Widespread Shift Toward Virtual Behavioral Health
Telehealth is no longer just a stopgap solution—it has become a permanent and preferred method of care, especially in the behavioral health sector. A new national survey conducted by commercial real estate company Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) reveals that the majority of Americans now favor receiving behavioral health services virtually. These evolving Behavioral Telehealth Preferences are already reshaping how the industry operates.
The survey, which polled over 4,000 Americans in January, comes at a time when Medicare is expanding telehealth access points. Among respondents who expressed a preference, 82% said they preferred telehealth for behavioral health or psychiatry appointments. That percentage is just behind those who preferred minute clinic or retail clinic telehealth options, showing how strongly behavioral health stands out as a fit for virtual care. This trend in Behavioral Telehealth Preferences is driving lasting change in how mental health services are delivered and accessed.
Why Behavioral Health Works Well Online
Unlike physical health services that often require in-person diagnosis or hands-on procedures, behavioral health care is highly conducive to digital formats. Psychotherapy, psychiatric evaluations, and medication management can all take place effectively over secure video or audio calls. JLL cited data from the Advisory Board, noting that only 20% of outpatient visits may feasibly be virtual long-term—but behavioral health visits are an exception. Behavioral Telehealth Preferences are driven in part by this practicality.
Psychiatry, for example, has much higher compatibility with telehealth than specialties like ophthalmology or urology. That’s because behavioral care largely involves dialogue, emotional support, and structured planning, none of which require physical touchpoints. As a result, the infrastructure required is more about stability, privacy, and ease of access—critical considerations that are influencing Behavioral Telehealth Preferences nationwide.
Pandemic Growth and Sustained Demand
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth across all sectors, but the behavioral health field saw the most significant and lasting shift. Before the pandemic, only about 3% of psychiatric visits were virtual. By April 2020, that figure jumped to 61%. Today, those numbers remain consistently high in the low- to mid-60% range, indicating that Behavioral Telehealth Preferences have stabilized rather than faded.
This is in stark contrast to other medical fields. While many specialties experienced a similar spike in telehealth usage during the pandemic’s early days, most have returned to nearly pre-pandemic levels. Psychiatry and behavioral health, however, continue to thrive in the virtual space. These long-term usage trends demonstrate that Behavioral Telehealth Preferences are more than just a temporary adaptation—they’re a structural shift in how people want to receive care.
Convenience and Accessibility Drive Patient Choice
One of the most telling findings from JLL’s survey was that 70% of participants would have taken a behavioral health appointment sooner if one had been available. This demand for quicker, more flexible access aligns perfectly with Behavioral Telehealth Preferences, as virtual appointments reduce barriers like travel, time off work, and provider shortages.
Patients aren’t just looking for the nearest available provider—they want the right provider, and they want the option to see them in a way that fits into their lifestyle. With more digital behavioral health providers entering the market and refining their platforms, patients now have more choice than ever, which is helping solidify telehealth’s place in the long-term care model.
A Higher Standard for Personalization and Trust
Another important dimension of Behavioral Telehealth Preferences is the emphasis on personalization. JLL found that individuals seeking behavioral health or psychiatry services were 20% more likely to check reviews before choosing a provider compared to those seeking general physician services. This shows that patients aren’t just seeking any appointment—they want a trusted, quality interaction.
In a virtual environment, where body language and non-verbal cues may be harder to interpret, the connection between patient and provider becomes even more crucial. Trust, rapport, and communication style all matter more in these settings. As Behavioral Telehealth Preferences continue to evolve, so too will patient expectations for transparency, empathy, and provider consistency.
The Need for Better Telehealth Platforms
Despite widespread enthusiasm for virtual care, not all telehealth systems are created equal. Many platforms were built quickly during the early days of the pandemic and still struggle with glitches, poor connectivity, and a lack of integration with electronic health records. If the industry wants to keep pace with Behavioral Telehealth Preferences, it must invest in stronger digital infrastructure.
JLL’s report stresses this point clearly: “Telehealth is here to stay as a facet of the healthcare industry,” and to keep up with demand, providers must “embrace telehealth and invest in strengthening their platforms’ performance and capabilities.” That means better scheduling tools, streamlined interfaces, improved data security, and more responsive customer service. As Behavioral Telehealth Preferences become more ingrained, the pressure is on to upgrade both tech and user experience.
Preparing for a Hybrid Future
Looking ahead, the future of behavioral health care is likely to be hybrid—combining the best of virtual and in-person services depending on patient needs. Some patients may benefit from occasional face-to-face appointments, especially those with complex conditions. Others may prefer to remain entirely virtual, and their care plans should reflect that flexibility.
The goal is to meet people where they are, both literally and figuratively. By respecting and responding to Behavioral Telehealth Preferences, providers can improve outcomes, reduce missed appointments, and build stronger therapeutic relationships. Behavioral health care has a unique opportunity to lead this transformation and model how virtual-first approaches can be integrated into comprehensive, high-quality care.
