ABOUT TELEHEALTH/VIRTUAL TREATMENT
There are advantages and some disadvantages in receiving mental health treatment on video or telehealth. Here are some observations:
“This is great! I NEVER want to drive through traffic again!” – a client in Atlanta
“Well, there’s no DBT groups around here. I’d have to drive a couple of hours to get to one [on the ground]” – a group participant in Augusta, GA
A group particpant in Miama regularly “arrives” in DBT Group on her phone while parked at a local Starbucks, so that she can get privacy from her family.
“I’m very busy with my 2 kids and a full-time job. I’ll do anything to save on travel time.” – a client in Orlando, FL
“I don’t want to see myself on video because I worry about how I look.” (It is O.K. to use voice only for individual or group therapy) – a client in Cumming, GA
“It’s hard not to multitask when you’re doing DBT groups on zoom.” - a group participant in Tampa. (I always recommend fidget toys or knitting if you just need to be doing something else while attending a virtual DBT group.)
“I travel all around the state for work, so it’s great to just pop onto my computer from my hotel room.” – a client in Port St. Lucie, FL
“If I’m running late at the office, I can just close my door and log on.” – a client in Jacksonville, FL
“I worry about privacy.” (I utilize Zoom for Healthcare, a HIPPA-compliant platform) -a client in Cobb Co., GA.
“You can’t make friends doing groups on zoom.” – a group participant in Macon, GA
“If I have go to the bathroom, I just turn off my camera. . . I don’t have to disturb the group.” – a group participant in Athens, GA
“My internet is spotty.” (There is a call-in option for DBT Groups. But I won’t charge if you have connection problems.) – a group participant in Lawrenceville, GA
“I don’t like that I can’t always see everyone in the meeting [because some members utilize voice only].” - a group participant in Atlanta
A group participant in Savanah, GA utilizes aromatherapy during her group with no worries about other peoples’ chemical sensitivities.
“I can bring my cat to my therapy session!” – a client in Tallahassee, Fl