Must-Do’s Before a Telehealth Session
There's something genuinely convenient about meeting with your therapist from your own space, but a little preparation goes a long way toward making sure the session is as productive as an in-person one. I provide telehealth therapy through TherapyNotes, a HIPAA-compliant platform. Here's what to know before your first session.
Preparation - You should receive an email and text notification a couple days before the appointment with a link to the video call. You can also access it through your patient portal.
Privacy - Make sure you are in a quiet, private, and confidential space as this will allow you to not have any disturbances to the process. This could be inside a parked car, bedroom, office, or large closet. Utilizing ear buds/headphones can help with privacy.
Strong connection - Ensure there is minimal disconnection issues by staying close to the router or using an ethernet cable to connect.
Location - Be in the state your therapist is licensed in (Texas). Otherwise, your therapist will have to cancel the appointment and you may be charged full fee.
Notifications - Turn off all notifications including email and text message as it can disrupt and distract you from full engagement.
Closing Programs - Close programs or apps that you are not using to allow more working memory to be used on keeping your computer’s stability.
Device - Charge your laptop, computer, phone and make sure your sound, mic, and camera are working before the session begins.
Comfort - Pick a spot where you can feel comfortable. Cozy blankets, pillows, water/tea/coffee, tissues, and good lighting.
Phone # - Understand that this may cause some disruption to the therapy process. If the call disconnects due to internet connection issues, try logging off/on into the call or waiting it out. Your therapist may reach out via phone call or email to troubleshoot.
In the instances that you prefer in-person services or no longer wish to continue with telehealth, please let me know and I can provide referrals to a mental health professional that can provide those services in your area. In my clinical experience and research, clients report similar therapeutic outcomes using telehealth services compared to in-person therapy.
Is online therapy actually as effective as in-person therapy?
Yes. Research consistently shows telehealth therapy produces outcomes comparable to in-person sessions for most concerns, including anxiety, trauma, and relationship issues. In my own clinical experience, many clients find it easier to open up from a familiar, comfortable space, and it removes the barrier of commute time from an already full schedule.
