A Teletherapy Startup Removes Barriers To Mental Health Care

waderoush writes "Is the digital age sending the old therapist's couch the way of the reference librarian, the CD, and the travel agent? Could be: several recent studies have found that therapy via the Internet is just as effective as face-to-face treatment. But it's taken online therapy startup Breakthrough about four years to convince venture investors and insurance companies that online therapy can remove many of the road blocks to mental health care, including the high cost, the social stigma, and the difficulty of access. So far, Breakthrough has partnered with 100 licensed psychiatrists and psychologists in Texas, California, Virginia, and Maryland; every provider on the site has a profile and a welcome video that allows potential clients to evaluate them before they even talk online. 'Now we have greater research supporting telemedicine, and people are more comfortable digitally,' says co-founder and CEO Mark Goldenson. 'I think the market is ready for it.'"

Comments

I'm surprised this didn't catch on sooner.

[Forbo]

Seriously, why the hell hasn't this already been a thing? I regularly engage in therapy, 99% of it is just discussion. Very little, if any, would be unable to be reproduced digitally.

Re:I'm surprised this didn't catch on sooner.

[Russ1642]

And a lot of the people that would get help don't because getting therapy involves talking to their doctor about it, then booking an appointment, then leaving their house and interacting with the outside world.

Re:I'm surprised this didn't catch on sooner.

[ThisIsSaei2561]

Forcing people with social anxiety into uncomfortable situations is a piss-poor strategy. Mental disorders are not a "lack of skills", and it's beyond offensive that you would simplify it like that -- it's part of the reason we need remote care in the first place.

Confidentiality

[Blue Stone]

Unfortunately no therapy transacted over the internet or the telephone system can, these days, be said to abide by the confidentiality agreement the therapist is supposed to abide by.