Telehealth, in general, uses technology to provide individuals with various remote health treatments. Teletherapy, also done remotely, focuses on mental health or talk therapy. While they both use very similar, if not the same, technology, what they provide is very different.
Telehealth and teletherapy may sound similar, but they are not the same thing. Understanding the distinction between the two is critical in determining which service is required for your specific situation. Teletherapy is limited to mental health, as you might expect, and Telehealth covers a wide range of other healthcare needs.
What exactly is Telehealth?
Telehealth services can involve clinical medical treatment and other health-related responsibilities such as provider meetings, medical training, and continuing education.
Telehealth has to do with your physical health and less to do with your mental health. Mental health issues are usually addressed via teletherapy.
What exactly is teletherapy?
Teletherapy refers to talk therapy or mental health services that are delivered remotely. Telehealth services can treat many medical diseases, whereas teletherapy services only treat mental health issues. For example, a person may seek teletherapy to deal with depression, anxiety, or relationship issues. Teletherapy also provides counseling services to people over the internet, as does Telehealth. This means you will have access to help wherever you can get onto the internet, which can be done via computer, tablet, or smartphone. The same goes for Telehealth. The internet is the only thing between you and your provider.
Similarities between Telehealth and Teletherapy
While there are differences between Telehealth and teletherapy, there are also significant similarities between these two. As mentioned, you only need a network connection to get in touch with your physician.
Another similarity between Telehealth and Teletherapy is the advantages that both provide to patients. For example, these services allow patients to get care remotely, which is advantageous for people that have a hard time driving. This could also help those that live far away from offices in remote locations. Furthermore, this allows those not close geographically to seek the help of whatever provider they wish.
With Telehealth and teletherapy, you pick a time that best suits you. Because there isn’t any driving or commuting, the appointment time is all you need to schedule. You won’t have to worry about traffic, finding a daycare, or other issues that would keep you from making an appointment. This convenience allows many people that wouldn’t otherwise get care to seek the care they need.
Differences Between Telehealth and Teletherapy
The most noticeable distinction between Telehealth and teletherapy is that insurance carriers frequently fund telehealth services. State rules governing Telehealth, like those for in-person medical services, differ in terms of who can provide telehealth services, how they can be delivered, and what insurance companies will cover them.
Teletherapy is a newer area of Telehealth, and insurance coverage for it is not as widespread. However, this is quickly catching up. As teletherapy becomes more popular, more insurance companies are starting to cover or reimburse patients for treatments provided by certified therapists and mental health specialists.
The main difference is that one is for your physical health, and the other is for your mental health.
We at Dr. Nisha Todi’s office provide mental health services to our patients via teletherapy or telehealth counseling. If you feel this would be a good fit for you or a family member, contact us at 480-494-7589, and let’s get started.
