Online Therapy tips
Online therapy (also called “telemental health” or “teletherapy”) became a hit with clients during the pandemic. It is:
· Confidential
· Secure
· Convenient
· Effective
It is rapidly becoming the most common form of therapy, as both clients and insurance companies have seen the benefits. Many insurance providers now offer reimbursement for online mental health services as research has determined it is as effective, and sometimes more effective, than traditional in-person therapy. It also allows many more people to access therapy and is environmentally friendly. I use a secure, specially encrypted software for health care providers.
Here are some tips for having a great virtual session:
When you schedule, I will send you a link for the call, as well as a link to complete several forms online prior to our first appointment.
Arrive 15 minutes early to your first session to allow time to be comfortable with the connection process.
Be sure your device is fully charged or that you have access to an outlet or charging device.
There are occasional glitches and we will do our best to anticipate these. If you are able to connect but something is not working quite right, I will briefly try to help you troubleshoot. Unfortunately, I am not an expert so I may not be able to solve the problem. If we are unable to connect or get disconnected, I WILL CALL YOU on the cell phone number I have on file.
Please choose an area in your home or office that is isolated and has good soundproofing. An inexpensive sound machine can be useful as a sound barrier. Please ensure that children, pets and housemates are cared for so that they do not interrupt you during the session. I generally do not recommend doing your sessions outside as there maybe unwelcome distractions and background noise. While some clients have had success with online therapy in a parked car, do not attempt to do therapy while you are driving as you will be distracted from both the therapy and your driving!