Is Online Therapy Effective?
Yes, while it doesn’t offer the close human-to-human connection as in-person therapy, online therapy can still be an effective form of treatment for addiction and mental health. Also known as teletherapy or virtual therapy, this emerging form of treatment has shown comparable effectiveness to traditional in-person therapy for treating many common drug addictions. Addiction virtual therapy provides the counseling and support needed to help patients develop healthy coping skills to manage their addictions. It also allows patients to attend sessions from home, which helps reduce barriers to care for many people, particularly those in rural areas or patients with busy work schedules that make regular office visits challenging.
Does Online Therapy Take Insurance?
Yes, most major online therapy platforms and providers work with various insurance companies to offer coverage for online addiction treatment. However, the coverage varies significantly depending on the specific insurance plan and the virtual therapy service used. Traditional insurance providers like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and United Healthcare have expanded their coverage of telehealth services, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, making online therapy more accessible to many insured individuals. Patients should carefully verify their specific coverage details since some plans may only cover sessions with specific in-network providers, require higher copays for virtual visits, or limit the number of covered sessions.
Many popular online therapy platforms operate on a subscription-based model that typically isn’t directly covered by insurance, but patients may be able to be reimbursed by their insurance company. For those without insurance coverage, some online therapy services offer financial assistance programs, though these options may be more limited compared to traditional in-person therapy practices.
Is In-Person Therapy Better Than Online?
While the effectiveness of a virtual therapy session for drug addiction will depend on the patient’s needs, having an in-person connection tends to be better. The lack of a physical presence can make it harder for therapists to pick up on subtle body language or non-verbal cues, which may be particularly important when treating complex addictions and co-occurring disorders. Some therapy techniques, especially those involving physical elements or group dynamics, may also work better in person.
Technical issues like poor connectivity can disrupt the flow of the session, and some patients may feel less connected to their therapist through a screen. Additionally, online therapy may not be suitable for patients in crises or those requiring intensive in-person monitoring. The physical presence of an in-person therapist can help patients and may be particularly beneficial for those dealing with severe addiction issues.
How Does Online Therapy Work?
Addiction virtual therapy typically involves a combination of individual counseling sessions, group therapy meetings, and support services available through secure video conferencing. Licensed substance abuse counselors can provide many of the same evidence-based treatments virtually that they offer in person, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and relapse prevention strategies. However, online addiction treatment is usually best suited for patients who are medically stable and don’t require detox or close monitoring. The virtual format allows people to maintain their privacy while accessing support from home, which can be particularly beneficial for those who might otherwise avoid treatment because of work.
While it can work well as part of ongoing recovery support or for those with moderate substance use issues, patients with severe addiction experiencing withdrawal symptoms or with complicated co-occurring mental health conditions may require in-person treatment or residential care. If an emergency arises and in-person help is needed, most reputable online addiction treatment programs will have protocols to refer patients to local resources when needed.
Access Addiction Virtual Therapy Through Resurgence Behavioral Health
For patients needing addiction virtual therapy, Resurgence Behavioral Health offers patients access to comprehensive addiction treatment through our Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (VIOP). Using a secure, specialized telehealth platform, we provide professional support and therapy that helps patients throughout the addiction recovery process. While our main addiction treatment facility is in Riverside, California, all of our patients can access our addiction therapy services online. Regardless of how patients access addiction treatment, the important part is to find professional help. Along with online therapy, Resurgence Behavioral Health provides inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment and dual diagnosis treatment. Please call us at 855-458-0050 to learn more about how our range of addiction treatment services can help you achieve sobriety today.