Mental health conditions are at an all-time high, but the shortage of mental health practitioners and lack of care remain a tough nut to crack. Even though the stigma around mental health is slowly diminishing, millions still feel uncomfortable seeking traditional, in-person support.
Stephanie Gilbert, LMFT analyzed this problem and developed a unique approach to bridge the gap between those who needed help and those who were providing it.
As an expert telehealth practitioner, Stephanie is a Beck Institute CBT Certified Clinician, LMFT, and mentor. She believes that telehealth can provide an affordable, accessible, and convenient way to deliver meaningful mental health care to individuals, no matter where they live. By using modern technology such as video conferencing, messaging apps, and other digital tools, Stephanie has been able to help many people who would not have approached traditional in-person therapy.
Stephanie employs a wide range of treatment approaches to assist her patients in alleviating their conditions. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).
Using outcome-driven therapy techniques, patients get relief from debilitating symptoms, a safe harbor from negative self-talk, and a guiding light to navigate difficult emotions. Such a multi-faceted approach equips patients with the tools they need to thrive in life, not just survive.
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the use of telehealth services for mental health care, and the effectiveness of this approach is now becoming evident.
Studies have shown that teletherapy can be as effective as face-to-face therapy, if not more. It enables people suffering from mental illnesses to receive treatment without fear of stigma. Also, the efficacy of telehealth has been widely acknowledged in ERP (exposure and response prevention) therapy, which is used as a first-line treatment for OCD. Furthermore, who can doubt the effectiveness of telehealth in rural or remote areas where people are unable to attend in-person sessions.
A survey conducted by Price Waterhouse Cooper found that 72 percent of respondents between the ages of 18-44 were willing to receive mental health treatment via telehealth instead of face-to-face. This result highlights the importance of telehealth services to improve access to care. Stephanie considered this data and tailored her practice to provide easy access, greater convenience, and faster results for those seeking mental health services.
“Telehealth decreases barriers like scheduling issues that can come from having to factor in travel time to and from therapy and increases the options to see a more specialized clinician that may not be in your area but is in the state,” said Stephanie. Her private practice, Stephanie Gilbert and Associates, is entirely telehealth-based and serves clients in California and Florida. Additionally, the associated payments for the services are flexible and range from sliding scales to insurance reimbursement.
Though telehealth practices may revolutionize mental health care, some limitations still need to be addressed. Most notably, telehealth can only provide limited services and cannot replace in-person therapy for more serious issues such as trauma or substance abuse. Additionally, digital platforms are not always secure, so all telehealth providers must have robust security protocols to ensure privacy.
Nevertheless, Stephanie Gilbert remains committed to providing accessible mental health care through innovative practices and technology. Her approach has made mental health care more available, affordable, and safe for all. By utilizing telehealth practices, Stephanie is helping to make a big difference in the lives of many.
For further information, visit Stephanie Gilbert and Associates or follow her on LinkedIn or Instagram.