Tele Behavioral Counseling Protocols

Tele behavioral counseling is also referred to as online therapy. To ensure a safe, comfortable and positive experience, the following protocols are requested:

• Please ensure no one else is in the room or within earshot. Only previously agreed upon participants will be allowed to participate
• Online counseling is effective only when you are distraction free. Doors should be locked, cell phones on silent, outside noise eliminated, additional screens (unless otherwise agreed upon) on your computer should be closed, and all measures should be taken to ensure you are interruption free. Include a sign on your door/room to ensure privacy (if you are not locking doors).
• For cell phone/tablet/laptop users, sessions will only be conducted in secure and private settings.
• Prior to the session being conducted, you will be asked to use your camera to scan the room that you are in. Your therapist will do the same. This maintains confidentiality and security are maintained from both ends.
• Insurance reimbursement for tele behavioral sessions vary from one insurance company to another. It is your responsibility to verify coverage prior to our session. If prior coverage is not verified or self-pay arrangements agreed upon before the first session, you will be responsible for our usual and customary fees. Our billing office can assist you if advance notice is given.

The following browser guidelines are recommended:

Google Chrome (Recommended)

Firefox (Recommended)

Opera (Recommended)

Google Chrome for Android

Firefox for Android

Internet Explorer 11, at this time, is not recommended.

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Online counseling provides many benefits, including convenience and easy access. It also presents some differences that are not seen in a physical setting where counseling is traditionally offered. Therefore, for your safety and to ensure a positive experience with your online counseling, we are asking for you to fill out some additional paperwork. We have included a screening form to help us better understand the concerns that bring you into counseling.  We request forms be filled out prior to the session and either emailed or faxed back to us. We can also file share at the time of the session if you save completed forms on a pdf file.

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Please note, the following terms are interchangeable: 

Telemental health

Tele behavioral health

Online counseling

Etherapy

Click here for forms

Instructions: It is important that your browser is updated. Make sure in your settings javascript and cookies turned on. Once that is done, make sure you close all other video conferencing programs, such as Skype and Webex. To initially start up, your therapist will have to send a link to you inviting you to a platform called Vsee. You will be required to download the software. Once the download is complete, you will be registered as a contact. At the scheduled time, your therapist will call you from Vsee platform. At that time, accept the telephone call and your session will begin. It is suggested you set this up at least 5 minutes prior to the session(once an invitation is sent and accepted you can test your system out any time prior to the session) to ensure there are not any problems.

Further help can be obtained at: click here