Telehealth PTSD Therapy: Everything You Should Know

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious condition that can disrupt daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. For many people, therapy is essential for managing PTSD symptoms, but access to specialized treatment can be challenging due to geographic barriers, busy schedules, or personal preferences. Telehealth PTSD therapy offers an effective solution, providing evidence-based treatment through secure online platforms.

This article explores how telehealth PTSD therapy works, its effectiveness, and what to expect from Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)—two of the gold-standard treatments for PTSD available through telehealth.

How Does Telehealth PTSD Therapy Work?

Telehealth PTSD therapy allows people to receive real-time, structured treatment through video sessions with a licensed therapist. Instead of attending therapy in person, sessions are conducted online, offering flexibility while maintaining the same structured, evidence-based approach as in-office treatment.

Telehealth therapy for PTSD typically involves:

Live video sessions with a trauma-trained therapist.
HIPAA-compliant platforms that protect privacy and confidentiality.
Structured treatment plans tailored to the person’s specific PTSD symptoms.
Home-based therapy exercises to reinforce progress between sessions.

For people in rural areas, those with mobility limitations, or anyone preferring the comfort of their home, telehealth makes PTSD treatment far more accessible.

Is Telehealth Effective for PTSD Treatment?

Yes—research consistently shows that telehealth PTSD therapy is as effective as in-person therapy for treating trauma-related disorders. Studies indicate that CPT and PE, when delivered via telehealth, lead to significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, with comparable success rates as face-to-face therapy (Acierno et al., 2017; Morland et al., 2020).

Why Telehealth PTSD Therapy Works:

Therapist-Guided Exposure: In PE, exposure exercises can be conducted in the person’s actual environment, making therapy more practical.
Cognitive Restructuring from Anywhere: CPT focuses on changing unhelpful trauma-related thoughts, which can be effectively addressed through online sessions.
Increased Accessibility: More people can receive specialized PTSD care, even if they live in remote areas or have limited local options.

Telehealth removes traditional barriers, allowing more people to receive high-quality, research-backed PTSD treatment regardless of location.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) via Telehealth

What is CPT?

CPT is a structured, cognitive-based therapy designed to help people challenge and modify unhelpful thoughts about their trauma. PTSD often leads to distorted beliefs, such as “I am permanently damaged” or “I can’t trust anyone.” CPT helps reframe these beliefs, reducing distress and improving emotional regulation.

How CPT Works in Telehealth

CPT typically lasts about 12 sessions, with each session focusing on:

Understanding PTSD and Its Effects – Learning how trauma affects thoughts and emotions.
Identifying Stuck Points – Recognizing patterns of distorted thinking that sustain PTSD symptoms.
Cognitive Restructuring Exercises – Challenging and modifying harmful beliefs through structured writing exercises and discussion.
Applying New Thinking Patterns – Integrating healthier thought processes into daily life to reduce distress.

Why CPT Works Well in Telehealth:

Thought-challenging exercises can be done from home, allowing people to reflect in a comfortable setting.
Online journaling and writing assignments can be shared securely with therapists.
Remote sessions encourage consistent engagement, reducing therapy dropouts.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) via Telehealth

What is PE?

PE is a behavioral-based therapy that helps people gradually confront trauma-related fears instead of avoiding them. PTSD often leads to avoidance behaviors, which can keep distress alive for years. PE breaks the cycle of avoidance, allowing people to process trauma in a safe, controlled way.

How PE Works in Telehealth

PE typically lasts 8-12 sessions and includes two core components:

Imaginal Exposure – Repeatedly recounting the traumatic memory out loud with guidance from a therapist, helping reduce distress over time.
In Vivo Exposure – Gradually facing real-world situations that have been avoided, such as driving after a car accident or being in public places after an assault.

Why PE Works Well in Telehealth:

Exposure exercises can be completed in real-time, in a person’s actual environment (e.g., facing a feared situation while on a live call with the therapist).
Reduced dropout rates compared to traditional in-person exposure therapy.
Flexible scheduling makes consistent participation easier, ensuring people stick with treatment.

Benefits of Telehealth PTSD Therapy

Increased Access to Specialists
- Many people live in areas where trained PTSD therapists are scarce. Telehealth connects them with highly trained trauma specialists, no matter where they are.
Convenience and Flexibility
- Therapy sessions can fit into a person’s schedule without travel time, making it easier to stay consistent with treatment.
Privacy and Comfort
- People can receive therapy in their own home, avoiding the discomfort of going to a clinic or office.
Research-Backed Effectiveness
- Multiple studies confirm that telehealth CPT and PE are just as effective as in-person therapy for PTSD.
Cost-Effective
- Telehealth may reduce costs by eliminating travel expenses and allowing for more flexible therapy scheduling.

How to Get Started with Telehealth PTSD Therapy

If you’re considering telehealth therapy for PTSD, here’s what to expect:

Initial Consultation: You'll meet with someone who understands mental health to figure out if telehealth treatment is right for you.
Formal Intake: A licensed therapist will assess symptoms and discuss treatment goals.
Structured Therapy Plan: CPT or PE will be used based on the person’s needs.
Ongoing Support: Homework assignments and structured exercises will reinforce progress between sessions.

Take the First Step Toward PTSD Recovery

If you’re looking for telehealth PTSD therapy, North Star Psychology offers Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) through secure online sessions. Our approach is evidence-based, effective, and tailored to your needs.

Call us at (205) 797-1897 or email us at info@NorthStarPsyc.com to schedule a consultation. We’ll usually respond within one business day.

Recovery is possible—let’s take the first step together.

References

Acierno, R., Knapp, R., Tuerk, P., et al. (2017). A non-inferiority trial of Prolonged Exposure for PTSD: In person vs. home-based telehealth. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 89, 57-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2016.11.009

Morland, L. A., Mackintosh, M.-A., Glassman, L. H., Wells, S. Y., Thorp, S. R., Rauch, S. A. M., Cunningham, P. B., Tuerk, P. W., Grubbs, K. M., Golshan, S., Sohn, M. J., & Acierno, R. (2020). Home-based delivery of variable length prolonged exposure therapy: A comparison of clinical efficacy between service modalities. Depression and Anxiety, 37(4), 346–355. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22979