Teletherapy is the practice of delivering mental health care remotely through the use of technology, rather than in a traditional office setting. This approach utilizes various digital tools to allow an individual to communicate with a licensed therapist or counselor from their own location. The method expands access to necessary mental health resources for people who may face barriers like distance, transportation issues, or restrictive schedules. Teletherapy provides a convenient option for individuals to engage in sessions to address a wide range of mental health needs, including individual, couples, or family therapy.
Common Consumer Synonyms
The term teletherapy is often replaced by numerous other phrases in consumer-facing content, largely for marketing purposes or simply as generalized descriptions. The most common synonym is “Online Therapy,” which broadly describes any therapeutic interaction that occurs over the internet. Similarly, phrases like “Virtual Counseling” or “Remote Mental Health Services” are widely used to highlight the distance-based nature of the service.
Other frequently encountered variations include “E-Therapy,” “Cyber-Counseling,” and “Web Therapy,” which refer to the same remote mental health delivery. The proliferation of these synonyms results from different platforms and providers seeking a unique way to describe their services to the public. They function as intuitive, descriptive labels that communicate the core concept of getting psychological help through digital means.
Specific Delivery Modalities
While consumer synonyms describe the service broadly, the specific delivery modalities detail how the therapeutic interaction actually takes place. The most common method is Synchronous Video Conferencing, which involves real-time, interactive video and audio communication, closely mimicking an in-person session. This format allows both the client and therapist to observe non-verbal cues, like facial expressions and body language, which are important elements of the therapeutic relationship.
Phone Counseling, or audio-only sessions, is another synchronous method where communication occurs live, but without the visual component. This can be a practical choice for individuals with limited internet bandwidth or those who prefer talking without the pressure of being on camera. Conversely, Asynchronous Communication involves an exchange that does not happen in real-time, often referred to as “store-and-forward” methods. This includes secure messaging, email exchanges, or chat platforms where the client sends a message and the therapist responds later, offering flexibility for both parties.
Formal and Regulatory Terminology
In professional and regulatory contexts, teletherapy falls under broader and more formal names used by licensing boards and healthcare systems. The overarching term is “Telehealth,” which refers to the remote delivery of all health care services, including dentistry, primary care, and mental health. Teletherapy is a specific application of telehealth, focusing exclusively on behavioral and mental health services, sometimes specifically labeled as “Telemental Health” or “Behavioral Telehealth.”
These formal terms are the language used for legal and insurance purposes, particularly regarding licensing and reimbursement. For example, the term “Distance Counseling” is frequently used by state counseling boards to regulate the practice across state lines. Official definitions often specify the technology used, such as the American Psychological Association’s use of “Telepsychology” to describe the provision of behavioral health services using technological modalities.