What is Teletherapy?

Telemental health is a specific vehicle of mental health treatment delivery that utilizes secure online video-based technology to connect mental health professionals with patients who need services but cannot attend therapy because of distance, financial restrictions of travel, health limitations, or other constraints. Using private, secure, high definition, cutting-edge video technology, professionals can connect with and offer services to patients without being in the same location. We currently provide mental health services to patients and families who live near Lubbock and have the ability to come to our clinic. However, there are many patients and family members who are in need of treatment but are unable to utilize the therapy services provided in our clinic. Teletherapy would provide easier access to needed therapy for these children and family members who experienced or were exposed to traumatic events, with the goal of reducing symptoms of ASD and PTSD. Ease of Access to Services: Those who would benefit from the telemental health services include pediatric trauma patients and family members of trauma-exposed children who cannot access mental health services because of barriers such as distance, transportation, and health. Being a notable and widely respected hospital within Texas, UMC continues to expand its reach to communities outside of Lubbock and into rural communities within Western Texas and Eastern New Mexico. Upon discharge, many of the hospital’s patients travel several hours to their residences. Providing telemental health services to these patients and their families, would allow them to access this needed support and treatment with minimal disruption to a patient’s at-home recovery or the family’s schedule, and zero additional expenses for travel. Patients will access Further, with only a fraction of those in America that need mental health services actually seeking it, providing a service that is easier to access, more convenient, more private, and at no cost, removes many of the barriers that inhibit participating in mental health treatment.​