Abstract
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a nation-wide quarantine was mandated, which had a significant impact on the economy, healthcare, and lifestyle. It also dramatically changed the way mental health services were delivered. Many clinicians in private practice and at agencies rapidly transitioned the administration of mental health treatment to an online platform. The rapid upsurge of utilization of telemental health counseling (TMHC) yielded unexpected environmental benefits that have come to light by recent research. Some researchers shared concerns of TMHC efficacy compared to in-person counseling, however, other research comparing TMHC to in-person found comparable therapeutic outcomes. Research has also identified several knock-on effects such as increasing the accessibility and convenience of counseling services, while simultaneously reducing cost, and most importantly, reducing impact on climate change. This article reviews recent evidence and argues that TMHC has significant implications for the mental health field as a whole, specifically in its potential to mitigate the impact on climate change.
Recommended Citation
Bates, Daniel; Peterson, Greg; and sinclair, Vanessa
(2025)
"Exploring the Environmental Impacts of Telemental Health Counseling: Balancing Accessibility, Sustainability, and Climate Concerns,"
Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision: Vol. 6:
Iss.
1, Article 6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61888/2692-4129.1128
Available at:
https://digital.sandiego.edu/tces/vol6/iss1/6
Included in
Clinical Psychology Commons, Counseling Psychology Commons, Student Counseling and Personnel Services Commons
