ReachLink Therapy: Session Length and Maximizing Your Time

How Long Are ReachLink Therapy Sessions? A Guide To Making The Most Of Your Time

Those considering telehealth therapy may wonder how long a typical ReachLink session lasts. ReachLink therapy sessions are generally 30 to 45 minutes long, depending on the therapist and client’s preferences. Unlike traditional in-person therapy, which often follows a standard 50-minute session, ReachLink offers flexible options tailored to individual needs.

ReachLink is a pioneer in the telehealth mental health space, partnering with numerous licensed professionals who provide remote therapy sessions. Below, find out what to expect from a ReachLink session, including its format, length, and tips for making the most of your time with a therapist.

An overview of telehealth therapy

As technology has improved, it has led to more convenient methods of receiving psychological care. Telehealth therapy is an increasingly widely utilized form of mental health care that allows individuals to work with therapists virtually through secure video sessions conducted on specialized platforms. In a 2021 APA survey, 96% of psychologists reported providing online mental health services.

How telehealth therapy helps bridge the mental health treatment gap

With telehealth counseling services, therapy sessions can be conducted and attended from almost anywhere, as long as the therapist and client both have an internet connection. This increased convenience compared to in-person therapy helps bridge the mental health treatment gap—the difference between the number of people who need care and the number of people who receive it.

Telehealth counseling helps participants overcome various barriers to care, including financial constraints, geographical limitations, and perceived stigma regarding mental illness. Unlike in-person therapy sessions, individuals participating in video sessions do not have to commute to an office, sit in a waiting room, or plan for traffic or transit delays. Participants can also reach out to their therapists through secure messaging. Additionally, telehealth therapy allows individuals to change therapists if they feel their current match isn’t the right fit.

How long are ReachLink sessions?

Understanding how therapy sessions are structured may help you effectively engage in the therapeutic process and take steps toward your goals. As you plan for a session, it can help to know how much time you want to dedicate to a given topic. Additionally, you can double-check the allotted time with your therapist, ensuring you’re on the same page regarding session duration.

Typically, ReachLink therapy sessions last between 30 and 45 minutes. Depending on availability, you and your therapist may agree to meet for longer or shorter sessions. The duration of therapy sessions can also depend on the modality your therapist is utilizing. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions typically last 30 to 60 minutes. Group therapy sessions, which are available through ReachLink’s specialized treatment programs, typically last one to 1.5 hours.

Research suggests that telehealth therapy can lead to positive mental health outcomes in as few as five to 10 sessions. For example, in one study, the findings suggest that an online therapy program led to significant reductions in depressive symptoms. Additionally, the researchers concluded that telehealth therapy platforms “may represent an effective tool to treat individuals currently not willing to undergo face-to-face treatment.”

How does session length compare to traditional therapy?

Telehealth therapy sessions through a platform like ReachLink tend to last from 30 to 45 minutes, which is similar to many in-person therapy sessions. Typically, therapists provide support for 30 to 60 minutes in person. If someone is partaking in a special modality like family therapy or trauma-informed care, the sessions may be longer.

What is ReachLink?

ReachLink is a pioneering telehealth company specializing in mental health services that partners with numerous licensed mental health professionals. With ReachLink, participants can connect with their therapist through secure video conferencing, maintaining HIPAA-compliant protocols to protect client information. Additionally, ReachLink’s platform includes features for scheduling appointments, accessing resource libraries, and tracking progress.

ReachLink therapists include psychologists, licensed mental health counselors, licensed clinical social workers, and licensed marriage and family therapists. With ReachLink, clients are matched with professionals based on their specific needs and preferences. The company maintains rigorous standards for their mental health professionals, ensuring all are fully licensed, experienced, and receive ongoing training in telehealth best practices.

Exploring the telehealth therapeutic process

Telehealth therapy is similar to in-person counseling in many ways, though it provides certain benefits that can make the therapeutic process more convenient and flexible. The following are descriptions of how telehealth therapy progresses, from matching with a therapist to assessing a client’s improvements.

ReachLink matches the client with a therapist

When you sign up for ReachLink, you’re asked a series of questions to help you connect with the right professional. After the matching process, you’re provided with access to a secure virtual therapy environment, which you share with your therapist. The therapist may then make introductions and ask you clarifying questions regarding your mental health concerns. This process can help you start therapy in a focused manner, giving the therapist an idea of the challenges you’d like to address.

During your initial session, your therapist can gather further details on these concerns, asking you about any prior mental health conditions, medical illnesses, or lifestyle considerations. They may ask you about your symptoms and their impacts on your life. They may also introduce themselves and provide background on their qualifications and experience.

The therapist and client set goals and form a treatment plan

Once the therapist and client have identified the individual’s primary concerns, they can lay out achievable objectives. For example, a primary goal may be to reduce symptoms of panic attacks. This process gives the participant clearly defined therapeutic goals and allows the therapist to better evaluate their progress.

After objectives have been outlined, the professional can discuss the modalities and techniques they plan to utilize. Common therapeutic modalities include cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and client-centered therapy. For example, CBT could help a client understand how negative thought processes may be contributing to panic attacks.

Homework and other exercises are assigned

Therapists often provide clients with worksheets, at-home exercises, and other forms of homework that may help them reinforce certain concepts between sessions. For example, a therapist using CBT may ask a participant to write down any thoughts that precede symptoms of depression throughout the week. This process may help the individual identify potential unhelpful beliefs that are connected to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, etc.

As therapy continues, the therapist and client can assess how much progress has been made toward their stated goals. Doing so allows them to make alterations to their treatment plan or set new goals if necessary. Using the example of panic disorder, the individual may have been working toward fewer and less severe panic attacks. After several sessions, they might notice fewer panic attacks but no reduction in their severity. In this case, the therapist can suggest different coping techniques or change their modality to address the panic.

How to make the most of your telehealth therapy sessions

Telehealth therapy sessions are your time to address the topics and concerns for which you seek support. Your therapist can guide you through sessions by asking questions or bringing up past topics, but you have a significant amount of autonomy regarding how therapy progresses. Consider the following tips to help you engage with the therapeutic process effectively.

Prepare for therapy sessions

Completing homework, reviewing notes from previous sessions, and setting clear intentions for what you hope to achieve can make your therapy time more productive. It’s helpful to find a quiet, private space for your session where you won’t be interrupted, allowing you to focus fully on the conversation with your therapist. Being open and honest about your feelings and progress further enhances the therapeutic process, enabling your therapist to tailor strategies to best support your needs.

In summary, ReachLink therapy sessions offer a flexible, accessible, and effective way to receive mental health care through telehealth. Sessions typically last between 30 and 45 minutes, but can be adjusted based on your preferences and treatment goals. By understanding the structure of telehealth therapy and actively engaging in the process—from initial matching to setting goals and completing assigned exercises—you can maximize the benefits of each session.

Whether you’re new to therapy or looking for a convenient alternative to traditional in-person sessions, ReachLink provides a trusted platform to support your mental well-being. Embracing telehealth therapy empowers you to take meaningful steps toward your mental health goals in a way that fits your lifestyle and preferences. Remember, the most important factor in therapy’s success is your commitment to the process and collaboration with your therapist.