Sometimes called online therapy or telepsychology, virtual mental health services are simply services provided using the internet, typically through some kind of video conferencing system. Services can also be delivered via the phone (mental health hotlines) or even through text-based chats.
The services offered are typically various forms of talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, grief counseling, etc. As therapy does not require contact between provider and patient, it is ideally suited for being moved online.
Some services might also include self-help systems, such as meditation apps.
The primary benefit of virtual mental health services is improved convenience. Not having to spend extra time and money traveling to the therapist’s office can make the difference, for some people, in being able to even afford their treatment. There are, however, other benefits such as comfort and ease of accessibility.
Virtual therapy does not, of course, work for everyone. Some people are more comfortable talking to their psychologist face to face, or may be made anxious by fears that the therapy app is not secure. Older patients may not be comfortable with the technology in general. However, for many people, virtual health services can be just as good.