Before the pandemic, talking to a therapist or psychiatrist on a video call was novel. Now it’s fairly common. One recent analysis, for example, found that video appointments within the massive Veterans Affairs Health Care System jumped from about 2% of all mental health care encounters in January 2019 to 35% of these encounters in August 2023.

What are some advantages and disadvantages of virtual mental health care visits? Does seeing a therapist or psychiatrist by video instead of in person affect your response to treatment? If you haven’t yet used virtual mental health counseling, what do you need to know? Below, Stephanie Collier, M.D., MPH, a psychiatrist at Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital, shares her expertise and insights.

What are some advantages of virtual mental health visits?

Virtual visits are convenient for many people, including those who might have trouble getting to an office or who live in areas where it’s not easy to find mental health care providers.

“You can chat with your mental health care clinician in the setting of your choice, which might make you feel more comfortable,” says Collier. “You don’t have to worry about getting to and from an appointment. And you can be confident that your outcome will be similar to receiving in-person treatment. For example, in a 2022 study of about 1,500 people, participants being treated for anxiety or depression reported the same level of symptom improvement on standardized scales, whether they received virtual or in-person treatment.”

How do virtual visits work?

A virtual visit with a mental health care clinician works in much the same way as a virtual visit with your doctor.

You make an appointment to speak with an expert, typically a licensed therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. They may be in a private practice or work with your insurance plan or a hospital system. Or they might be affiliated with an online mental health care platform. Often, you can read a bit about their professional background, expertise, and other information to help you decide if they are a good fit for your needs.

Shortly before your appointment, you’ll log on to a specified video platform, and then find yourself in a virtual waiting room. When it’s time for your session, the expert will appear on the screen and conduct a 30- to 50-minute session, depending on what you’ve agreed on, just as they would during an office visit.

Will your insurance pay for virtual visits?

Not necessarily. Make sure your sessions will be covered. Medicare and Medicaid cover virtual mental health care visits, but not all private insurers cover the service. Even if you think you’re covered, double-check in advance.

What should you check on ahead of time?

Getting ready for a virtual visit involves prepping for both a mental health appointment and a video meeting.

How can you help make video sessions work well for you?

When you have an in-person visit, it may be easier to see body language and express yourself. But many people — especially younger people — feel very comfortable online. And others might find the technology and apps easier to navigate with a little guidance.

Here are some tips to ensure that you’re seen and heard:

Should you make another appointment?

If you feel your appointment was productive, consider scheduling another one. Again, make sure your insurance will cover it.

What if you didn’t “click” with the expert? “It’s an important consideration, since your relationship with your therapist is the best predictor of how you’ll do in therapy. So give it a few sessions. If you still don’t think your therapist is a good fit, it’s ok to change clinicians. Many telehealth platforms allow you to do that pretty easily.”

(Heidi Godman is executive editor of Harvard Health Letter.)

©2024 Harvard University. For terms of use, please see https://www.health.harvard.edu/terms-of-use. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.