What is Telehealth?
Sometimes it’s hard to get away from your desk for a couple hours for an appointment. You could be recovering from surgery and the thought of getting ready to go out feels impossible. Maybe you live in a different part of the state of Michigan or the US and are finding that you and I would be a good fit. Telehealth is the best option for you.
I’ve been using Telehealth with clients successfully for a number of years. In June 2020, I completed a 12 hour training on best practices in Teletherapy to better serve my clients to protect you and your health information. With the lasting effects of COVID-19, I am finding that Telehealth, more than ever, will become a more normalized form of treatment in the health industry.
Telehealth defined by HealthIT.gov: “the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration.”
How It Works
Let’s get started.
On our first phone call, you and I will set an agreed upon time to meet on a consistent basis for your mental health treatment. Once the schedule is set, I’ll send you the paperwork via Theranest, a trusted Electronic Medical Record site that integrates electronic paperwork, payment, and scheduling. Right on the minute of our appointment (for which you can receive text and/or email reminders), you click your unique link, activate your microphone and video, and the work begins.
This makes everything simpler for you.
Check out the Individual Counseling page for more info on issues addressed and interventions. You’ll receive the same level of care and attention despite a physical distance.
Limits and Solutions
With all things, there can be limits. First, in person meetings for mental health treatment are always preferred, but life as we know it is changing.
Here are some limits and challenges with Telehealth:
- Device, internet, and/or network failure or interruption
- No guarantee of total confidentiality due to your location or internet security
- A higher level of care may be required due to suicidal and/or homicidal thoughts/actions
Some measures I take to ensure the highest level of care and confidentiality:
- If platform for Telehealth fails, we will set another agreed upon encrypted method of continuing the session
- Use of encrypted sites and communication as well as transmitting from a private, locked room
- Provision of additional or more appropriate referrals for your care
Your care and confidentiality are of my utmost concern – let’s spend time discussing your questions and concerns.