Maybe you’re staying home to adhere to social distancing norms or perhaps leaving your house isn’t a choice because of family duties or a pre-existing condition.
Being at home doesn’t mean mental health issues go away, however. In some ways, you may be suffering more at this time as you adjust to a new way of living. If you’re feeling increased anxiety, depression, fear, or pain – or are dealing with existing emotional and mental challenges – South Plains Rural Health is available to help. The practice, with locations in Levelland, Lamesa, and Big Spring, Texas, provides telehealth counseling to help you get through this difficult time.
Read on to learn how receiving telehealth therapy – or teletherapy – can help you.
Teletherapy gives you all the benefits of in-person counseling, but over a remote system. We may conduct sessions with you over the phone or with videoconferencing. Email and direct messaging are also ways for us to communicate with you when you need the support.
If you live in a remote area, teletherapy is a whole lot more convenient than driving several hours for an in-person appointment. Those who care for an elderly relative or small children may also find it hard to get out of the house for a one-hour session, plus travel time. When you can visit with a counselor from the comfort of your own home, the session is a lot more likely to happen.
Currently, with social distancing as the new norm, teletherapy also allows you to get the needed mental health support you desperately need. It’s normal to be concerned about going out, especially if you are part of a vulnerable population, such as an older adult or have compromised immunity. With teletherapy, there are no waiting rooms to sit in, no masks necessary to wear, and no door handles to touch. Teletherapy means you can keep yourself physically safe while getting the real connection with a counselor who can help you navigate fears about the future.
Because counseling doesn’t usually require a physical exam or lab tests, it’s well-suited for online communication. The counseling team at South Plains Rural Health can address issues, including depression, post-traumatic stress, trauma, chronic stress, and anxiety. Even family or couples counseling may be held via telehealth.
Most sessions are done via video chat. If you don’t already have an established relationship with one of our providers, your first few sessions will concentrate on treatment goals and on just getting to know each other. With time, you may feel better opening up to a counselor and feel ready to receive support when it comes to behavioral change.
All sessions are entirely private; the team at South Plains Rural Health takes steps such as logging in from a private network and accessing counseling via an encrypted platform to protect your confidentiality.
If accessing counseling at one of our offices is too difficult or you’re concerned about the spread of COVID-19 or other diseases, such as the flu, contact us to find out more about telehealth offerings. Don’t let your mental health suffer. Call one of the locations of South Plains Rural Health today.
