Introduction
Teletherapy is the delivery of psychotherapy services using interactive audio and visual electronic systems, when you (the patient) and the behavioral services provider are not in the same physical location. You (the patient) must still be located in the state in which the provider is licensed.
Privacy/Confidentiality
1. We have carefully selected a video-conferencing platform, called doxy.me, which incorporates state-of-the-art security protocols, such as encryption, to protect the confidentiality of your audio and visual data (e.g.: video-stream, contact info 2. You can find more information about Zoom at doxy.me. 3. Doxy.me meets the legal (HIPAA) requirements for confidentiality. We also follow all other necessary record-keeping protocols, as usual, to meet HIPAA requirements.
Benefits of Teletherapy
1. Teletherapy improves access to care: a. It can enable you to be seen by a provider at your usual healthcare office when the provider is at a different location b. It can enable you to be seen by a provider when you are not able to leave your home due to medical illness, mobility issues, or other unavoidable circumstance. However, you must still be physically present in the state which services are typically rendered. 2. Teletherapy allows for more timely and/or efficient evaluation and treatment. 3. Teletherapy facilitates obtaining the expertise of a distant specialist.
Possible Risks
As with any procedure, there are potential risks associated with the use of teletherapy. These risks include, but may not be limited to: a. In rare cases, information transmitted may not be sufficient (e.g. poor resolution of images) to allow for appropriate treatment by the provider. b. Delays in evaluation and treatment could occur due to deficiencies or failures of the equipment. c. In very rare instances, security protocols could fail, causing a breach of privacy of personal health information. d. Misunderstandings can happen even when meeting in person. But the more limited the information (e.g.: as when not meeting in person) the higher the likelihood of misunderstanding or missing some cues.
Necessary Equipment
1. You would need a device through which to conduct teletherapy – which includes a screen, microphone, video-camera, and speaker. a. This can be done by PC, Mac, iOS, or Android; on a computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone. b. You may utilize a device for a screen and have audio through an audio line synchronously. 2. Larger stationary screens and high-definition cameras are recommended. 3. Access to your personal email address and/or cell phone number which was provided to the office. You will typically receive the appropriate links and access instructions for teletherapy via text message.