Online tools make mental health care accessible

Virtual therapy, whether via text, phone calls, videoconferencing, or email, has been around for decades, but really took off after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a 2021 trends report from the American Psychological Association (APA), Jeanine Turner, a telehealth expert and professor at Georgetown University, says without an event like the pandemic, the health care industry never would have fully embraced telehealth. 

When COVID-19 restrictions meant people weren’t able to go to in-person mental health visits, however, the industry had no choice but to adapt. “Now it’s taken off and there will be no going back,” she says.

An APA survey found that 64% of its members had no telehealth cases in May 2020, but once the pandemic took hold, 85% of members said they were seeing more than three-fourths of their caseload through teletherapy. Learn more at apa.org.

Barriers to rural care

According to an American Farm Bureau survey from December that examined the pandemic’s effects on mental health in rural America, half of rural adults think people in their community attach at least a fair amount of stigma to mental health, and 44% to seeking treatment or help for mental health. Nearly 90% of farmers said it’s important to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in the agriculture community.

When asked about barriers to seeking help for a mental health condition, 73% cited cost, 63% availability, 63% accessibility, 60% stigma, and 59% embarrassment.

Online treatment can help reduce or eliminate most, if not all, of those barriers, and its rise in availability means therapy is now a realistic option for rural residents.

Finding care

A quick online search for online therapists in your state can get you on the path to finding a match. 

Verywell Mind, a partner of the Cleveland Clinic, offers ratings and reviews for websites and apps that help users find therapists. It has awarded “Best Online Therapy Programs of 2021” to the following (click here to read full reviews and link to individual services).:

• Best overall: BetterHelp costs $240 to $360 per month, which may be reimbursed by insurance. It includes a 30- to 45-minute weekly session; virtual, audio, and live chat options; and unlimited anytime messaging.
• Runner-up overall: Talkspace online therapy offers three packages ranging from $260 to $400 per month, plus medication management, couples therapy, and teen therapy.
• Best client satisfaction: Rethink My HealthCare does not accept insurance, but monthly packages are $99 for singles, $129 for couples, and $159 for up to four family members. Membership includes anytime access to a therapist and medication management, but live messaging is not offered.
• Best for couples: ReGain costs $240 to $360 per month and includes unlimited messaging and communication via live chat, phone, or video. Members of the couple can access the therapist individually or together.
• Best for group therapy: Circles is $80 per month with live video and unlimited messaging. Topic-specific groups are led by licensed therapists or certified coaches and offer emotional support from other members as well.
• Best for Christians: Cornerstone Christian Counseling has a sliding scale of pricing ranging from $55 to $175 per session depending on the therapist, and it offers discounts for those with financial need. Specialties include trauma therapy, couples and premarriage counseling, and teen and family therapy.
• Best for flexible schedules: Amwell costs $109 to $129 per session and accepts many forms of insurance. Appointments with licensed therapists can be made on weekdays, evenings, and weekends.
• Best without insurance: Wellnite is one of the most affordable options at $75 per month. It offers medication and talk therapy but treats only anxiety and depression.
• Best with insurance: Cerebral is as low as $29 per month with insurance plus copay, and it ships medication directly to patients’ homes.

Factors to remember

Therapists must be licensed in the state where the patient lives, whether the sessions are online or in-person. Some therapists are licensed in multiple states, and some states offer reciprocity with others. 

If your insurance won’t help pay for virtual therapy, do an online search for services in your state. In light of the pandemic, many states are offering free counseling services.

There are some mental health issues and medications that require in-person visits. Still, online sessions can be a good starting point for someone who has never sought therapy. 

Give it a try

According to the APA, studies have shown telepsychology is as effective in most cases as in-person sessions. 

Online therapy makes it possible for the rural population to access mental health care. You can talk with a therapist from the comfort and privacy of your home at any time. 

Without having to think about getting to an in-person session, you can focus on finding the program and therapist that will work best for you.