Telehealth Online Therapy Sessions:

These are extra-ordinary times and COVID-19 is changing everything about life and work as we know it. You can be a part of the world's effort to fight Covid-19 by making thoughtful choices when it comes to your health or a loved one's health.


Insurance companies are making strides to open up greater access to mental health services by lifting the barriers to offer telehealth services to their members. Highmark Blue Shield, Blue Cross, and Quest are all providing telehealth as a part of its benefit plan.


Telehealth is simply another way of providing professional mental health services that are delivered through an online platform that is HIPAA compliant. The confidential, HIPAA secure online platform is integrated into our Electronic Health Record system.


Telehealth is a great option for many clients. If you believe this a good option for you, scheduling an online appointment is similar to scheduling an in office appointment.  


To schedule an appointment, Online or in Office, register as a client or log in to your private account. Click on the calendar, choose an appointment time, drop down the "Type" menu choose "Online"  or "In Person" as the Type of session.


Remember, if you have two or more of the following symptoms, then Telehealth Online sessions is an option for you.

1.     Fever

2.     Coughing

3.     Shortness of breath

Preparing for your Online Video Sessions

The Right Environment

PRIVATE

Sessions can cover very sensitive and private topics. Find a private space where no one can hear you.

Tip: Wearing headphones can reduce the potential for others to hear details of your session that would otherwise be projected from speakers.

QUIET

Minimize the potential for environmental noise.  Take the appropriate steps to silence electronics, pets, etc. so you are not disturbed during your online video sessions.

BRIGHT

Select a well lit area to connect to your session. The main light source should be in front of you to keep your face visible.  Keep your background space clear to reduce distraction.

The Right Tech Setup

HARDWARE

You must have a desktop/laptop computer or mobile/tablet device with built-in or external speakers, microphone and webcam.  

SOFTWARE

Ensure you are using the latest version of your selected browser (Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.).  

Confirm your username and password are accurate so you can log into the secure client portal at the appropriate time.

NOTE: Avoid the Microsoft Edge browser until Microsoft has completed phasing out the current version. Any other browser should work fine.

CONNECTION

You must be able to connect to a high speed internet connection (Minimum connection speed: 512Kbps Upstream / 2 Mbps Downstream). Prior to your session, restarting your computer is recommended to shutdown any background processes.  Confirm all other programs are closed so all bandwidth is dedicated to your session connection.  

Connect to your session prior to your session start time to test your internet connection and session settings. Confirm you have given permissions to your browser to access your camera and microphone, and that you can see yourself in the preview window at the bottom left of the open session window.

Attending Your Session

Login to the secure client portal a few minutes prior to your session. If you are connecting from a phone/tablet, enable the "Do Not Disturb" setting to prevent any phone calls, text messages, or notifications from disrupting your upcoming session.

Your session will be displayed on your Home page.  Click any of the details of your upcoming session to open the Session Details page, then click the Start Video Session button.  A new window will open where your session will take place.  

If you have completed the preparatory steps listed in the tech Setup section above, you should be taken directly to the virtual meeting room where you and your counselor will conduct your session.  A display of what your counselor sees will show in the bottom left, while the rest of the screen will fill with your counselor's camera view.

Use the volume dials at the top of the window to adjust sound settings as needed.  When the session is finished, close the window to end the connection.