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Telehealth Counseling

Telehealth CounselingVideo Counseling

 

Mental health services are still essential, even if you are self-quarantined or unable to come into the office.

That’s why all of our counselors are equipped to provide distance counseling services.

After booking your appointment, you’ll simply download the “Telehealth by Simple Practice” app from the App Store to your smart phone or tablet. Distance counseling is also accessible on your desktop or laptop computer, as long as you have a webcam. 10 minutes before your appointment, you’ll receive an email with a secure link to join the telehealth call. The counselor then connects to the video therapy session at the time of the scheduled appointment and you’re ready to go! It will feel similar to using an app like Skype or Facetime, but on a HIPAA secure platform.

Don’t worry! We’ll help troubleshoot any technical issues!

Person-Centered Tech developed these guidelines to help you prepare for your Online Therapy appointment (used with permission):

 

Online Therapy Pre-Intake Preparation for Clients

 

Creating Confidential Space

Things to consider:

  • Is the space private?
  • Can you lock the door?
    • If not, will others who have access to the space respect your request for privacy and not enter the room?
      • Can you/have you had a conversation with them?
      • Were they receptive?
  • Can others outside the room hear you talking?
    • If so, can you create white noise with a fan or other form of background noise? (Preferably placed outside the doorway of the room you’re in)
    • Consider using headphones or earbuds so that your provider’s voice is kept private and is only hearable by you

If you have a hard time finding confidential space, here are some examples that others have used. These are not ideal, but should be considered secondary choices if an ideal setup is not available. If you use any of these, please make sure that the space is comfortable to you. Being comfortable is also highly important.

  • Laundry Room
  • Walk-In-Closet
  • Basement
  • Attic
  • Actual last resort: your car parked in a safe, private spot. (We want to emphasize that private does not mean secluded. Please do make sure you are in a safe location.)

 

Technical Setup:

  • A laptop or desktop computer are ideal — preferably the biggest screen size that you have available to you (that you can also have in a comfortable, confidential space)
  • If you’re using a tablet or phone, please prop up the device so that it is stable and that the camera is about level with your eyes
  • Whatever device you’re using, please make sure that the camera is about level with your eyes. It may require propping up your device or monitor on other items, such as books.
  • Please make sure that you’re well lit and don’t have a bright light source directly behind you

 

Clear Your Internet

Be sure to move your computer as close as you can to your WiFi router (the box that makes the WiFi.) Or better yet — plug your computer into the router with a cable!

After that, you’ll want to close out of any programs you don’t need which use your Internet connection. This video will show you some examples of doing that (and this article will explain it.)

 

 

Star Meadow Counseling

Provides Therapy Services to:

 Hudson WI | River Falls WI | New Richmond WI | Somerset WI | Ellsworth WI