Virtual Therapy Ontario can be conducted from the convenience of your own home or other remote location, providing a discreet, private and secure service which meets privacy standards set out by Ontario's PHIPA and PIPEDA laws.
Time and money savings can also be achieved by choosing a therapist with appropriate credentials, but make sure to select one who meets all necessary standards before making this choice.
Convenience
Online therapy (also referred to as teletherapy or e-therapy) offers clients a convenient and secure means of accessing mental health services. Sessions can take place in the comfort of one's own home or at other remote locations via video call or phone line - it is crucial to make sure the virtual platform used meets privacy standards before engaging in sessions online.
Therapists also often provide online support between sessions through collaborative worksheets and informative short videos, helping clients engage with therapy more efficiently during sessions in-person. Such tools are an effective way of increasing client engagement while furthering in-person work done during therapy sessions.
People living in smaller communities and rural areas can particularly benefit from online access to therapy as it provides access to therapists who may not otherwise be available locally, as well as affording those with limited financial resources access to mental health support without paying full price for an in-person appointment.
Confidentiality
Virtual therapy has quickly grown increasingly popular over recent years, providing clients with access to their therapists from the convenience of their own homes. Sessions may take place over video (visual and audio) or telephone, depending on what suits the therapist best; privacy of client sessions are always respected. To ensure maximum effectiveness of virtual therapy sessions it is imperative that sessions take place in an isolated location without distractions.
Some therapists use their own digital platform while others will utilize platforms like Zoom or Google Meet; it's essential that these meet PIPEDA and PHIPA standards, with no personal accounts used solely for telehealth use - this reduces security breach risks; also, avoid Skype due to recent security concerns as an effective telehealth platform; instead your therapist should provide you with links for your session on a private digital platform.
Accessibility
Virtual therapy offers rural or underserved areas access to mental health services they may otherwise find hard to access - whether they can't make it into counselling offices, or may struggle to arrange childcare during in-person sessions.
If you're considering online therapy, be sure to look over their website or contact information in order to see their qualifications and ask if a free phone consultation might help determine whether this therapist is the one for you. A consultation may help make up your mind whether this therapist will meet your needs.
Your session should take place in a private and quiet area with access to high-speed internet. Parents might consider scheduling their session during their child's nap or post bedtime; others can schedule sessions according to work or school obligations or using mobile device accessing the platform from anywhere convenient.
Cost
Online therapy may be less costly than in-person sessions; however, costs vary based on therapist and platform. While some may provide free consultation before beginning therapy sessions, others charge a flat rate fee that covers multiple sessions. Furthermore, prices for online therapy sessions may also depend on factors like location and insurance coverage.
Extended health care plans in Ontario typically do not cover virtual therapy services provided by non-licensed therapists who do not fall within certain regulated designations, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and psychotherapists. However, many therapists have discovered that clients suffering mental illness are willing to pay privately for private sessions.
Some community mental health clinics in Toronto provide low-cost or even free virtual therapy sessions for eligible individuals. Mind Beacon, in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, offers an online resiliency program specifically for people living with anxiety or depression - featuring telephone coaching, skill building workbooks and videos from therapists.