The Balanced Life, Huntsville Alabama

Here we are in 2021! We made it.  As many have written before me, 2020 was a year unlike any other.   We faced a global pandemic, a divisive election, and a myriad of social issues.  While these events were beyond our control on a personal level, it forced many to reflect on themselves and subsequently seek mental health treatment.

I, as well as many therapists, were inundated with referrals that ranged from adults seeking to cope with the fear of COVID to children struggling to transition into a virtual learning environment. While ideally, I would have loved to treat each individual client in person on a weekly basis, the threat of COVID warranted some time meeting via telehealth. While meeting face to face is my preferable form of counseling, I wanted to share to clients on how I view our sessions virtually.  Here are a few benefits I see in telehealth counseling and why I feel it is still an effective form of treatment and some negative aspects that make traditional therapy my prioritized service.

• It’s comfortable. The first step to a positive counseling experience is being comfortable in your environment. Meeting virtually can lessen the fear and anxiety of a waiting room and the potential exposure to germs and bacteria. Several of my clients have identified places in their homes that they feel to be their “space”. Whether it’s a bedroom, corner of an office, or outside, meeting via telehealth can offer a relaxing scene at home.
• It’s flexible. Because of the mobility of meeting virtually, telehealth can me a more efficient option. I meet with several clients on their lunch break in their cars or later in the evening at their homes. This gives clients the flexibility to receive consistent treatment while meeting the demands of their personal schedules.
• It’s private. One of the concerns of clients attending therapy is running into a fellow acquaintance/classmate at the office. This can immediately distract from the overall purpose of the counseling experience. Telehealth services provide a complete confidential environment granting that clients minimize distractions and are able to focus on the process.

Now, that I’ve listed a few positives, I will provide a couple points of potential negatives for telehealth therapy.

• It’s not as personal. This concept is the first piece of feedback I received when COVID forced me to move to all online appointments. Several clients reported that seeing me on a screen, even when still as frequent, does not offer the same level of personal relationship and intimacy as meeting in office. To combat this, I strive to be just as present, noticing all non-verbal cues and implementing the same level of empathy.While I agree it can feel this way to some, just know that I am fully committed to our counseling relationship and meeting your mental health goals is my utmost priority.

• The technology concern. Perhaps one of the most frequent barriers to effective telehealth is the potential for connection issues. As a therapist, I am trained to allow clients to feel heard by reframing their statements and seeking to understand their points of view. When our communication path has latency issues or complete loss of internet, it lessens the quality and the value of the session and possibly makes the client feel as if they could not accomplish as much. To mitigate this rare occurrence, I have backup plans in place so we can either complete our session or ensure we continue our discussions as soon as possible.

The telehealth option has been a blessing and benefit to most during this uneasy time. I believe all forms of telehealth have been valuable and with it, we are able to continue and pursue most of daily activities while still coping with the challenges of today. The events over the last year will hopefully will be temporary, but I believe telehealth can be sustainable and gives clients flexible options to seek treatment.

To schedule with Lindsey Hill, contact the office at (256) 258-7777 ext 104 or email lindsey@thebalancedlifellc.com