Telehealth Therapy

TELEHEALTH SERVICES

Also referred to as Telemedicine, Tele-Mental Health, E-Health, Online Counseling and E-Counseling. The definition for telehealth is the use of electronic communication and information technologies to provide or support clinical care at a distance (using the telephone, text, e-mail, or interactive tele-video-conferencing technologies). To use telehealth, you need an internet connection and a device with a camera for video. Your Provider can explain how to log in and use any features on the telehealth platform. If telehealth is not a good fit for you, your Provider will recommend a different option. There are some risks and benefits to using telehealth:

• Risks

• Privacy and Confidentiality. You may be asked to share personal information with the telehealth platform to create an account, such as your name, date of birth, location, and contact information. Your Provider carefully vets any telehealth platform to ensure your information is secured to the appropriate standards.

• Technology. At times, you could have problems with your internet, video, or sound. If you have issues during a session, your Provider will follow the backup plan that you agree to prior to sessions.

• Crisis Management. It may be difficult for your Provider to provide immediate support during an emergency or crisis. You and your Provider will develop a plan for emergencies or crises, such as choosing a local emergency contact, creating a communication plan, and making a list of local support, emergency, and crisis services.

• Benefits

• Flexibility. You can attend therapy wherever is convenient for you.

• Ease of Access. You can attend telehealth sessions without worrying about traveling, meaning you can schedule less time per session and can attend therapy during inclement weather or illness.

• Recommendations

• Make sure that other people cannot hear your conversation or see your screen during sessions.

• Do not use video or audio to record your session unless you ask your Provider for their permission in advance.

• Make sure to let your Provider know if you are not in your usual location before starting any telehealth session.

Appropriateness of Fit for Online Counseling

If at any time while we are engaging in teletherapy, I determine, in my sole discretion, that teletherapy is no longer the most appropriate form of treatment for you, we will discuss options of engaging in face-to-face in-person counseling or possible referrals to another professional in your location who can provide more fitting services.

CONSENT TO USE THE TELEHEALTH BY THERAPYNOTES SERVICE

Telehealth by TherapyNotes is the technology service we will use to conduct telehealth videoconferencing appointments. It is simple to use and there are no passwords required to log in. By signing this document, I acknowledge:

1. Telehealth by TherapyNotes is NOT an Emergency Service and in the event of an emergency, I will use a phone to call 911.

2. Though my provider and I may be in direct, virtual contact through the Telehealth Service, neither TherapyNotes nor the Telehealth Service provides any medical or healthcare services or advice including, but not limited to, emergency or urgent medical services.

3. The Telehealth by TherapyNotes Service facilitates videoconferencing and is not responsible for the delivery of any healthcare, medical advice or care.

4. I do not assume that my provider has access to any or all of the technical information in the Telehealth by TherapyNotes Service – or that such information is current, accurate or up-to-date. I will not rely on my health care provider to have any of this information in the Telehealth by TherapyNotes Service.

5. To maintain confidentiality, I will not share my telehealth appointment link with anyone unauthorized to attend the appointment.

I certify:

• That I have read or had this form read and/or had this form explained to me.

• That I fully understand its contents including the risks and benefits of the procedure(s).

• That I have been given ample opportunity to ask questions and that any questions have been answered to my satisfaction.

Best practices for video conferencing telecommunication:

• Make sure you are in a private, quiet location where you can remain seated or in one space for the entire session

• Check your audio and video connection before the session

• Run internet speed tests and make sure the clients and counselors upload and download speeds are 10 MPS or higher

• Counselor and/or client can connect to internet using Ethernet opposed to WIFI

• Use microphone enabled headphones for added sound privacy

• Use the latest version of Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox or Safari browser

• Shut down all over background applications on your devise to ensure best connection

Troubleshooting for video conferencing telecommunication:

• Counselor and client both log out, turn off, restart devices and log back in to see if that fixes the issue.

• If the Theraoy Notes platform crashes, counselor will email you another link for doxy.me (another HIPAA compliant video streaming platform). Simply click on the link and ensure that your camera and microphone are turned on.

• If internet connection has been lost, counselor will call you at provided phone number and continue the session via telephone.

• If all troubleshooting efforts are exhausted and session has to end early, session rate will be prorated based on the number of minutes completed.

TherapyNotes Telehealth Help Center: https://support.therapynotes.com/category/266-telehealth