Benefits of telehealth for clients and providers
The benefits of online therapy are becoming better understood as the medium rapidly evolved from a temporary solution during emergencies into a widely recognized and adopted model of care. Today, virtual therapy is valued by both clinicians and clients for its convenience, accessibility, and proven effectiveness.
Summary
- Telehealth reduces no-shows and cancellations, boosting provider efficiency. Enrolling in a teletherapy course for therapists can help providers enhance their knowledge.
- Clients save money and gain easier access to therapy without travel barriers.
- Providers benefit from lower overhead costs and expanded reach.
- Secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms like TheraPlatform can provide for a rich telehealth experience.
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According to Northwestern Medicine, “telehealth is ideal for patients with recurring appointments to manage a chronic illness who have a treatment plan in place that may just need to be fine-tuned.”
The benefits of online therapy seem to affect everyone involved. Providers reduce costs, increase efficiency, and expand their reach, while clients enjoy easier access, fewer barriers, and the comfort of receiving therapy at home.
As one expert noted in a 2020 American Psychological Association article that, “delivering care remotely allows mental health providers to reach more people, including those who are geographically isolated or lack access to child care or transportation.”
Streamline your practice with One EHR
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Benefits of online therapy for providers
For providers, the benefits of online therapy include reduced cancellations, lower overhead costs, expanding access to new clients, and boosting efficiency through flexible, streamlined care. Let’s take a look at the details.
Reduced cancellations and no-shows
- Clients can attend sessions from home—even when feeling unwell or managing family duties.
- Large-scale studies show lower no-show rates for telehealth compared to in-person visits.
- In fact, one study found 11.7% for in-person vs. 2.5% for telehealth.
Lower overhead and operating costs
- Savings on rent, utilities, waiting room supplies, and staffing.
- A Penn Medicine study found that telehealth visits averaged $380 per encounter vs. $493 for in-person or a $113 savings per patient.
Expanded reach and new clients
- Telehealth allows providers to serve rural and underserved communities.
- In rural healthcare, research showed that over 80% of providers reported telehealth added value to their practice, with 36.6% saying it was more efficient than in-person visits.
Increased practice revenue and efficiency
- Providers can offer after-hours or shorter check-ins without commuting.
- Telehealth platforms with built-in scheduling, billing, and EHR tools streamline operations and reduce admin workload.
Practice Management + EHR + Telehealth
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Benefits of online therapy for clients
For clients, the benefits of online therapy include breaking down barriers to care by offering easier access, lower costs, greater flexibility, and more consistent therapy experiences. Below is an examination of each.
Easier access to care
- Removes barriers like transportation, disability, or long commutes.
- Clients can attend therapy from anywhere with a secure link.
Reduced costs beyond session fees
- Saves money on parking, gas, and public transit.
- Cuts indirect costs such as childcare or time off work.
More consistent appointments
- Weather, traffic, and childcare conflicts are less likely to interrupt care.
Faster progress and better outcomes
- Consistent engagement supports therapeutic momentum and continuity.
Reduced mental health stigma
- Eliminates the visibility of waiting rooms.
- Creates an easier entry point for new therapy clients.
Greater comfort in familiar spaces
- Meeting from home lowers anxiety and increases openness.
Flexibility and more provider options
- Clients can choose from a wider pool of specialists beyond their local area.
- Flexible scheduling helps therapy fit into daily routines.
Watch this video to find out more about launching teletherapy in your practice
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Ethics and best practices in telehealth
While the benefits of online therapy are numerous, it isn’t appropriate for all cases. Clients in acute crisis, those needing hospitalization, or those with severe safety risks may require in-person care.
Ethical telehealth practice requires:
- Screening clients for clinical appropriateness.
- Maintaining professional and moral boundaries.
- Using HIPAA-compliant platforms.
- Documenting thoroughly and staying current with cross-state licensure regulations.
Free Resources for Therapists
Click below and help yourself to peer-created resources:
Getting started: Tools and tips for smooth telehealth
A successful telehealth session depends on reliable technology.
Providers should:
- Use a strong internet connection, high-quality webcam, and clear audio equipment.
- Encourage clients to perform pre-session tech checks.
- Simplify workflows with all-in-one telehealth platforms instead of juggling multiple tools like Zoom, Google Docs, and billing software.
Telehealth is now a research-backed, proven model of care.
- For providers, it reduces cancellations, lowers overhead, and creates opportunities to reach new clients.
- For clients, it removes barriers, improves consistency, and supports better outcomes.
When practiced ethically and with the right tools, the benefits of online therapy are apparent: it strengthens the therapeutic relationship and makes care more accessible, flexible, and effective.
Practice Management + EHR + Telehealth
Mange more in less time in your practice with TheraPlatform
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)
Streamline your practice with One EHR
- Scheduling
- Flexible notes
- Template library
- Billing & payments
- Insurance claims
- Client portal
- Telehealth
- E-fax
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
Abrams, Z. (2020, July 1). How well is telepsychology working? Monitor on Psychology, 51(5). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/07/cover-telepsychology
Diaz, N. (2022, October 17). Telemedicine reduces odds of no-show clinic visits for surgical patients: Study-becker’s Hospital Review: Healthcare News & Analysis. Becker’s Hospital Review | Healthcare News & Analysis.
How Telehealth Benefits Patients. Northwestern Medicine. https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/medical-advances/new-therapies-and-drug-trials/how-telehealth-benefits-patients
Klee, D., Pyne, D., Kroll, J., James, W., & Hirko, K. A. (2023). Rural patient and provider perceptions of telehealth implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09994-4
Penn Medicine Study Finds Telehealth Cost-Effective for its Employees. Healthcare Innovation. https://www.hcinnovationgroup.com/population-health-management/telehealth/news/53063152/penn-medicine-study-finds-telehealth-cost-effective-for-its-employees
FAQs about the benefits of online therapy
Is telehealth as effective as in-person therapy?
Yes. Research shows that telehealth can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many conditions, especially when clients have a stable treatment plan and reliable technology.
What technology do I need for telehealth sessions?
Providers should use a strong internet connection, high-quality webcam, and clear audio setup. Clients typically just need a device with video capability and a secure link.
Can all clients use telehealth?
Not always. While telehealth is suitable for most clients, those in acute crisis or requiring hospitalization may need in-person care. Screening for appropriateness is an essential best practice.
