Every time there’s a shooting, or a tragic child neglect story that hits the news, the narrative eventually circles back to a public outcry for better mental healthcare.
Tennessee Counseling experiences the daily truth that everyday Americans are underserved by our mental health systems.
Working families desperately need help with the aftermath of the pandemic. Nearly half of the U.S workforce has reported mental health issues since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Covid-19 was a slow-motion public disaster that resulted in the same trauma as major events like a devastating hurricane or tornado. As a result, many providers are at treatment capacity” said Clay Harris, Chief Executive Officer of Tennessee Counseling.”
One in four people has treatable mental health difficulties, though somewhere around 75% of them aren’t getting the care and treatment they need. While this portion of the population without treatment is obviously varied and diverse, professional middle-class working Americans constitute a large portion of those untreated. Those attempting to access mental health services are experiencing calls going to voicemail, not receiving a return call, and getting calls back saying that an appointment for services is not available for up to 3 months. There is a clear gap between those who are trying to get help and being able to actually get it.
Why? We believe there are several factors that are contributing to this gap in services, and that telehealth technology is helping to bridge the gap.
Families are busy!
One of the biggest reasons reported for not engaging in counseling is that people are working more hours while simultaneously juggling childcare and chaotic schedules. For some, taking the additional time to drive to a counseling appointment is a legitimate issue.
Telehealth eliminates that drive time. Find a quiet place to do a video conference on a mobile phone or laptop and there’s no need to get into the highway gridlock.
Traditional work hours of 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM may also present an issue for workers that can’t take time off for counseling. Fortunately, Tennessee Counseling Telehealth schedules often have openings outside of those hours that are available to our clients.
For example, Tennessee Counseling offers evening appointments as late as 7:00 PM or even on Saturdays at times, which is something not typically provided by other providers. That time flexibility is ideal for a parent that follows a traditional workday schedule.
People are often intimidated or embarrassed about seeing a counselor.
Stigma is another key contributing factor when it comes to someone’s decision to forgo counseling. Around 47% of Americans view seeking counseling as a sign of weakness. While that’s a view that’s unsubstantiated, it keeps people from seeking the help they need.
Not to mention, the fear of being seen on the way to a mental health appointment, or having a colleague see your car in the parking lot.
These issues that previously discouraged people from taking the initial leap into counseling are all eliminated through the very private experience that telehealth offers.
Telehealth creates a space to engage with mental health services while in the comfort of one’s own home. It allows people to open up and be vulnerable in a place that is familiar and safe to them.
Therapy costs money that insurance may not cover.
Facts are stubborn things. It’s true that if you make a professional wage, you may likely pay more for your health insurance.
Tennessee Counseling offers options to cover the costs of services. We accept a wide array of insurance providers and offer flexible self-pay options as well.
Telehealth is helping bridge the cost gap for professional people, high-income earners, and working middle Americans:
- Using our telehealth services allows for less time being spent on counseling overall allowing people to be more productive. longer appointments. There’s no time spent transitioning or settling into a physical space, traveling to an appointment, or time spent in waiting rooms.
- Telehealth services may be scheduled when it does not interfere with a clients’ work schedule.
- Couples Counseling and Family Counseling is more convenient using telehealth and may be done together instead of multiple individual sessions.
Availability of therapists has been reported as an issue.
Many practices firms are not taking new appointments, but that’s not the case at Tennessee Counseling! We have among some of the best Professional Counselors, Psychologists, and Psychiatrists across Tennessee.
Tennessee Counseling also has a call center that is available with operates permanently on extended hours. Taking calls from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9:00 until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.
We have experienced professionals that are ready to help. Tennessee Counseling recruits and retains the best professionals in the healthcare industry. Our business is family-owned and family-friendly. Clients and counselors alike enjoy the culture and approach to helping overcome problems and meeting goals.
Clinicians at Tennessee Counseling have fully embraced the resource of telehealth. The platform is easy to use and accessible from almost all devices.
Tennessee Counseling Telehealth Services
We understand that attending therapy, counseling, or seeking treatment, isn’t easy, but we encourage people seeking mental health solutions to give telehealth a try. Anxiety among our population is at an all-time high. However, you don’t have to worry about partnering with Tennessee Counseling for help. They will walk you through the entire process and explain how everything works from start to finish. They have plenty of tech tips to ensure you get connected.
Tennessee Counseling’s mission is centered around providing therapy to a wide array of those who need, or want, to begin or continue their mental health journey. They are dedicated to providing the best teletherapy service possible. With locations spanning Tennessee, and dedicated healthcare professionals adept at maximizing teletherapy, they are bridging the gap to make a difference.
If you can count yourself as one of the many who have been kept out of therapy by the barriers listed in this article, don’t wait, schedule an appointment today for an easier and more accessible healthcare experience.
