Quick Overview: The National Institute of Mental Health describes some digital approaches in which a therapist provides help at a distance. It also describes web-based programs and mobile apps designed to provide immediate information and feedback without a therapist. In plain terms, the difference described in that material is whether a therapist is involved in providing help. This general comparison cannot determine which option fits a particular person or predict what either option will be like.
Digital mental-health options can include different kinds of support. This article uses the limited descriptions provided by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Those descriptions can help clarify questions to ask about a specific offering, but they do not settle personal fit, treatment goals, or outcomes.
What NIMH Describes About Digital Options
NIMH describes psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, as a variety of treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. It notes that psychotherapies may use different approaches and that a therapist’s approach can depend on training and experience, the condition being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment.
In its discussion of digital health care, NIMH describes some approaches in which a therapist provides help at a distance. It separately describes web-based programs and mobile apps that are designed to provide immediate information and feedback in the absence of a therapist.
That is the narrow distinction available in the material: some digital care involves help from a therapist at a distance, while some web-based programs and mobile apps are designed to provide information and feedback without a therapist.
Therapist-Provided Help at a Distance
When NIMH refers to a therapist providing help at a distance, it is describing a digital approach that includes therapist involvement. The source does not say that every digital offering works this way. It also does not describe one required approach, set of goals, time frame, or result for therapist-provided help at a distance.
A prospective conversation can be a place to ask how therapy may proceed. NIMH states that preliminary conversations with possible therapists may happen in person, by phone, or virtually. It says these conversations can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with the therapist.
Programs Designed Without a Therapist
NIMH describes some web-based programs and mobile apps as designed to provide immediate information and feedback without a therapist. This description does not establish that every program or app has the same content or purpose. It also does not indicate what a particular program may be like for an individual user.
If an offering is described as a web-based program, a direct question can clarify whether a therapist provides help as part of that offering. Asking for a description of the program’s information and feedback may also help a person understand what the offering says it provides.
How Telehealth Appears in the SAMHSA Description
SAMHSA describes outpatient care as care in which a person has an appointment and leaves the same day. Its treatment information states that outpatient programs can be offered in person or through telehealth. In that description, telehealth means care online or over the phone.
This information describes ways outpatient care may be offered. It does not state that telehealth always means psychotherapy, that every telehealth service involves a therapist, or that every web-based program is outpatient care.
Questions That Keep the Comparison Specific
Rather than relying on a broad label, consider asking what a particular offering includes. The questions below stay close to the available descriptions from NIMH and SAMHSA.
| Reflection question | What the available information supports |
|---|---|
| Is a therapist providing help at a distance? | NIMH describes some digital approaches this way. |
| Is the offering a web-based program or mobile app? | NIMH describes some of these options as providing immediate information and feedback without a therapist. |
| Is the care described as outpatient? | SAMHSA describes outpatient care as having an appointment and leaving the same day. |
| Is the care offered in person, online, or by phone? | SAMHSA states that outpatient programs can be in person or use telehealth, meaning online or over the phone. |
| How will therapy proceed? | NIMH identifies this as a topic for a preliminary conversation with a possible therapist. |
What a Preliminary Conversation Can Clarify
NIMH states that therapists have different professional backgrounds and specialties. It identifies several questions that may help a person learn about therapy with a possible therapist. These include questions about the approach used, whether the therapist practices a particular type of therapy, the rationale and evidence base for the approach, goals of therapy, time frame, progress assessment, fees, and insurance.
NIMH also describes rapport and trust as essential in therapy. A preliminary conversation may help a person consider whether they feel comfortable with a therapist and have confidence in the therapist’s expertise.
These questions do not determine whether therapy, a web-based program, or another option is appropriate for a particular person. They can, however, help distinguish a therapist-involved service from a program designed to provide information and feedback without a therapist.
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- Does this offering involve a therapist providing help at a distance?
- What approach does the therapist use in therapy?
- What is the rationale and evidence base for that approach?
- What are the goals of therapy?
- How will progress be assessed?
- Does the therapist recommend a particular time frame or number of sessions?
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy’s FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as the first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
Rooted Integrative Therapy Information
Rooted Integrative Therapy offers individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. The practice states that it offers in-person care near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah.
Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, is listed by Rooted Integrative Therapy. The practice’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through its contact details or form. Its FAQs describe a consultation call as a first step for asking questions and considering fit.
These are practice-stated details about services, access, and inquiries. They do not describe every aspect of a service or determine whether a service fits a person’s circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a therapist provide help at a distance?
NIMH describes some digital approaches in which a therapist provides help at a distance.
Can a web-based program provide information without a therapist?
NIMH describes web-based programs and mobile apps designed to provide immediate information and feedback in the absence of a therapist.
Can outpatient care be offered online or by phone?
SAMHSA states that outpatient programs can be offered in person or through telehealth. In its description, telehealth means care online or over the phone.
Does telehealth describe every kind of digital mental-health offering?
The available material does not make that statement. SAMHSA uses telehealth to describe online or phone-based outpatient care, while NIMH describes several digital options.
Sources and Further Reading
Sources used for this article:
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Types Of Treatment
A Grounded Next Step
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests. Its FAQs describe a consultation call as a first step for asking questions and considering fit.
Please do not include urgent or highly sensitive clinical information in a general inquiry.
This article is for general education only. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for individualized mental-health care. A qualified mental-health professional can help you consider what fits your circumstances.