Telecounseling

This is what telecounseling looks like on doxy.me.

I prefer you to have headphones/ear buds. It helps with the sound quality and to maintain privacy during the session.

Use this address to join my virtual waiting room. If you're having trouble getting on, try a different internet browser.

Doing Telecounseling For Your Session

Ask your insurance (call the # on the back of your card) to confirm that they cover telecounseling (or it can be called teletherapy or telehealth) done on a HIPAA-compliant platform. Some insurances only cover telecounseling on their own platform.

You have to give your phone/tablet/computer permission to use your microphone and camera. You don’t need any passwords or logins. Then you put in a name that will appear in my virtual waiting room and I’ll come get you when it’s your appointment time.

I’m happy to do a quick trial run prior to your appointment so you feel comfortable with the process.

People find it helpful to sit in a quiet place, away from others and away from potentially noisy & distracting situations/people/pets. Give yourself a few minutes to find the perfect place prior to your appointment so that you feel comfortable and relaxed. Practice logging in and get familiar with the process. Sometimes Safari browser doesn’t work. If you’re having trouble, try a different browser. Please let me know if you have problems with this process or any questions/concerns, ideally before your appointment. Thanks for your flexibility and willingness to do telecounseling.

Please be assured, however, I have been doing telecounseling with folks since I started my practice. I have both training and comfort with this process and confidence that it can be a great way to have a session.

I’m here for you. Even when I’m not with you.

Here’s some info from an article about Telecounseling:

Use a distraction-free environment.

It is equally important for both therapist and patient to stay in a quiet room with little outside stimulus during a teletherapy session. This will not only help each party to stay focused on the therapy, but lack of distractions will also help the technology perform at its best. Motion or excess movement behind you, chairs dragging on the floor, objects falling off the table, and more can all pose as distractions which make the person on the computer much harder to hear. This type of noise and movement also makes the flow of therapy more difficult to follow.

Keep a pen and pad nearby

Just because your therapy session is taking place using some top-notch technology, this doesn’t mean you need to scrap all the original ways of note-taking. It helps to keep a pen and some paper handy so you can jot down recommendations you may need to remember for later, your next appointment time, answers to questions you ask, and more. Most computer platforms which provide teletherapy services allow for computer space and programs to complete activities on. However, your therapist may ask you to grab a piece of paper for certain activities (especially for school-based therapies) so it helps to have them readily available.

Have a good pair of headphones

Most telecounseling sessions require patients to use headphones in order to cut down on distracting background noise. This helps both parties to hear each other better, which makes the environment more comfortable for patients to participate and disclose whatever is necessary in the process. Wired headphones with a microphone will provide the best sound while also eliminating the possibility of headphones running out of battery during a session. It is helpful to keep all technology in working order to lower the risk of equipment malfunctioning.

(https://www.verywellhealth.com/teletherapy-4691183)