With the rise of remote therapy jobs, there has never been a better time to pursue a career in the mental health field. Many therapists are turning to remote work to provide outpatient clients with mental health support, guidance, and treatment plans from the comfort of their own homes — and it’s paying!
From the flexibility of setting your own hours to the different types of clients you can work with, working as a remote therapist comes with a plethora of benefits.
So if you’re interested in pursuing a career as a remote therapist, this article is for you. Here you will learn the ins and outs of being a remote therapist, the skills and qualifications needed, how to find the right job, and tips for those considering starting a private practice.
What Is a Remote Therapist?
A remote therapist is a mental health professional who offers therapeutic services from a distance, typically through teletherapy over the internet via video conferencing, email, chat, or telephone. Remote therapists provide an array of services, including:
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling — or psychotherapy as it is sometimes known — is the practice of meeting with a client one-on-one in a safe and confidential environment. The aim is to provide the client a space to explore their thoughts and feelings without judgment and offer support, guidance, or advice as needed.
A licensed professional counselor (LPC) or other qualified mental health professional helps clients identify and address their emotional needs, gain insight into their behavioral health, and develop effective coping strategies for managing life’s challenges. Sessions typically last 45-60 minutes, though this may vary depending on the therapist and the needs of their client(s).
A licensed mental health therapist may employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, evidence-based assessments, or humanistic approaches to help clients explore and identify the underlying causes of distress.
Couples Counseling
Couples counseling focuses on helping people in a relationship resolve their differences and strengthen their connection. Experienced remote therapists have years of experience and use active listening and questioning, perspective-taking, and problem-solving techniques to help couples identify and work through their issues.
Typical topics of discussion for couples include:
- Communication skills.
- Trust and honesty.
- Family planning/parenting issues.
- Finances.
- Conflict resolution.
- Relationship boundaries.
Family Counseling
Family counseling is a form of psychotherapy that helps family members understand and work through areas of contention. It focuses on helping the family identify and address underlying problems, develop effective communication skills, strengthen relationships, and learn to manage conflicts better.
There are five approaches to family therapy a remote therapist may use:
- Structural
- Strategic
- Systemic/Milan
- Narrative
- Transgenerational
Each approach focuses on different aspects of family life, such as communication styles, roles and boundaries, and power dynamics, to help the family work through their challenges. No one strategy is advantageous over the other, and the approach a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) picks will depend on the family’s specific needs.
Group Therapy
Group therapy, or group counseling, involves multiple participants, usually 5 to 15, and one or more therapists discussing common issues or concerns. The primary goals of group therapy are to provide emotional support, help participants learn from each other’s experiences, and work together to identify and manage issues. Group therapy falls under two categories:
- PsychoEd/content-oriented: The focus is on problem-solving and learning skills to manage emotions. Participants discuss topics like behavior, emotions, communication, and relationships.
- Process-oriented: The focus is on understanding the dynamics of group interactions. Participants examine how they interact with each other, observe behavior patterns, and identify areas for growth and improvement.
Though the therapist may lead the discussion, group members take an active role in sharing their thoughts, opinions, and feelings. The therapist also ensures a safe, supportive, and healthy environment for the group participants to feel comfortable sharing and discussing their issues.
Qualifications Needed
To become a remote therapist, certain qualifications must be met. The most important of these qualifications are:
- State license/board certification
- Master’s degree in counseling or a related field
- Familiarity with ethical and legal considerations of online therapy services
With the right qualifications and knowledge, you can be successful as a remote therapist. Familiarize yourself with APA’s ethics code and approved guidelines to ensure you provide a safe, secure, and compliant service.
Build a private practice
What It’s Like to Work as a Remote Therapist
Working as a remote mental health care professional offers both freedom and flexibility.
Alan Deibel, a remote Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with grow Therapy says: “It’s very rewarding, it reaches clients that wouldn’t otherwise show up for therapy, and the commute is great!”
Top benefits of this remote work setting include:
Flexibility to Work from Anywhere and Set Your Own Hours
Unlike the traditional onsite model, remote therapy offers greater flexibility, allowing you to work from anywhere and set your own hours. You can reduce your commute time and work from the comfort of your home or any other location you choose.
This allows you to manage your own schedule, set up appointments with clients without having to worry about traffic or bad weather, and balance your professional and personal life.
It’s Cheaper
You don’t need an office or any special equipment to start your practice. All you need is a computer, stable internet connection, and support from a platform like Grow Therapy, who will help with credentialing and billing. You don’t have to worry about rental costs, purchasing furniture, and other overhead costs associated with a brick and mortar office.
You Can Reach People All Over Your State of Licensure
Remote therapy eliminates geographical boundaries, allowing you to reach more people throughout your state of licensure. You can work with clients in rural areas that may not otherwise have access to mental health care services. This allows you to expand your client base, access new markets, and diversify your income sources. For global outreach, you must adhere to other countries’ laws regarding behavioral healthcare.
Comfortable for Many Clients
Modern day busy lifestyles, travel constraints, and time-related pressures make it difficult for many clients to attend in-person sessions. Many people find remote therapy more convenient, comfortable, and less stressful.
Clients feel more relaxed, can express themselves more openly, and enjoy the benefit of being in a familiar setting. As a remote therapist, you don’t have the pressure of creating a perfect office space and the extra costs that come with it. Technology has leveled the playing field and made it easier to provide quality therapy services to clients.
How to Find a Remote Therapy Job
The chances of getting a job as a remote therapist are higher compared to other sectors. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 22% job growth rate from 2021 to 2031 for mental health counselors. Accordingly, an alarmingly increasing number of people require mental health services due to the stresses of modern life
If you’re interested in becoming a remote therapist, the first step is identifying potential employers and job opportunities. Depending on your qualifications and experience, there are various ways to find remote therapy jobs. Follow these tips to get started:
Visit Job Search Websites
Job search websites like Glassdoor, Indeed, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, and Monster are great resources for finding remote therapy jobs. These sites have dozens of part-time and full-time job postings for remote therapists, counselors, and mental health professionals.
You can use their search filters to refine your search results by location, experience level, job type, and other criteria.
Contact Staffing Agencies
Staffing agencies like Guideline Healthcare act as intermediaries, connecting employers and job seekers. They match qualified candidates with employers looking for remote therapy professionals.
Contact staffing agencies specializing in mental health and therapy job placements and create a profile to showcase your qualifications, experience, and skills. You can browse the American Staffing Association’s online directory to find reputable, certified staffing firms in your area.
Connect With Peers
Did you know 70% of open positions are never advertised, and 85% of jobs are filled through referrals? Networking with peers, colleagues, and other professionals is a great way to find out about job openings that aren’t posted online.
Attend professional conferences, join therapy-related communities, participate in online forums, and follow industry leaders on social media to expand your network and find out about open positions. The American Counseling Association (ACA) is a great resource to help you connect with peers, deepen your knowledge, and stay informed about job openings.
Search on Social Media
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are powerful job search tools. Companies often post open positions on their social media pages or through sponsored ads to reach a bigger audience.
Use keywords like “remote therapy jobs” or “telehealth positions” to find job postings that fit your qualifications and experience. You can also create a job alert, follow relevant hashtags, or join specialized groups dedicated to therapy, counseling, and mental health professionals.
Follow Industry News
Stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and news by subscribing to relevant newsletters, magazines, and blogs. This will help you learn about new job openings, gain valuable insights into the remote therapy job market, and learn about professional development opportunities.
The ACA, for instance, offers a wide range of resources such as webinars, podcasts, and publications to help mental health professionals stay up-to-date on job market trends.
Starting Your Own Private Practice
When asked about the best way to succeed in remote therapy practice, Kristina Anzell, a Licensed Family and Marriage Therapist with Grow Therapy, had this to say: “Start your own business and build it from the ground up. It’s an excellent option for self-motivated people with the skills to build a successful private practice.”
According to the American Psychological Association, 96% of therapists in the U.S. provide some services remotely. While some psychologists (4%) still prefer to see their patients in person, 50% of therapists have switched to a hybrid approach.
The numbers indicate that online therapy has taken root and is the way to go. So, how can you start your online practice successfully?
Register and Launch Your Practice Online
Once you have your ideal client in mind, you must register your practice with the relevant authorities in the state you plan to work from. Establish your practice as a legal business entity, such as a limited liability company (LLC) or professional corporation, to protect yourself and your practice from potential legal issues.
Get the necessary licensure, insurance coverage, and register for taxes. This might vary from state to state, so you’ll need to research the requirements in your area. You can apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) with the IRS, and open a business bank account to manage your company’s finances.
Pick the Right Teletherapy Software
Choosing the right teletherapy software is essential. You want to opt for a reliable, secure, and HIPAA-compliant system that can protect your patients’ privacy. You’ll also need video conferencing, online billing, messaging, and scheduling features.
Examples of HIPAA-compliant teletherapy software include:
- TheraPlatform
- Doxy.me
- GoToMeeting
- Zoom for Healthcare
- TheraNest
- Simple Practice
Choose software that meets your needs, fits your budget, and is user-friendly. Or you can start your practice with Grow Therapy for free today. We’ll provide the suite of software you’ll need to succeed.
Get a Professional Website
A professional website is your digital storefront. Your website should reflect your brand, showcase your services, and provide a way for people to contact you and book an appointment.
Make it visually appealing, easy to navigate, user-friendly, and responsive to provide a seamless, enjoyable user experience.
You can use website-building platforms such as WordPress or Wix, or hire a web designer to do it for you.
Market Aggressively
Create a multi-channel marketing strategy and leverage the power of social media, email campaigns, referrals, content marketing, and advertising. Take advantage of networking opportunities — attend conferences, join professional groups, submit articles to publications, and build relationships with other professionals in your niche. Search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) ads and directory listings can also help you reach more clients.
If this sounds overwhelming, getting started with Grow Therapy can make it easy. We’ll handle the marketing for you, showcasing your profile across various industry websites and get you high-quality client referrals. All you have to do is focus on helping people and we’ll handle the rest.
Build a Thriving Private Practice with Grow Therapy
Working as a remote therapist can be rewarding and fulfilling. It allows you to work with clients from anywhere in the world, on your own schedule, and without worrying about commuting to a physical office.
Ensure you have the necessary qualifications and understand the nature of being a remote therapist. Once you have these pieces in place, you can explore the many options available for remote therapy jobs.
Whatever path you choose, being a remote therapist can provide you the flexibility and satisfaction of helping people from the comfort of your home. To make the process easy, get started with Grow Therapy today and we’ll help you build a thriving private practice. We will handle the back end, including credentialing and billing, so you have more time to attend to your clients.
