Overcoming Telehealth Challenges for Stronger Family Connections

Navigating Telehealth Adoption: Challenges for Families and Strategies for Building Strong Connections

Every year, thousands of families transition to telehealth services for mental healthcare. While telehealth can be a transformative experience for both families and individuals seeking support, the transition process can present unique challenges as everyone adjusts to this new approach to care.

Fortunately, there are effective strategies that can help families strengthen communication and build strong dynamics while using telehealth services. Here, we’ll explore common challenges faced by families during the telehealth adoption process and strategies for fostering strong family connections through virtual care.

Understanding the telehealth onboarding process

The telehealth journey typically begins with an educational component as family members explore informational materials and communicate with a telehealth provider like ReachLink. This initial step serves as an opportunity for potential clients to ask questions about the process and determine if telehealth mental healthcare aligns with their family’s needs.

The next stage often involves a comprehensive needs assessment conducted by a licensed mental health professional. Families can usually expect this process to be thorough but efficient. Following this, clients may complete questionnaires that help providers create a personalized treatment plan. Then, the family is typically matched with appropriate therapists based on their specific needs, preferences, and goals.

Potential challenges families face before starting telehealth

Families can encounter several challenges before beginning telehealth therapy. First, there’s often an initial assessment process, which may feel uncomfortable for some. This evaluation can involve personal questions about family dynamics, mental health history, and specific concerns that people aren’t accustomed to discussing openly.

In some cases, families might receive recommendations for a different type of care than they initially sought. Some may feel uncertain about this guidance, but it often means that the provider believes another approach would better address their specific needs. Rarely, a provider might determine that telehealth isn’t the appropriate option for a particular situation and recommend in-person care instead.

Common challenges families experience during telehealth adoption

After being matched with a therapist, families may undergo a period of adjustment as they become accustomed to the telehealth format. This transition can be challenging at first as everyone adapts to communicating through video sessions and other digital platforms.

Families may also experience difficulty forming a connection with their therapist through a screen, depending on their comfort with technology and previous therapy experiences. Those who are accustomed to traditional in-person therapy may feel hesitant to open up in a virtual environment, especially if they’ve had negative experiences with healthcare in the past. Family members may experience a sense of disconnect as a result in some cases.

Additionally, when multiple family members participate in telehealth sessions, they may experience conflicts regarding privacy, session scheduling, or the focus of therapy. Balancing the needs of each family member during virtual sessions can be stressful for everyone involved.

Strategies that help families thrive in telehealth therapy

Families can build a strong therapeutic experience using telehealth by implementing several strategies:

• Create a dedicated space for sessions. Families may find their telehealth experience more effective if they designate a specific, private area for therapy sessions. This doesn’t require elaborate setup—simply ensuring a quiet, comfortable space where conversations can happen without interruptions or concerns about privacy.
• Establish a consistent routine. Families might benefit from scheduling sessions at regular times that work for everyone involved. This consistency can help normalize the telehealth experience and integrate it smoothly into family life.
• Prioritize mental health discussions between sessions. Telehealth families may benefit from speaking openly about mental health outside of therapy sessions. Parents might emphasize to children that they can always discuss anything that bothers them. This ongoing dialogue reinforces the work done during formal therapy sessions.

Where can families get support for telehealth adoption?

Families can often receive support directly from the mental health professionals at their telehealth provider. While therapists typically focus on addressing specific mental health concerns, they can also offer strategies to help families maximize the benefits of telehealth therapy. Given that these professionals understand both the telehealth platform and the family’s specific needs, they can provide tailored guidance to help overcome any technical or communication barriers.

In addition to speaking with their therapist, families may benefit from connecting with other families who use telehealth services. Those who can’t find other families locally might explore online groups or forums specifically for telehealth users.

Seeking additional support for telehealth-related challenges

The challenges outlined here represent just a few examples of what families might face before, during, and after beginning telehealth therapy. For those looking for additional support along the way, ReachLink offers comprehensive resources and guidance.

Exploring specialized telehealth programs

Families who need support for specific issues might consider specialized telehealth programs. ReachLink offers targeted treatment programs for various mental health concerns, including family therapy designed to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of telehealth therapy. For example, research published in 2021 indicates that online family therapy can be highly effective for improving relationships and mental health outcomes for both parents and children.

Takeaway

Families adopting telehealth services often face various adjustment challenges. They can foster stronger family dynamics by creating dedicated therapy spaces, establishing consistent routines, and prioritizing mental health through open communication. With the right approach and support, telehealth can provide an accessible, effective path to improved mental wellbeing for the entire family.