Telehealth makes an important contribution to overcoming inequalities in access to private mental health and counselling services. This is most clearly related to improving the availability of services in rural and remote areas as well as at a time where it can take 6-12 months to see a Psychologist. The Telehealth modality is also advantageous for client groups experiencing difficulties leaving the home (e.g., clients with agoraphobia, social phobia, stigmatised groups of individuals and more).

Other advantages include an enhanced capacity for clients to choose a clinician with specific expertise, reduced time waiting for an appointment, less time off work to attend the appointment, and increased flexibility in appointment time and location.

How effective is telehealth?

There is a range of quality evidence reporting the effectiveness of Telehealth which includes videoconferencing and telephone therapy (Fletcher et al., 2018; Varker, Brand, Ward, Terhaag, & Phelps, 2019). Systematic reviews examining the efficacy of Telehealth psychology compared to in-person treatment report equivalent outcomes for depression, anxiety, physical health issues, addiction, eating disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Backhaus et al., 2012; Hilty et al., 2013). This finding extends across child, adolescent and adult client groups, and across cultural groups (Hilty et al., 2013).

The evidence-base for telehealth in improving an individual's mental health continues to expand. Recent clinical studies supports the use of telehealth for individuals including veteran and civilian PTSD, obesity management, parenting and adolescent obsessive compulsive disorder (Glassman et al., 2019; Lewis, Huang, Hassmén, Welvaert, & Pumpa, 2019; Ngai, Wong, Chung, Leung, & Tarrant, 2019; Turner et al., 2014).

Can you assure my security?
DBT Assist uses two platforms with industry leading standards in security for the delivery of Telehealth Services. Please click the links below to access the product statements for the two platforms our therapists use:
- Security for Cliniko go to https://www.cliniko.com/security/
- Security for Zoom go to https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/zoom

Before commencing therapy, each individual will be required to complete our Telehealth Consent form which can be downloaded at http://goldcoastdbt.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/GC-DBT-TELEHEALTH-CONSENT.pdf