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    3 min read 4 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Use Telehealth for Mental Health Support

    Online therapy and mental health counseling are now widely available by video — here's how to find a provider and what to expect.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Health & Wellness Tech
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    3 min read
    Steps
    4
    Topics covered
    telehealth
    mental health
    therapy
    counseling
    video
    medicare

    In this guide (4 steps):

    1. 1.Check if your insurance covers telehealth therapy
    2. 2.Find a telehealth therapist through your insurance
    3. 3.Use established telehealth mental health platforms
    4. 4.What to expect in your first session
    1

    Check if your insurance covers telehealth therapy

    ~23s
    Medicare covers mental health services from licensed clinical social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists via telehealth. As of 2026, Medicare covers telehealth mental health visits without requiring an in-person visit first (this was updated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026). Call the number on your Medicare card or go to medicare.gov to confirm your specific coverage. Most Medicare Advantage and private insurance plans also cover telehealth mental health visits.
    2

    Find a telehealth therapist through your insurance

    ~28s
    Log in to your insurance company's website and use the "Find a Provider" or "Find a Therapist" tool. Filter results for "telehealth" or "video visits." Look for therapists who specialize in areas relevant to you — seniors and aging, grief, anxiety, or depression. Your primary care doctor can also provide a referral, which some plans require.

    Quick Tip

    Psychology Today's therapist finder at psychologytoday.com/us/therapists has a telehealth filter and shows accepted insurance for each therapist. Many are listed as LGBTQ-affirming, grief specialists, or aging specialists.

    3

    Use established telehealth mental health platforms

    ~23s
    If finding an individual therapist is complicated, these platforms connect you with licensed therapists quickly: Teladoc Mental Health — covered by many insurance plans, easy to set up through teladoc.com. Doctor on Demand — psychiatric care and therapy covered by many insurers. BetterHelp and Talkspace — subscription-based, not usually covered by Medicare but accessible without insurance. Many state and county mental health lines also offer free phone counseling.
    4

    What to expect in your first session

    ~34s
    The first session is usually an intake appointment — the therapist asks about your background, what brought you to seek help, and your goals. You don't need to share anything you're not comfortable sharing in the first session. Most video therapy sessions are 45-50 minutes. You'll use the same telehealth setup as a regular video doctor appointment — a link emailed to you, a camera on your device, and a quiet private space.

    Quick Tip

    A few free mental health resources by phone: SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (free, 24/7, confidential). Veterans Crisis Line: 988 then press 1. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988.

    You Did It!

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    Mental health counseling by video call is now widely available. Most insurance plans cover it, including Medicare. And you can do it from home. For seniors, video therapy removes the need for transportation, can ease feelings of isolation, and gives you access to therapists who specialize in issues that come with aging. Here's how to get started.

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    telehealth
    mental health
    therapy
    counseling
    video
    medicare

    Official Resources

    Medicare.govMedlinePlus — Health InfoAARP Health & Technology

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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