In recent years, the world shifted to remote work and communication. As a result, telemedicine and teletherapy became more widespread. For many people, speaking to an online counselor is easier and more accessible than face-to-face visits.

Not only is it convenient, but it's usually more cost-effective. While teletherapy has many undeniable perks, questions of confidentiality and privacy prevail. So, is online therapy as safe and confidential as in-person therapy?

Cyber security Concerns

If you're worried about confidentiality, don't fret. Reputable platforms connect you to trained and licensed counselors. They abide by all the same regulations and ethics laws as a counselor you would meet in an office.

Confidentiality is not a problem with online counseling.

But what about security?

Cyber security is an ever-present concern. It doesn't take much to expose you to cyber threats like hacking and malware. Fortunately, online platforms invest heavily in cyber security. It's not only a matter of peace of mind or reputation. Online therapy platforms must adopt cyber security techniques to comply with HIPAA privacy rules.

The way that most systems comply with HIPAA is by using encrypted connections. With end-to-end encryption, platforms scramble data as it flows through the information highway between you and your online counselor. Specialized keys are the only way to unscramble that data and understand it. The only people who have those keys are you and your counselor!

Encryption is a game-changer that dramatically improves cyber security. Thanks to encryption technology, even if hackers infiltrated the connection and accessed the data, they wouldn't make sense of any of it.

Other Steps You Can Take

Of course, cyber security is a two-way street. Teletherapy websites will do what they can to keep your connection safe, but you must take measures, too.

To stay safe, use a private, password-protected Internet connection. Avoid using public Wi-Fi or any public network susceptible to cyber attacks.

To prevent others from hearing what you're saying, it's wise to complete counseling sessions in a private room. If you can't, wear headphones and sit in an area that's as far away from others as you can get.

Author Resource:-

Alester Brown writes about physiotherapy. She advises people on health care, online therapy, anxiety discussion groups & depression message boards. You can find her thoughts at LGBTQ community blog.