Video or Phone Counseling Sessions
I have successfully offered video and phone sessions several years. Video or phone sessions are often referred to as Telehealth or Telemedicine by insurance plans, and either term works for me! Phone or video sessions are very similar to in-person sessions, and research has shown that they as effective as face to face meetings. Plus, they can be conducted from anywhere as long as you have a smartphone or a computer with a webcam. I am licensed to provide Video and Phone sessions to individuals who live in Florida, Iowa and Missouri.
Why Chose a Phone or Video Appointment?
Inclement weather does not permit you to drive to the session.
School just closed, and you need to stay home with your children.
You may be feeling sick or at risk of getting ill but still feel up to a session.
I may be feeling ill and need to work from home to prevent spreading germs to you.
You prefer the idea of creating a comfortable and private space in your own home from which to attend therapy.
You may find it easier to talk, focus, and express yourself than in-person.
Enjoy the flexibility of wearing comfortable clothes, bringing a cup of tea, having your pet nearby for the session, and avoiding a commute after a therapy session.
Desire the ease of scheduling a session that works better in your day, such as when the kids are napping, in-between classes, before work, and so on.
How do I Schedule a Video or Phone Session?
If you are interested in learning more? Click on the link for a free 15-minute call to see if it counseling right for you. Video or phone sessions may not be appropriate for every situation. For example, it may not be suitable for a patient who has little to no privacy at home, is living with an abuser, or who struggles with intense suicidal ideations. During our initial call, we will go through some informed consent items, make sure it is a good match for your needs, and go through the emergency protocol procedures.
Tips for a Successful Session
Think of the online session as if we are meeting in-person.
Find a comfortable space with privacy. This could be in your favorite chair, at the office desk, in your garden, a parked car, or just about anywhere! I suggest sitting on something where your back is supported and encourage you to get up and move if you start to feel uncomfortable.
You may wish to put a note on the door of the room, requesting that other people not disturb you except in an emergency.
Consider using headphones or earphones because they help to keep the content of our sessions private, improve sound quality, and also minimize distractions.
Please close other applications and browser windows on your device and put your phone on silent or turn it off just as we do in person.
You are welcome to bring water or a cup of tea or coffee with you to the session. Please avoid alcohol and drugs before and during the session.
Your pet is welcome to join you; however, be aware that this could be distracting.
Give yourself time after the session to process the course before re-joining your family, working, or making other calls.
Technical Instructions
When you book an appointment, you will receive an automatic confirmation email from my scheduling system Simple Practice, followed by a reminder the day before our session. Both of these emails contain the link for you to join the session at the scheduled time. Simple Practice allows us to have a confidential session that cannot be recorded or intercepted. You may like to download the Simple Practice app before our session in preparation.
Bandwidth Requirements
The call quality of Simple Practice is usually excellent. It can be improved by you using an Ethernet connection as opposed to Wi-Fi; however, Wi-Fi or 3G/4G will often work well too. Our first session may involve trying a few of these options. Usually, if your internet is good enough to stream YouTube or Netflix, it is good enough for video conferencing.
I recommend closing all other browser windows and programs running in the background to make the call quality as strong as possible.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Feel free to keep a note of questions for us to discuss when we next meet. I am happy to support you in the transition by answering any questions and making it an easy process.
Contact for a free 15-minute phone/video consultation to learn more about TeleMental Health and determine if it’s right for you!
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