Telehealth Psychology and Neurodiversity: The Benefits of Therapy from the Comfort of Home
- VHC team
- Oct 21
- 4 min read
Online therapy that fits your life - not the other way around.
Why Choose Telehealth Psychology?
At VHC, we understand that showing up to therapy isn’t always easy, especially when travel, sensory environments, or scheduling make it feel impossible! That’s where telehealth online psychology comes in. Delivered via secure video calls (like Zoom or Google Meet), telehealth brings evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming care straight to your space - whether that’s your bedroom, car, or the couch with your cat, you can access neuroaffirming care from anywhere in Australia.
The Benefits of Telehealth
ND-friendly – No need to worry about travel, fluorescent lights, or unfamiliar waiting rooms. Join sessions from a space that feels safe and comfortable for you.
Comfort and privacy – Therapy works best when you feel relaxed. Bring your blanket, cup of tea, or favourite pet, whatever helps you feel at ease.
Time-saving – Skip the traffic and parking stress. Telehealth makes it easier to fit therapy into your day, giving you more time for what really matters.
Convenient & flexible – Whether you’re in a busy city or a remote town, you can still access quality, supportive, neuroaffirming therapy.
Our ND team gets it – Many of our clinicians are neurodivergent too. Working from home helps us manage our own sensory and energy needs, so we can show up for you with authenticity and care.
Is Online Therapy Effective
In short — yes.
Research shows that online therapy is just as effective as face-to-face therapy for a wide range of mental health concerns.
Here’s what the research shows:
Studies show that online therapy, particularly CBT, is as effective as face-to-face therapy for managing anxiety and depression (Andersson et al., 2014; Carlbring et al., 2018).
Research reviews find no significant difference in therapy effectiveness when delivered online vs in person (Greenwood et al., 2022).
Even during the height of COVID-19, when telehealth was new for many, outcomes remained stable for individuals experiencing anxiety and depression (Bulkes et al., 2022).
While many early studies were conducted during the pandemic, when both clients and clinicians were still adapting, today telehealth has evolved. Clinicians (like our team at VHC) are skilled and confident in delivering online therapy, providing a seamless, warm, and effective experience.
Telehealth and Neurodivergent Clients
For Autistic and ADHD clients, telehealth can make therapy more accessible with research and the lived experience of our team and community finding that telehealth therapy not only works, but is often preferred!
Some key findings:
Autistic adults report feeling more comfortable and less overwhelmed using telehealth compared to in-person settings (Johnsson & Bulkeley, 2021; Harris et al., 2022).
Families accessing NDIS supports found telehealth sessions just as effective, or even better, than face-to-face (Lawford et al., 2022).
Telehealth interventions for autistic children have shown similar outcomes to in-person programs for skills like communication, fine motor skills, and anxiety reduction (Wan-Chun et al., 2023; Yanicka et al., 2023).
For ADHD, online interventions also show promise in improving day-to-day functioning and improving focus (Songting Shou et al., 2022).
Telehealth psychology removes barriers like travel, sensory challenges, and limited local services, helping neurodivergent people access support comfortably and consistently.
Potential Considerations
While telehealth is effective for most, it may not suit everyone. Some individuals may benefit from more intensive or in-person approaches, especially in crisis situations or when privacy at home is difficult to maintain.
Not sure if online therapy is right for you? Reach out to our team and we’ll help you find the approach that best supports your needs and goals.
Your Therapy, Your Way
At VHC, we believe mental health care should be flexible, accessible, and neurodiversity-affirming. Our team of online psychologists offer telehealth therapy so you can get the support you deserve, wherever you feel most comfortable. We celebrate individuality, honour lived experiences, and empower you to thrive on your own terms. Explore how our psychologists can support you!
References
Andersson, G., Cuijpers, P., Riper, H., Carlbring, P., & Hedman, E. (2014). Guided Internet-based vs. face-to-face cognitive behavior therapy for psychiatric and somatic disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. World Psychiatry, 13(3), 288–295. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20151
Bulkes, N. Z., Davis, K., Kay, B., & Riemann, B. C. (2022). Comparing efficacy of telehealth to in-person mental health care in intensive-treatment-seeking adults. Journal of psychiatric research, 145, 347–352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.11.003].
Carlbring, P., Andersson, G., Cuijpers, P., Riper, H., & Hedman-Lagerlöf, E. (2018). Internet-based vs. face-to-face cognitive behavior therapy for psychiatric and somatic disorders: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 47(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2017.1401115
Greenwood, H., Krzyzaniak, N., Peiris, R., Clark, J., Scott, A. M., Cardona, M., Griffith, R., & Glasziou, P. (2022). Telehealth Versus Face-to-face Psychotherapy for Less Common Mental Health Conditions: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. JMIR mental health, 9(3), e31780. https://doi.org/10.2196/31780
Harris, L., Gilmore, D., Hanks, C., Coury, D., Moffatt-Bruce, S., Garvin, J. H., & Hand, B. N. (2022). “It Was Surprisingly Equivalent to the Appointment I Had in Person”: Advantages and Disadvantages of Synchronous Telehealth for Delivering Primary Care for Autistic Adults. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 26(6), 1573–1580. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613211060589
Johnsson G, Bulkeley K. Practitioner and Service User Perspectives on the Rapid Shift to Teletherapy for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum as a Result of COVID-19. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18(22):11812. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182211812
Lawford, B. J., Hinman, R. S., Morello, R., Oliver, K., Spittle, A., & Bennell, K. L. (2022). Perceptions about the efficacy and acceptability of telephone and video-delivered allied health care for adults with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional national survey. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 103(7), 1368-1378.
Songting Shou, Shengyao Xiu, Yuanliang Li, Ning Zhang, Jinglong Yu, Jie Ding, & Junhong Wang. (2022). Efficacy of Online Intervention for ADHD: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.854810
Wan-Chun, S., Cleffi, C., Srinivasan, S., & Bhat, A. (2023). Telehealth Versus Face-to-Face Fine Motor and Social Communication Interventions for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Efficacy, Fidelity, Acceptability, and Feasibility. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(6). https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2023.050282
Yanicka L. de Nocker, & Christina K. Toolan. (2023). Using Telehealth to Provide Interventions for Children with ASD: A Systematic Review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 10(1), 82–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-021-00278-3
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