Pros & Cons of Telehealth this Holiday Season
There are many pros and cons of engaging in telehealth. There are some specific pros and cons of engaging in telehealth during the holiday season. When my clients or my client’s parents/guardians ask about telehealth therapy, I share that it truly comes down to preference. I can identify more pros then cons to using telehealth, however I prefer in office sessions (again this is just my preference). Here are some pros and cons of engaging in telehealth this holiday season.
Pros:
Helps those who cannot make it to the office.
Teens often feel more comfortable online as they are in their own space.
Great option for when someone is ill or for inclement weather conditions (helps prevent spread of disease and helps to keep clients and therapists stay safe in dangerous weather conditions).
Can be more manageable for scheduling. Parents and guardians are often busy during the holiday season which can be stressful in terms of coordinating transportation to the office for their child or teen. Telehealth therapy helps parents and guardians by making scheduling more manageable and reducing additional stress of having to transport their children and teens.
Helps teens to practice their skills in their natural environment.
Depression, Anxiety and Stress often increase during the winter and holiday months and telehealth therapy can be a great support for those who are still ambivalent to try it in person.
Telehealth therapy is just as effective as in person therapy!
Cons-
Less face-to-face interaction which is extremely important especially for clients who struggle interpersonally and for teens who are still experiencing isolation fatigue after the pandemic.
Some clients do not have a lot of family, so the holidays can be difficult for them. They often are seeking this in person connection vs connecting over telehealth.
Coming to the office provides an escape for clients who are living in a stressful environment, even for the 1 hour per week.
During the holidays clients often have more family over and their homes are busier, making it more difficult to find a quiet confidential space within the home to participate in telehealth.