It’s a scientifically proven fact that millions of people suffer from “the blues” every year around this time.  If you think about it, it’s easy to come up with the reasons why.  The days are shorter, giving you less time to spend outside in the sunshine.  There are so many holiday functions, get togethers, and parties going on.  We are dashing from shop to shop trying to finish buying gifts.  We all have to-to lists that seem to never end!

Everyone might feel sad or down from time to time, but if you are experiencing a deeper feeling, which might have you shutting people out, making you lose interest in your normal activities, sleeping excessively, or not wanting to leave your house at all, it may be time to talk to a healthcare provider about what’s going on.  And if you’re a person who doesn’t want to leave your house, don’t worry–with telehealth, you don’t have to.  With an internet connection, an online counselor can virtually come to you!

Internet based medical and therapeutic services have been in existence for several years now.  Instead of having to go out to an actual office and wait for an indeterminate amount of time, you simply request an appointment, and you will be contacted in the comfort of your own home by the provider you choose.  You might have known that you can get checked out for such things as colds, sore throats, and rashes, but did you know that you can also find certified therapists and counselors in some telehealth services?

I myself have used some of these services before, and I have always been satisfied with the results.  I think the best part is, you can have one session as a sort of trial, and if the counselor or just the idea of telehealth turns out to be something that’s not for you, you can always decide to go the route of traditional therapy.

Since the advent of telehealth, both medical and other services such as counselling have been accepted by more and more insurance companies as being a cost effective way to get clients seen.  Thus, many insurance companies will cover the cost of virtual doctor visits.  And if your insurance company does not, you should know that telehealth visits are often still less expensive than going to the traditional provider’s office and paying out of pocket for a visit.

Another fact that might be important for you to consider is that the providers on telehealth services, most of the time, have all the same privileges online that they do in their offices–meaning they can write prescriptions, thought this is not true in all states.  That’s why seeing your doctor online might be a good choice if you just need to do a quick check up to get a prescription refill.

In the rush of this season, no one wants to spend unnecessary time in a doctor’s office! If you need to talk to someone, ask your doctor or insurance provider how you can connect with a telehealth service.