Sarah Grace Meyn

With increasing academic and social pressures, teletherapy has become a popular option for students seeking mental health support. Teletherapy, also known as telemental health, telepsychology, telemedicine, telehealth, or telepsychiatry, offers mental health services remotely using digital communication platforms, according to Dr. Nancy Burgoyne and Dr. Aaron Samuel Cohn, researchers at The Family Institute at Northwestern University. It includes live chat, text, phone calls, and video chats, sometimes incorporating whiteboards, chatbots, and interactive exercises. Companies such as BetterHelp, Talkspace, Regain, Pride Counseling, Teen Counseling, and Faithful Counseling offer teletherapy services.
The use of teletherapy has increased among students due to rising mental health concerns related to academic stress, social challenges, and external pressures. Many schools and universities have adopted teletherapy because of its accessibility and flexibility, particularly following the COVID-19 outbreak.
Professional organizations, including the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the American Psychological Association, have established guidelines to regulate teletherapy practices. Certifications such as the Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider and the Zur Institute Certificate Program in Telemental Health and Digital Ethics have emerged to ensure ethical and professional standards.
Teletherapy is not a recent development; mental health professionals have historically used letters, telephone calls, and radio broadcasts to provide remote psychological support. However, the expansion of digital technology has transformed teletherapy into a structured and widely accepted form of care.
The primary advantages of teletherapy include increased accessibility, convenience, flexibility, reduced stigma, and continuity of care during crises. Teletherapy eliminates geographical barriers, making mental health support more available to students in rural areas or those with disabilities. It also reduces the stigma of seeking therapy, as students can access sessions privately without face-to-face interaction.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, teletherapy ensured uninterrupted mental health support for individuals facing isolation and uncertainty. However, it has drawbacks, including limited engagement, difficulty establishing a therapeutic connection, privacy concerns, unreliable internet connections, and digital literacy challenges. In-person therapy remains more engaging for some individuals, as therapists can read body language and facial expressions more accurately. Additionally, prolonged screen use can contribute to fatigue, making online sessions less effective for some clients.
To gain insight into student perspectives on teletherapy, a survey was conducted among USM students from different academic classifications, including freshmen, sophomores, and master’s students. Responses varied regarding whether students would consider teletherapy a viable option for mental health support.
“Yes, I would consider teletherapy,” said Egwonor Akpofure, a master’s student. “It has an advantage from a logistical standpoint, as the cost of transportation and locating my therapist would be removed. I could see my therapist remotely and privately from the convenience and comfort of my home or any environment of my choosing."
Another student acknowledged the benefits of teletherapy but felt it was not as effective as in-person therapy, explaining that it is helpful in situations where commuting is difficult but may not provide the same depth of connection.
“It seems good, but it's not 100% as effective as in-person therapy in some cases,” said Chiemelie Ume, a freshman. “I would use it if I needed to save time on commuting.”
Some students expressed reservations about teletherapy, with one stating a strong preference for face-to-face sessions unless under extreme circumstances.
The survey results indicate that while teletherapy offers significant logistical benefits, many students still perceive in-person therapy as more effective. These responses align with existing research, which acknowledges teletherapy's advantages in terms of accessibility and convenience but also highlights its limitations in fostering deep therapeutic connections.
Teletherapy has dramatically improved access to mental health care for students, providing a flexible and accessible solution for those seeking support. While it offers advantages such as increased accessibility, reduced stigma, and consistent care, challenges such as reduced engagement, privacy concerns, and screen fatigue persist. Despite these drawbacks, teletherapy remains a vital resource, especially in crisis situations like the COVID-19 pandemic, where continuous mental health support is essential.
As technology advances, institutions should continue refining teletherapy practices to enhance effectiveness. With proper guidelines and adjustments, teletherapy can remain a valuable supplement to traditional mental health care.