CLAY COUNTY - It’s common to associate mental health therapy with lying on a couch and expressing your innermost thoughts to someone else in the room.

However, in recent years, there’s been a rise in a different form of therapeutic support. 

With the help of technology, teletherapy, or virtually communicating with a therapist, has become a popular and convenient alternative.

BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Calmerry are some of the many available online therapy and virtual counseling platforms. However, key questions remain: How helpful are these online sources, and are there any drawbacks to searching for mental health support online?

LSF Health Systems CEO Dr. Christine Cauffield said that the method is extremely beneficial to those who live in rural communities without transportation or childcare. It can also be less expensive, with many low-cost and free options.

“Individuals that have those barriers sometimes are reticent to reach out or unable to make it to an in-person therapy session or an in-person psychiatric appointment,” Cauffield said. “So, telehealth allows them to be in the comfort of their own home day or night and receive help through their phone or computer.” 

Cauffield added that the pandemic sparked an even greater need for this unconventional support method, with many opt not to attend in-person appointments due to safety. 

Back in November, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services even decided to expand telemedicine rules through December 2025, allowing for the remote prescription of controlled medications–which Cauffield said is especially pertinent for this time of year.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is currently on the rise. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it can cause some individuals to experience significant changes in mood and behavior this holiday season.

Teletherapy and telemedicine have become popular ways of addressing this form of depression.

However, Cauffield warned that there are some drawbacks to consider when using these methods of support, including security.

She said it’s important to do your research and find someone you trust when using online therapy sources.

She also suggested that you adjust your web browser to opt out of personalized ads and turn off cross-app tracking. When accessing these sites, sign out of your Google account or use a private browsing setting. 

“You want to be sure that your personal health information is protected and that people are not going to be able to hack into your session, for example,” she said. “Or, access any clinical notes that are taken.”

For more resources and services, visit lsfsystems.org.