What is teletherapy?

Teletherapy, sometimes referred to as virtual therapy, tele-health counseling, e-counseling, tele-mental health and video therapy, is counseling provided through a video platform (or by phone). Teletherapy provides a similar experience to Skype® or Facetime®, but on a more secure, encrypted, and HIPAA complaint video platform.

Testimonials from our Cherry Hill clients

“Using Zoom is a hassle-free solution during these trying times. I am relieved to still have “face-to-face” interaction and continue a personable line of communication with my therapist.”

“My husband and I both were impressed with how we were able to connect with our therapist through Zoom! It felt like we were right in the counseling office from the comfort of our own home. Now more than ever it is so important to stay connected and supported by others! We are so thankful for Cherry Hill’s accommodation during these uncertain times.” 

Teletherapy versus In-Person Counseling

Teletherapy is very similar to in-person counseling, but through a different medium. Through teletherapy you will receive the same warm, relational connection with your therapist as you would in the therapist’s office. The physical connection with the therapist such as hand-shakes, shared warm beverages, and some body language are diminished. However, new therapy experiences become possible through the teletherapy platform. The therapist now gets to be virtually “in the home” of the client and can quickly learn a great deal about the client’s family life and interests. Clients, especially children and teens, often show off collections, trophies, and even family pets. Many clients feel more comfortable and disinhibited when sharing personal stories while safely behind a screen – which is well-documented in research on telehealth.

While privacy and confidentiality laws still apply to the teletherapy platform, some clients may find it challenging to find a private and confidential space in their home when other family members are present and near-by. However, most clients, with some creativity and support from others in the home, are able to create a private environment in which they can engage their teletherapy session.

The effectiveness of teletherapy is supported by research and is recognized as a viable and effective form of treatment by state licensing boards, governing bodies, and most insurance companies. Most teletherapy clients are pleasantly surprised by how warm and personal therapy can feel over video.

Is my counseling still private if it’s over video chat?

Cherry Hill provides teletherapy using an upgraded version of Zoom for healthcare providers. This video platform is both encrypted and HIPAA compliant. Your privacy rights are exactly the same with tele-therapy as they are with in-person counseling. The guiding laws for both in-person and tele-health counseling are described by the Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act (IMHDDCA) and also the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Cherry Hill providers take great care to deliver teletherapy services in a secure and private setting. Information is also available to you to help ensure that your space is as confidential as possible. For more information on protecting your privacy during tele-health, download our “Cheat Sheet for New Teletherapy Clients” below.

Is teletherapy covered by my insurance?

During the COVID-19 crisis all insurance plans covered teletherapy temporarily during the Governor’s executive emergency order. New legislation in Illinois has picked up where the executive order left off in an effort to ensure teletherapy will continue to be a choice for insured individuals. However, there may still be some individual/private insurance plans that cease coverage for video sessions. Cherry Hill recommends that you contact your insurance company to verify that your plan does still cover teletherapy before making a decision about how you will receive counseling services.

If for some reason your insurance does not cover teletherapy, we have a large team of therapists who are routinely offering services in-person.

If you are interested in teletherapy, we encourage you to give it a try. We anticipate you will be pleasantly surprised by the warmth and personal care that teletherapy can provide.