Health Care at Your Convenience
Union members can access health care services more easily through telehealth services in Fort Myers. Telehealth services are available for a wide range of health care appointments including mental health counseling and addiction treatment. While most would not see these issues as an emergency situation, without proper help, substance abuse and mental health issues can quickly worsen. Getting in touch with a board therapist or counselor quickly can make a massive difference in recovery outcomes.
Telehealth services in Fort Myers allow union members to get an appointment with a counselor or therapist within 24 to 48 hours, instead of waiting for weeks. Telecommunications technology has greatly improved the ability of therapists to see more patients and for patients to have access to therapists across the country, instead of only within travel distance. Union members also have more flexibility to access therapists at any time or place, for example they can book an appointment during their lunch break.
6 Examples of Telehealth Services in Fort Myers
- Individual Therapy. Online one on one therapy can treat a range of mental health disorders and help manage issues related to relationships and life. Union members in Fort Myers can access online one-on-one therapy conveniently as talk therapy is easily transferable to an online platform. Individuals can get help for issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, traumatic events, divorce, job loss, and grief.
- Substance Abuse Counseling. Addiction does not happen overnight, it is a slow transition from substance abuse. Union members who are having difficulty controlling their substance use or find themselves using drugs or alcohol to cope with negative emotions or thoughts can quickly get help through telehealth counseling. Therapists can help union members control substance use before it turns into a substance use disorder or addiction.
- Group Counseling. Virtual peer support and therapy groups are beneficial for a wide range of issues, similar to what individual therapy treats. Group counseling can help union members feel connected to others who are going through similar crises, gain insight, and be motivated by others’ success.
- Telehealth for Medication-Assisted Treatment. While teletherapy and group counseling help treat the root cause of mental health and substance use disorders, union members can also access telehealth services from Fort Myers doctors and registered nurses who can prescribe psychiatric or addiction medications. Medication-assisted treatment is a great supplement to teletherapy so patients can get immediate relief from their symptoms while they learn and implement ways to manage their issues through therapy.
- Behavioral Health Counseling. Often, therapy is used interchangeably with behavioral health counseling, however, it is just one part of it. Telehealth behavioral counseling in Fort Myers can help union members learn how to take better care of their physical and mental health through stress management, lifestyle changes, and more. Individuals can begin to self-manage their health to avoid developing substance use or mental health disorders.
- Virtual Intensive Outpatient Programs (Virtual IOP). Union members struggling with substance abuse can access more structured programs with virtual IOP. Similar to in-person outpatient addiction treatment programs, virtual IOPs create personalized treatment programs that will address the underlying causes of addiction through various individual and group therapy sessions.
Can Union Members Request Telehealth Services in Fort Myers?
Union members in Fort Myers, Florida can get access to telehealth services more easily through Union First. Union dues pay for employee assistance services like the ones offered by Union First which offers confidential services to union members needing help with certain issues. Union First provides access to a private network of 40 telehealth therapists and can get members an appointment with someone who meets their needs and takes their insurance within 24 to 48 hours. When you call our 24/7 helpline, one of our team members will conduct an initial assessment of your current issues, and personal preferences, and verify your insurance to match you with treatment providers who meet your needs.
7 Advantages of Telehealth Services for Fort Myers Union Members
Telehealth services in Fort Myers can be just effective as in-person counseling and therapy when it is the right fit. More union members are using these services every day because of their benefits, which include:
- Lowered Costs. Telehealth therapy is less expensive than in-person therapy. Without the need to rent office space or higher receptionists, therapists can lower their prices and make consistent therapy more accessible to many.
- More Comfortable Setting. Some individuals find telehealth services more comfortable for them. With a range of platforms ranging from live video chats to text messaging, union members can find modes of therapy that work best for them, allowing them to open up more.
- No Commute Time. Teletherapy involves logging into a video portal, getting a call from your therapist, or texting back and forth, which requires zero commute time. Patients can go from clocking off at work directly to talking to their therapist and save time having to travel to a therapist’s office. Individuals without reliable transportation or who live in rural areas can also access counselors more easily.
- Increased Flexibility. Teletherapy appointments may be available any time day or night because you can access therapists in other time zones. This added flexibility allows union workers who may work odd hours access to board-certified counselors they might not have been able through in-person sessions.
- Ability to Access Care from Anywhere. Union members can access their appointment from anywhere in the world, which is an added benefit for those who travel often or have work schedules that change often. They can keep up with their appointments without having to find the time to fit them in.
- Easier Commitment to Treatment Improves Outcomes. Because telehealth therapy has easier access through no commute times, flexibility, and access from anywhere, patient retention is improved which improves treatment outcomes.
- More Accessible for Those with Special Needs. Telehealth is also more accessible for those with special needs, such as individuals with agoraphobia, social anxiety, or immunocompromised. Union members who are disabled or injured and have difficulty getting around may also benefit from telehealth services.
Union First Can Help Union Members in Fort Myers Access Telehealth Services
Union First is an employee assistance program that provides behavioral health and job protection services to union members, public service employees, and their families in Fort Myers and across the country. Unions provide their members with employee assistance services such as ours so they can have a team of experts on their side who can provide solutions to their problems.
Part of our services includes telehealth services which can get union members with substance abuse, mental health, or personal issues talking to a therapist quickly so they can get ahead of the problem. We manage each case individually and will connect you with tele-therapists who meet your needs, take your insurance, and have availability through our initial assessment. Union members also have access to various other services at Union First including treatment placement which matches members with comprehensive addiction and mental health problems in their areas and job protection services, which ensures your employment is protected when you seek out behavioral health services.
If you or your family member is struggling with addiction or mental health issues, please call our 24-hour helpline at (855) 215-2023 so we can assess your case and provide you with personalized solutions, either through telehealth or in-person treatment.