With people beginning to adapt to an increasingly online world, for many, the term “telemental health” is still a foreign concept. Telemental health is the use of videoconferencing technology to provide mental health services; essentially, therapy online. IResearch suggests that telemental health services can be effective for many suffering from conditions like PTSD, ADHD, depression, and anxiety. As this National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) article states, though “the practice has become much more common, especially as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, more research is needed to understand when and how telemental health services should be used.” A patient should carefully weigh the potential benefits–including convenience and broader reach–with the potential drawbacks (such as access to technology and lack of true “face-to-face” contact). Whether you might consider telemental health services or not, it is important to know that it is still an option, and will require many of the same considerations for finding a provider for in-person mental health services. Visit Dr. Locke’s How to Find a Therapist page to learn more about finding a therapist that is right for you. Read the rest of the NIMH article here.