For a lot of people in Idaho, the nearest therapist is not down the street — it is an hour’s drive, or a bus ride that does not line up with work, or a trip that is hard to make every week. Telehealth changes that. It brings counseling and other mental health services to you, wherever you are in the state, through secure video.
If you have wondered whether therapy over video actually works, or whether it is right for you, here is what to know.
What Telehealth Is
Telehealth means meeting with your provider by secure video call instead of in person. You log in from home, your office, your car, or anywhere private with a decent internet connection. The session itself is the same as an in-person visit — same therapist, same conversation, same confidentiality — just on a screen.
At A Body & Mind Health Services, telehealth is available statewide in Idaho for counseling and other services. Your provider is an Idaho-based professional, and the care is the same quality you would get in one of our offices.
Who Telehealth Helps Most
Telehealth works well for many people, including:
- Anyone who lives far from an office — rural Idaho, small towns, or anywhere a drive would eat half the day
- People with transportation challenges, or who cannot easily leave home
- Parents juggling childcare, or workers who can only fit a session into a lunch break
- People who feel more comfortable opening up from their own space
- Anyone who started care in person and wants to keep going after a move
It is also a practical option when you want care quickly. Because telehealth removes the drive, appointments can often be scheduled sooner, and it is easier to keep them.
Does Therapy Over Video Actually Work?
Yes. Research has consistently found that therapy delivered by video is effective for many of the same concerns as in-person therapy, including anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma. The relationship with your therapist — the part that matters most — carries over video just fine for most people.
That said, telehealth is not right for every situation. Some people simply prefer being in the same room, and some concerns are better handled in person. If you try telehealth and it does not feel right, you can switch to in-person care at one of our offices in Boise, Middleton, Twin Falls, Moscow, or Kamiah.
What You Need
Not much. A phone, tablet, or computer with a camera, a reasonably steady internet connection, and a private place to talk. If you are not sure your setup will work, our team can walk you through it before your first session — a quick test call takes a few minutes and saves a lot of guesswork.
Sessions are private and secure. We use a HIPAA-compliant video platform, and your session is never recorded.
How to Get Started
We are now welcoming new clients for telehealth across Idaho, and we currently have openings. To start, call 208-683-8320 or visit the Get Started page at abmhealthservices.com. We accept most insurance plans in Idaho, and Medicaid is welcome. Our team can help you check your benefits and set up your first video session.
You do not need to be tech-savvy to do this. If you can join a video call, you can do telehealth — and we will help with the rest.
If you are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, any time, day or night.