What is Telehealth

What is telehealth? 

Telehealth is a convenient and safe way to visit with your psychotherapist or counselor. You can talk to your provider from any place, including your home using your telephone, laptop, tablet or desktop computer. You don’t go their office. In some instances, more than one person, using their own devices, may be able to participate in sessions. Many people have experience with ZOOM™ for Facetime™ and telehealth is very much the same, except that it is more private and designed specifically for counseling and psychotherapy. For people unequipped for telehealth, sessions can be conducted by telephone. 

How do I use telehealth? 

You talk to your provider by phone, computer, tablet or another device and your therapist, in turn talks to you. 

Sometimes, you use video so you and your provider can see each other. 

How does telehealth help me? 

You don’t have to go to our office to see your provider and you won’t risk getting sick from other people. 

Scheduling may be more convenient for you and appointments can more easily fit into your busy schedule because you avoid traffic and save the travel time of coming to the office. 

Can telehealth be bad for me? 

Telehealth has been shown to be as effective as in-person therapy for the most common issues and problems, but since you and your provider won’t be in the same room, it may feel different than an office visit. 

Your provider may not be able to assess you as accurately as in an office visit and may depend more on your self-assessment.

Technical problems may interrupt or stop your visit before you are done. 

Will my telehealth visit be private? 

We not not record visits with your therapist, however, your therapist will make notes to document all contacts just as if you were seen in their office. All privacy rules mandated by HIPPA still apply 

If people are close by, they may hear something you did not want them to hear. It is up to you to assure that you are in a private place, so other people cannot hear you. 

Your provider will tell you if someone else from their office can hear or see you. We use telehealth technology that is designed to protect your privacy. 

If you use the Internet for telehealth, use a network that is private and secure. There is a very small chance that someone could use technology to hear or see your telehealth visit. 

What if I want an office visit, not a telehealth visit? 

For now, all of our visits are remote by telehealth. You cannot schedule an office visit now. You must wait until the office opens for all other appointments. We do not know when that will be. 

What if I try telehealth and don’t like it? 

We urge you to give telehealth a fair trial. Beginning therapy requires an initial adjustment to your therapist and the therapeutic process. It is always the client’s right to terminate therapy at any time and request a referral to another therapist. 

We will inform you when our offices will reopen as soon as possible, and perhaps you and your therapist can decide whether taking a break from therapy until then is prudent. 

How much does a telehealth visit cost? 

What you pay depends on your insurance. You should check with your insurance plan or your employer’s Employee Assistance Plan as to coverage for telehealth services. 

A telehealth visit costs the same as an office visit. Your responsibility for paying deductibles or copayments will remain the same and is determined by your insurance plan.

What must I do to allow you to begin telehealth services?

You must sign a statement that says you have read this page and that you consent to telehealth services along with a few other documents. For virtual sessions with audio and video, you will receive an invitation to your initial meeting by email with a link that will take you to a virtual waiting room at the scheduled time.