virtual therapy relies on technology, which means that technical difficulties can occur. This can disrupt therapy sessions and make it difficult for mental health professionals to provide the level of care that their patients need.
Virtual therapy can limit the ability of mental health professionals to assess nonverbal cues and body language, which are important in understanding a patient’s emotional state. This can make it more challenging to diagnose and treat mental health conditions.
Virtual therapy can also lead to miscommunication or misunderstanding between mental health professionals and their patients. This can occur due to technical difficulties, language barriers, or cultural differences.
Virtual therapy involves sharing personal information over the internet, which can lead to privacy and security concerns. Mental health professionals must take steps to ensure that patient information is secure and confidential.
Virtual therapy has become increasingly popular in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are several regulations and policies that mental health professionals must follow when providing virtual therapy in Canada.
One of the main challenges facing mental health professionals in Canada is the lack of a standardized accreditation process for virtual therapy. However, many mental health professionals have been able to adapt to virtual therapy through continuing education and training programs.
In Canada, mental health professionals who provide virtual therapy are regulated by their provincial or territorial regulatory body. Each province or territory has different regulations, but most require mental health professionals to hold a license to practice and adhere to ethical and professional standards.
There are also reimbursement and billing policies for virtual therapy in Canada. Many private insurance companies cover virtual therapy sessions, and the Canadian government has provided funding for mental health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health professionals can also bill provincial health care plans for virtual therapy sessions.
To provide safe and effective virtual therapy, mental health professionals should follow these best practices:
Mental health professionals should use secure and encrypted platforms for virtual therapy sessions to protect patient confidentiality and privacy. They should also have a clear policy on how patient information is collected, stored, and shared.
Mental health professionals should establish clear communication with their patients before and during virtual therapy sessions. This includes obtaining informed consent and explaining the risks and benefits of virtual therapy.
Mental health professionals should be familiar with different virtual platforms and technologies and be able to adapt to new tools as needed. They should also ensure that their patients have access to the necessary technology and internet connection for virtual therapy sessions.
Mental health professionals should have a plan in place to provide appropriate resources and referrals for patients in crisis. This includes having a clear protocol for emergency situations and knowing when to refer patients to in-person care.
One mental health clinic adapted to virtual therapy is Archways Centre for CBT, a private psychology clinic based in Ontario. Archways Centre for CBT is dedicated to using evidence-based therapies grounded in cognitive-behavioural therapies (CBT) to help adults, adolescents, and children improve their lives. The clinic provides virtual sessions, as well as in-person therapy sessions.
Virtual therapy has become an increasingly popular form of mental health care in Canada, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides many benefits, including increased accessibility and reduced stigma, but also comes with some challenges, such as technical difficulties and limited nonverbal cues.
Mental health professionals who provide virtual therapy must adhere to regulations and policies set by their provincial or territorial regulatory body and follow best practices to provide safe and effective care. As mental health clinics like Archways Centre for CBT continue to adapt to virtual therapy, Canadians can access mental health care from the comfort of their own homes.
