Teletherapy

Before attending a teletherapy session with a therapist or counselor, here are some helpful tips to prepare:

• Make sure you are in a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed or heard. This may be in a bedroom, home office, basement, a large closet, or even in your parked car.
• If you live with others, ask that they don’t disturb you during your session time and that they refrain from using the Wi-Fi so that your connection is not slowed down.
• Consider putting a white noise machine, small fan, or speaker with music playing outside of the door to the room you will be in so that  roommates or family members cannot overhear your conversation.
• Make sure the device you are using (a computer, tablet, or smartphone) has a working camera and microphone and is fully charged.
• Consider using headphones or earbuds plugged into your device to improve sound quality and maintain privacy.

1. In order to use Teletherapy, you will need to have access to the internet, webcam, speakers, and a microphone on a laptop or computer, smartphone or iPad. For computers you will need to download the plugin and for phones you will need to download the app.

Below is the list of compatible devices:

• PC
• Mac
• SurfaceTM PRO 2 running Win 8.1 or Win 10
• iOS devices
• Android devices
• Blackberry® devices

The systems we are using are powered by Zoom and Doxy.me both are HIPPA compliant to maintain your privacy and confidentiality. IE Counseling has been consulting with insurance companies to ensure coverage and to do everything we can to try and protect clients against surprise fees; however, we strongly recommend that you contact your insurance directly to verify that your specific plan has been expanded to cover these services.  

Meeting with a mental health therapist or counselor through virtual methods may feel difficult or uncomfortable at first. Keep these things in mind during your session:

• Speak clearly so that your mental health therapist can understand what you are saying. Check in periodically to make sure that what you are communicating is being understood and that you clearly understand what is being communicated to you.
• Try to make “eye contact” with your camera so that the connection between you and your therapist is stronger.
• If you are self-conscious about your appearance or distracted by seeing yourself on your device’s screen, put a small piece of paper over your image on the screen.
• Treat your telehealth therapy session as if you are meeting with your therapist in person. Avoid engaging in any tasks you wouldn’t do if you and your therapist were meeting in their office, such as folding      laundry, smoking, or cooking.

With the right steps and preparation, telehealth therapy sessions can be enjoyable and productive, even without an in-person meeting. If you are preparing for a teletherapy mental health therapy session, use these tips to maximize its benefits.