How does online therapy work? A guide for therapists

Online therapy can benefit both clients and therapists, and as the healthcare landscape experiences a monumental shift from the traditional in-person office settings to the digital screens, understanding the ins and outs of virtual care is essential for therapists building their private practices.

Summary

• Online therapy enables clients with mobility challenges, limited childcare, or those living in rural areas to access care conveniently from home.

• Research consistently shows that online therapy achieves similar outcomes to in-person care for most conditions, including anxiety and depression.

• Therapists must use secure, encrypted platforms with Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) to meet privacy standards. Enrolling in a teletherapy course for therapists can help providers enhance their knowledge.

• Using EHR systems with integrated teletherapy tools, such as TheraPlatform, can help therapists conduct engaging teletherapy sessions and streamline admin tasks.

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Follow this comprehensive guide for the most common questions, benefits, and essentials for successful remote therapy.

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What is online therapy?

Online therapy is also referred to as teletherapy, e-therapy, telehealth, or virtual therapy and is the provision of clinical therapy services via the internet.

Licensed therapists use secure video conferencing technology to conduct sessions with clients. Speech, occupational, physical, or mental health therapy can all be conducted online in this meaningful way, making services accessible to clients across distances.

Who can benefit from online therapy?

Online therapy is not only convenient, but it can also open doors for a diverse set of clients who might not otherwise be able to receive therapy services.

• Individuals with mobility challenges: Those with disabilities, chronic illness, or temporary injuries can access therapy without the challenges of leaving home.

• Clients in rural or underserved areas: Telehealth bridges the gap for those who live far away from therapy providers.

• Busy professionals or students can fit online therapy sessions in between work or classes and eliminate commute time to and from appointments.

• Parents with limited childcare: Parents can attend therapy sessions from home, eliminating the need to find and pay for childcare services.

In the 2024 U.S. Telehealth Satisfaction Survey by J.D. Power, 65% of patients cited convenience as a top reason for using telehealth services.

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Do professional associations approve online therapy?

Yes, online therapy is endorsed by major professional organizations across various disciplines. Therapists can review the clear ethical guidelines and standards these associations have developed for providing remote services.

These professional associations explicitly approve and guide the use of teletherapy:

Speech, occupational, and physical therapy

• ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association)
• AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association)
• APTA (American Physical Therapy Association)

Mental health counseling

• APA (American Psychological Association)
• ACA (American Counseling Association)
• NASW (National Association of Social Workers)

The American Psychological Association (APA), for example, states in its guidelines for the practice of telepsychology, “Psychologists strive to be aware of the potential risks and benefits associated with telecommunication technologies…and take reasonable steps to address all relevant ethical, legal, and regulatory considerations.”

Is online therapy effective?

This may be the most common question about teletherapy. Fortunately, years of ongoing research have led to a decisive answer – yes.

For most conditions, research has supported the use of online therapy as a method that is just as effective as in-person therapy.

Online therapy research and statistics

A 2021 research study found “no significant difference in outcomes between teletherapy and in-person sessions for anxiety and depression”.

ASHA (the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) offers an evidence map on telepractice for Speech-Language Pathologists. This includes current research on the provision of audiology and speech-language pathology over telepractice across various diagnoses and ages.

One of these recent research studies showed results such as improved social and functional communication skills in young children on the autism spectrum.

In another study of teletherapy, 40 adults with dysphonia showed improvements in areas such as vocal quality and maximum phonation time through tele-voice therapy.

How does online therapy work?

Online therapy typically involves using a secure video conferencing platform such as TheraPlatform to conduct virtual therapy sessions. The platform should be designed explicitly for healthcare compliance and offer user-friendly interaction.

Equipment needed

• Device with a camera and microphone (e.g., laptop, tablet, or smartphone)
• Reliable internet connection
• Headphones (for privacy and sound clarity)

Session scheduling and access

• The therapist schedules a session and sends the client a secure link.
• The client logs in to the secure platform at the appointed time.
• Therapy is conducted over a secure videoconferencing platform, such as TheraPlatform. Interactive activities or visual aids can be shared on screen during the session.

Is online therapy secure and HIPAA-compliant?

Client privacy and security of protected health information (PHI) are critically important, particularly in the virtual setting. This standard is defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States.

What HIPAA compliance means: Following stringent standards to secure PHI, including encrypting all client information during transmission and storage, and robust security measures to prevent unauthorized access. Therapists must also ensure technical practices maintain security, such as using strong passwords and locking devices.

The importance of secure platforms: Standard consumer services such as basic Zoom or FaceTime are not inherently HIPAA-compliant. Therapists must use secure telehealth platforms such as TheraPlatform to ensure regulatory requirements are being met.

Business Associate Agreements (BAAs): A BAA is a signed contract that ensures the platform provider is legally responsible for upholding HIPAA standards in its process of handling client data. The BAA must exist between the therapist and their telehealth platform.

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Does insurance cover online therapy?

Insurance coverage for teletherapy varies by insurer, state, and location. However, coverage for online therapy has significantly improved since 2020.

State-dependent rules

• Many states have parity laws, which require insurers to reimburse telehealth at the same rate as in-person services.

• Coverage depends on licensure location. Therapists must be licensed in the state where the client is physically located during the session.

How to verify benefits

Clients and therapists can verify coverage of online therapy services directly with insurance providers or by referring to CMS and APA telehealth resource guides.

Pros and cons of online therapy

Benefits of online therapy

• Convenience: Clients can attend sessions at a convenient time, without a commute, and save on associated costs (e.g., parking, gas).

• Continuity of care: Sessions can continue to be held even through barriers such as weather disruptions or when a client travels.

• Comfort of home environment: Clients may feel more relaxed and safer conducting sessions from the privacy of their home.

Limitations of online therapy

• Technology glitches: Poor internet connections, software issues, and audio difficulties can interrupt sessions.

• Privacy challenges at home: Clients may not have a confidential, quiet space to join sessions from.

• Not ideal for some high-risk clients: For complex cases, a higher level of care through in-person sessions may be required.

Who should not use online therapy?

Online therapy is effective for most clients. However, it is not suitable for everyone. Some individuals require here-level care or in-person therapy:

• Clients in crisis/emergency

• Individuals needing inpatient-level care or 24-hour supervision

• Clients with severe cognitive impairments or an inability to access technology

Therapists should keep factors such as these in mind to help determine whether virtual care is appropriate or if the client should be guided toward alternative resources.

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Choosing the best HIPAA-compliant platform

Telehealth use has skyrocketed since the pandemic, with teletherapy emerging as a trusted, convenient, and secure alternative to in-person care for both children and adults. Therapists and clients report high satisfaction, and teletherapy now accounts for 13–17% of U.S. healthcare visits.

To protect privacy, providers must use HIPAA-compliant video platforms. The top platforms not only secure sessions with encryption but also support scheduling, billing, documentation, and client portals to streamline practice management.

The best teletherapy platforms go beyond video conferencing. By combining compliance, reliability, stable video, resources, games and practice management tools, they help therapists deliver care that’s safe, effective, and adaptable to modern client needs.

Marketing is also another aspect of owning a practice that can be conducted through secure through a HIPAA-compliant platform as you can communicate with existing clients via chat, email and more.

Why therapists choose TheraPlatform as their teletherapy platform

Whether for solo practice or larger clinics, therapists choose TheraPlatform for its blend of usability, flexibility, and robust telehealth tools.

Here are top reasons why therapists choose TheraPlatform for teletherapy:

• Efficiency and convenience: Everything down to payments, scheduling, documentation, and insurance claims is managed in one integrated platform, saving time and reducing friction.

• Security and compliance: TheraPlatform is fully HIPAA and PIPEDA compliant, with encrypted video sessions, secure data storage, and 24/7 monitoring for peace of mind.

• Engagement tools: Built-in interactive features like whiteboards, games, media sharing, screen annotation, and therapy-specific “apps” enhance client engagement especially useful in pediatric and speech therapy.

• Client-centered functionality: The secure client portal empowers clients to book sessions, complete forms, submit documents, and make payments, reducing admin work for the therapist.

• Customization and flexibility: Therapists can create and customize templates for notes, treatment plans, and intake forms allowing them to tailor workflows to their practice style.

• All-in-one practice management: Combines telehealth, EHR, billing, insurance, scheduling, and documentation, eliminating the need for multiple tools or software.

• Therapy-specific design: Unlike generic telehealth platforms, TheraPlatform is purpose-built for mental health, speech therapy, OT, PT, and more with features tailored to each specialty.

• Professional credibility: Recording features, branded portals, and compliance tools help therapists present a more professional, trustworthy experience to clients.

• Positive user experience: Therapists appreciate having everything in one place and often report a smoother workflow, fewer tech issues, and faster onboarding.

What therapists are saying about TheraPlatform

Therapists praise TheraPlatform for its ease of use, seamless scheduling, and built-in billing tools like superbills. They value the platform’s features including intuitive charting, customizable notes, and interactive telehealth tools as well as the responsive support team, which listens to feedback and implements updates.

Many highlight that the platform offers the best of all worlds, combining excellent video conferencing with resource sharing and an engaging, client-centered teletherapy experience.

"There's seriously no better platform out there! Easy to use … syncs to your personal schedule, provides superbills …"- Jacqueline S. (Source)

“It is not just the platform, it is the team behind TheraPlatform, always willing to help and receptive to feedback to bring updates requests to live,” Orly, Smarty Therapy PC (Source)

"The video conferencing is excellent and the ability to share resources and the interactive screen make Telehealth a rich experience."- Kathy J. (Source)

"TheraPlatform has been the best of all worlds! … intuitive charting, in-system billing, customizable notes …"-Kendrah B. (Source)

Resources

TheraPlatform is an all-in-one EHR, practice management, and teletherapy software built for therapists to help them save time on admin tasks. It offers a 30-day risk-free trial with no credit card required and supports mental and behavioral health, SLPs, OTs, and PTs in group and solo practices.

More resources

• Top-to-bottom approach to launching teletherapy on-demand video academy
• Teletherapy worksheets
• Teletherapy blog

References

Alatar, W., Knott, F. & Loucas, T. The Effectiveness of Telemedicine in Coaching Parents of Autistic Children Using Naturalistic Developmental Early Interventions: a Rapid Review. Rev J Autism Dev Disord 12, 273–289 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-023-00393-3

Bulkes, N. Z., Davis, K., Kay, B., & Riemann, B. C. (2022). Comparing efficacy of telehealth to in-person mental health care in intensive-treatment-seeking adults. Journal of psychiatric research, 145, 347–352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.11.003

Franz, L., Da Canal, A., Spinato, G., Baracca, G., Lucchini, E., de Filippis, C., & Marioni, G. (2025). Tele-voice therapy. Application of the tele-medicine paradigm to speech therapy for dysphonia: A systematic review. American journal of otolaryngology, 104626. DOI: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196070925000298

J.D. Power. (2024, September 26). Telehealth Continues to Score Points for Convenience and Speed, but Overall Experience Varies Widely Between Providers and Across Demographics, J.D. Power Finds [PDF]. https://www.jdpower.com/sites/default/files/file/2024-09/2024109%20U.S.%20Telehealth.pdf