Teletherapy
I offer HIPAA compliant video conferencing for established clients. If you have ever used Skype or FaceTime, you have already used the same type of technology that teletherapy uses. Potential benefits include reduction of lost work time and travel costs, and improved access to therapy. There are, of course, potential risks as well, especially as it pertains to the less personal nature of video conference sessions. Together we will discuss relevant risks and determine if video conference sessions are appropriate for you.
Most of my established clients have benefited from occasional use of teletherapy in the following situations:
Working away or traveling for a temporary period of time.
Minor illnesses.
Last minute child-care cancellations or changes.
Inability for both parents to schedule off of work or coordinate schedules (one parent attends in person, and the other is video conferenced in).
Weather related road closures.
Isn’t video conferencing weird?
Not as much as you would think. Part of my Telehealth training and certification focused on elements that make video conference sessions more comfortable, more personable, and more engaging. Some things that you can do to make it more comfortable on your end include:
Put a yellow sticky over the square where your face appears to avoid how distracting this can be.
Find a way to prop the computer or phone up against or on top of something, so you don’t have to hold it for an hour.
Make sure you can ensure privacy on your end. It is ideal to have your individual sessions in complete privacy, where no one else will enter the room. If you are concerned that others who are also home may overhear, think about the possibility of a white noise machine placed in the space just outside of your door.
Remove distractions in your environment.
How do I attend a Teletherapy session?
Attending your sessions are easy from most devices and computers. Simply click the link you receive in your e-mail to start your session at the time of your appointment and you will be able to view me in my office, and our sessions will be conducted as usual. Some mobile devices will prompt you to install a free app prior to starting your session. Simple Practice Telehealth seems to work best using the Google Chrome browser.