Does telehealth actually work?
The short answer is yes, for most concerns and most people. A substantial body of research now shows that telehealth therapy produces outcomes equivalent to in-person care for anxiety, depression, OCD, relationship issues, and identity questions. The therapeutic relationship, the factor most consistently associated with positive outcomes, translates across the medium.
There are some situations where in-person may be preferable: very young clients, severe presentations that benefit from more clinical structure, or individuals who simply find video difficult. For the vast majority of adults seeking outpatient therapy, telehealth works.
Who telehealth fits particularly well
Telehealth is especially useful for people with demanding schedules who cannot reliably block travel time for appointments. Healthcare workers, young professionals, and parents often find that attending from home or a private office is the difference between therapy being sustainable and not.
It is also valuable for people who live outside Manhattan but want access to specialized care. New York State is large, and many excellent clinicians practice in New York City without serving clients anywhere else in the state. Telehealth eliminates that barrier.
For people in close-knit communities where being seen entering a therapist's office carries stigma, telehealth provides a layer of privacy that is genuinely significant. This includes many clients from religious communities, tight-knit professional circles, and smaller neighborhoods.
What you need to get started
The technology requirements are minimal. You need a device with a camera and microphone (a smartphone, tablet, or laptop all work), a stable internet connection, and a private space where you will not be overheard.
We use a HIPAA-compliant, encrypted video platform. No software installation is required. Before your first session you will receive a secure link that opens in your browser.
A common concern is sound: if you are worried about privacy at home, a white noise machine or fan outside the door, earbuds, and a closed room are usually sufficient. Many clients attend from a car, a private office, or a quiet corner of a library with earbuds.
Telehealth licensing and New York State
Therapists must be licensed in the state where the client is located at the time of the session, not where the therapist is located. At Ahava, our clinicians are licensed in New York State, which means we can see clients anywhere within New York State.
If you are temporarily out of state, whether traveling, visiting family, or spending the summer elsewhere, we address this session by session. In most cases, sessions need to occur while you are in New York unless alternative arrangements are in place.
Is telehealth covered by insurance?
For most insurance plans, yes. Since the pandemic, telehealth parity laws in New York require that mental health telehealth sessions be covered at the same rate as in-person sessions for most plan types.
As an out-of-network practice, our clients submit superbills for reimbursement. Telehealth sessions are reimbursed the same way as in-person sessions by the vast majority of plans. If you are unsure, your insurer can confirm your telehealth coverage with one quick call.