Online mental healthcare is here to stay: Here’s how to navigate your options and find the right clinician
Virtual access to mental healthcare is now very common, but figuring out how to choose a provider can be confusing. Alisa Zahoruiko/iStock via Getty Images Plus As a mental health nurse practitioner who sees patients both in person and via telehealth, I’m often struck by just how many of my patients would not have received any mental health treatment before the COVID-19 pandemic: the stay-at-home mother without any childcare; the college student on a rural campus,.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, fewer than 2% of people receiving mental health treatment did so online. During the pandemic, remote mental healthcare expanded rapidly, with Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurers beginning to cover online mental health visits in 2020. By 2025, about half of people receiving mental healthcare receive at least some of it remotely. This shift was driven by the need to meet patients where they are, such as stay-at-home parents, college students in rural areas, or individuals not ready to be seen locally. Online care offers convenience, ease, and privacy, allowing patients to access treatment from home, a parked car, or even during a work break. Clinicians now commonly offer services via telehealth, including psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, social workers, and licensed counselors.
Before searching for an online mental health clinician, it helps to define what you want to address. Write down the symptoms or behaviors troubling you, such as anxiety or mood changes that interfere with daily life. Consider whether you prefer talk therapy, medication, or both. Talk therapy includes approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing thought patterns and behaviors. You can find online clinicians for any type of mental health professional you’d see in person. Even if you’re unsure about your needs, a clinician can evaluate your concerns and recommend a treatment plan. For example, a therapist who doesn’t prescribe medication can still identify if medication might help and refer you to a psychiatrist or nurse practitioner who can prescribe it.
Online clinicians often list their specialties, treatment styles, and whether they offer therapy, medication, or both. Websites like Psychology Today provide profiles of licensed mental health professionals, including their background, qualifications, and treatment approaches. Avoid services labeled as life coaching, as these are not regulated like licensed mental health clinicians. If using insurance, confirm the clinician accepts your plan and clarify policies on copays, missed visits, and communication between sessions. Ensure the clinician has clear policies to avoid unexpected bills or gaps in care. Before your first session, ask about how urgent concerns or after-hours needs are handled to ensure continuity of care.
Your first online mental health session may feel different from in-person visits, but it should still be secure and private. Choose a quiet, comfortable space free from distractions. Both you and the clinician should be in private areas to maintain confidentiality. The session should allow clear communication, with no interruptions. The clinician will ask about your symptoms, history, and current concerns. After one or two meetings, they should provide a diagnosis and explain the treatment plan, including how it works and potential risks. If the clinician seems disorganized or inattentive, it may be a red flag. You should feel heard and understood, and be able to ask questions about your care.
Regulations for online mental healthcare have evolved since 2020. Medicare plans committed to covering remote mental healthcare through December 2027, but future coverage remains uncertain. During the pandemic, clinicians were allowed to prescribe controlled substances (medications with high misuse potential, like benzodiazepines or stimulants such as Adderall) via telehealth without an in-person exam. These rules expire in December 2026, though some states have additional laws requiring in-person visits. If you take controlled substances prescribed online, ask your clinician how they will manage potential changes in prescribing rules, which might involve switching to in-person care or adjusting your treatment plan.
Effective mental healthcare often requires teamwork between your online clinician and other healthcare providers, such as your primary care doctor. Share contact information and treatment details with all clinicians involved, and sign releases to allow them to coordinate care. Many mental and physical health conditions share symptoms, so collaboration ensures safe and effective treatment. For example, your primary care doctor can help manage medication side effects or order lab tests. Online mental healthcare can be as effective as in-person visits, but success depends on clear communication and teamwork among all providers.
