What is tele-therapy or counseling online?
Online counseling is essentially therapy via internet, over a secure HIPAA compliant portal. The one I will be using is called Doxy.me. It is very similar to what you might envision Skpe or Face-Time to be and it’s is very simple to use.
How does it work?
I will email you a link that will invite you into a private room. At the time of your session, you click the link and will wait for me to join in. Once we are both connected, therapy will start from our different locations. You can engage in therapeutic services without having to leave your home. You can use your phone, ipad, laptop or any other electronic device you can log onto your email with.
Is tele-therapy right for you?
Therapy can be a successful process for many people who want to change. Sometimes, time can get into the way of achieving treatment goals. We are very busy people and finding the time to “do something for yourself” can often be difficult. Finding time to come to treatment after work, before taking the kids to practice, or during lunch just be challenging. Therapists often hear, “I would love to come more often to therapy, but I can’t find the time.” This is an alternative that can be used for busy people who need to make the time for themselves but need an easier way.
If you are still unsure, here is a quick 35 second YouTube video helping to explain:
Other useful information and links:
The CAMFT Code of Ethics states the following: 1.4.2 ELECTRONIC THERAPY: When patients are not physically present (e.g., therapy by telephone or Internet) during the provision of therapy, marriage and family therapists take extra precautions to meet their responsibilities to patients. Prior to utilizing electronic therapy, marriage and family therapists consider the appropriateness and suitability of this therapeutic modality to the patient’s needs. When therapy occurs by electronic means, marriage and family therapists inform patients of the potential risks, consequences, and benefits, including but not limited to, issues of confidentiality, clinical limitations, transmission difficulties, and ability to respond to emergencies. Marriage and family therapists ensure that such therapy complies with the informed consent requirements of the California Telemedicine Act.
CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS – Standards of Practice for Telehealth