Telehealth Services
Telehealth services are mental health services provided by phone or video, rather than face to face in the same room.
Therapy in this case is considered to occur wherever you, the client happens to be. And since I am only licensed in the state of California, I can only offer telehealth services to those in California at the time of the service.
As with traditional psychotherapy, telehealth has both benefits and risks. Because of the technology involved in telehealth, there are more risks to confidentiality than simply sitting in a traditional therapy office. I have adopted the HIPAA compliant version of Zoom as my primary platform for providing telehealth services, however, I also have alternative options for HIPAA compliant platforms if we are unable to make Zoom work for some reason. We cannot use FaceTime or other unsecure means of communication for therapy.
Potential Risks of Telehealth
When using technology, there is always the risk of delays in mental health services due to technological equipment failure, a lack of access to all relevant information, or a security breach. .
An important part of therapy is sitting face to face with an individual, where non-verbal communication is readily available to both therapist and client. Without this information, telehealth progress or effectiveness could be reduced. This will be important for both of us be mindful and to communicate any such concerns.
Potential Benefits of Telehealth
Telehealth provides a way for us to remain connected and continue the work together, even when we cannot meet face to face. Continuing to do the work in these circumstances is more beneficial than taking a break from therapy.
Privacy Aspects to Consider
Please choose a private location to place your telehealth call, I will decline to meet with you if there are others present.