Accelerated by the pandemic, the digital transformation of all things health-related has opened new frontiers for both clients and medical practitioners. This is especially true within the field of behavioral health, where the industry has long been typecast with the prototypical patient on a couch.

Although an icon within the industry, clients can now receive therapy from the comfort of their own couches or anywhere else they prefer – as long as they have a computer or mobile device and an Internet connection or Wi-Fi. The reason for this change is the growing availability of online platforms for health providers who have clients who want convenient, secure and discreet help.

More than half of the people with mental illness don't receive help for their disorders. 

Clients want online access to mental health

A new study coordinated by researchers at RAND and published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that there was a sharp increase in telehealth use during the height of the pandemic. But surprisingly, people seeking help with physical ailments didn’t drive this increase. People seeking mental health services were in fact the catalyst.

However, the momentum might not sustain itself if providers are forced to eliminate telehealth as a key part of their service model. Insurance companies and Medicare could begin to limit reimbursements for telehealth.

Fortunately, however, there is a new generation of technologists and advocates who are pitching in to help close the gap on these issues.

“One of the most important aspects for treating clients is making it easier for them to get help,” said Alina Trigubenko founder and CEO of Profi.io. “We designed Profi.io so that mental health professionals and their clients could connect in the simplest, most convenient way possible. That meant creating a platform that features smart automations, intuitive workflows and flexible integrations that both ensure privacy and a great user experience.”

All-in-one solutions are the key 

Profi.io is a HIPAA-compliant telehealth and telemedicine software platform for therapists and other mental, behavioral and integrative health-and-wellness providers. Telehealth is different from telemedicine in that it refers to a broader scope of remote healthcare services than telemedicine. Telemedicine refers specifically to remote clinical services, while telehealth can refer to remote nonclinical services.

Profi.io’s product automates a lot of administrative tasks, and it’s a good fit for sole practitioners and health systems alike. However, Profi isn’t alone in the space. Other virtual care platforms have blossomed out of the pandemic to help healthcare professionals of all types take their practices online. Some of the most widely used include Mend, Doxy.me, AMC Health and OnCall.

In addition, WhatsApp is being frequently used by doctors for medical-related purposes, especially in the U.K. While it employs end-to-end encryption, privacy concerns have been raised.

One reason for the growing demand for virtual care solutions by mental health professionals is that online support is extremely efficient and effective. 

For example, the traditional method of seeing a mental health professional requires calling for an appointment, driving to a location, filling out tons of papers and then sitting in a waiting room for a quick initial consultation.

With platforms like Profi.io, Mend, Doxy.me and others, scheduling appointments, making payments, processing paperwork, initial screening work and provider consultations can all be done without making a phone call or traveling. For clients with mental health disorders worried about stigma, or for those with mobility issues, removing barriers to care is key.

Advocates are driving specialized care

Today, celebrities have invested in and worked as spokespeople for mental health apps. For example, retired NFL linebacker J.T. Thomas has publicly discussed his experience living with ADHD. Recently he has invested in Done, a platform that provides a marketplace for ADHD treatments.

“Whether competing in the NFL, or in life, many of us feel that we can’t show weakness,” said Thomas. “Sadly, this way of thinking has kept millions of adults and children from getting the treatment they need. Getting help was the best thing I ever did.”

Michael Phelps is another retired professional athlete that is doing his part to reduce stigma in an effort to encourage others to seek help as well. Phelps has partnered with Talkspace in multiple ways to help broaden access to mental healthcare for many. He is even regarded by many as a leading advocate for mental health awareness. Phelps was awarded PR Week’s communicator of the year in 2020 for his efforts.

Online platforms provide a community of care

Although the behavioral health industry is constantly evolving, with new medications and treatments emerging all the time, building a practice online makes it easier to keep up. Just look at all the new clinical guidance coming out each year. The learning really never ends.

The new tools on the market make it possible for treatment providers to keep up with continuing education mandates while also keeping their clients top of mind.

Another benefit of building your practice online is that it gives you the ability to create a community of clients and other like-minded professionals. When behavioral health professionals are isolated in their offices or practices, they don’t get the benefit of cross-collaboration with other professionals.

“Building a community around behavioral health builds resiliency,” added Trigubenko. “Not only does it help practitioners stay on top of the latest advances and methodologies in their fields, but it also opens clients to a network of peers so they know they’re not alone.

"When it feels like nobody understands your situation, it’s healing to have a community you can turn to who cares and can help the practitioner shoulder the great need in mental, emotional health ... especially post-pandemic.”

Online telehealth platforms help reduce isolation and give providers a chance to share experiences, collaborate and offer more value to the people they treat. This is the true meaning of networking.

Platforms that have collaborative team workflows are built for mutual success. Instead of waiting for the right partner to move to your area, now all you have to do is build a program together online.

Online tools help providers focus more on care delivery

When you develop networks like these, mentoring relationships grow organically as professionals learn from each other and work together to foster growth by attracting others to join. Having an online networking community like this offers professionals an opportunity for consultation — to receive support around challenging clinical issues, get other perspectives and gain access to peer support.

Building an active community around your practice was once a time-consuming, expensive proposition. But now you can do this difficult work more easily and efficiently with unified online telehealth platforms. You can focus on the work you really care about: helping more people.

About the author 

Jay T. Ripton is a freelance healthcare, technology, and biomedicine writer out of Scottsdale. He loves to write to inform, educate and provoke minds. Follow him on twitter via @JTRipton.