Teletherapy
Teletherapy, also known as telehealth counseling, e-therapy or distance counseling, refers to the provision of mental health services through telecommunications technology. Rather than meeting in a traditional office setting, clients and counselors connect through various digital platforms to conduct therapeutic sessions.
Teletherapy Modalities
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Teletherapy Historical Context
The roots of teletherapy in the counseling profession trace back to the 1950s, when telephone counseling and crisis hotlines first emerged as a way to provide immediate support to individuals in distress. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, established in the 1960s, exemplified early adoption of technology-mediated mental health intervention. However, these early forms were primarily limited to crisis intervention rather than ongoing therapeutic relationships.
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The evolution accelerated in the 1990s with the advent of the internet and email communication. Mental health professionals began experimenting with email therapy and online support groups, though ethical guidelines and best practices had not yet been established. The early 2000s saw the emergence of dedicated teletherapy platforms and video conferencing software specifically designed for healthcare applications, incorporating HIPAA-compliant security features.
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Professional organizations began addressing teletherapy more formally in the 2010s. The American Counseling Association (ACA) released specific ethical codes addressing technology and social media in 2014, recognizing the growing prevalence of distance counseling. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 served as a catalyst for widespread adoption, with temporary regulatory flexibilities and insurance coverage expansions normalizing teletherapy as a standard mode of service delivery. Today, teletherapy is recognized as an evidence-based approach that, when implemented appropriately, can be as effective as traditional face-to-face counseling for many presenting concerns.