Veterans’ preferences for mental health treatment via telehealth are dependent on their individual needs, but there are a few general principles that can be applied. For starters, veterans should be provided with the same level of care they would receive from an in-person provider, including direct access to clinicians who are trained and experienced in treating psychological conditions. Furthermore, due to the nature of many mental health issues, it is important that veterans have access to comprehensive care which includes psychotherapy and medication management services when needed (VA 1). In addition to these two aspects of care, telehealth providers must also ensure that all necessary safeguards are taken into account such as privacy protocols for HIPAA compliance (Christianson et al., 2020).

Telehealth has become increasingly popular among veterans due to its simplicity and convenience. Veterans may opt for this type of treatment because it allows them to remain at home or in other comfortable settings while receiving high quality mental health care without having to leave their home or wait long periods of time for appointments (VA 2). Additionally, some studies have found that virtual visits may lead to better outcomes compared to traditional face-to-face therapy sessions as patients feel more comfortable discussing sensitive issues such as trauma when they can do so from the safety and comfort of their own homes (Kornfield & Crighton-Smith 2018).

In order for veteran’s preferences for mental health treatment via telehealth services to be met adequately it is essential that proper protocols are followed. This includes ensuring patient privacy standards per HIPAA guidelines along with providing equal access and quality of care no matter where a patient receives his or her counseling session from. By following these practices we can ensure that all veterans have a safe space within which they can receive effective and appropriate treatments tailored specifically towards addressing their individual needs.