Online therapy has been growing in popularity across the world for years now, and COVID-19 has only accelerated this growth. Teletherapy has been proven extremely effective at treating a number of mental health issues.
For example, online therapy can be just as effective as face-to-face treatment for depression, a study in the Journal of Affective Disorders found. Setting up your own teletherapy business isn’t necessarily complicated, but it requires implementing several key steps to make it a success.
Invest in reliable video-chat technology
Your online therapy business will rely on modern video-conferencing technology that enables you to connect with clients. In particular, platforms like Zoom, Skype, and Facebook chat are popular choices for online therapy.
However, if you’re in the US, be aware that these platforms aren’t compliant with HIPAA regulations, which means they don’t secure the privacy of client data. You’ll therefore need to invest in a HIPAA-secure technology instead; there are a number of affordable choices available.
Also, texting via traditional platforms such as WhatsApp and iMessage is not HIPAA-compliant. That’s why it’s important to partner with an experienced text messaging platform or HIPAA-compliant texting app.
Consider insurance
Launch your own website
Dennis Relojo-Howell is the founder of Psychreg.