Telehealth in California
In addition to serving the community in my Monterey office, I also provide telehealth. I use video conferencing through a platform called TheraLINK, but I don't do therapy by email or text.
Telehealth can be useful if you are
- coping with anxiety and stress
- wanting to learn more coping strategies
- needing help managing and reducing worry
- grieving the loss of a loved one
- trying to change a habit (adding healthy habits or stopping unwanted habits)
- dealing with life transitions
- needing to talk through a particular issue
- feeling stuck and wanting to explore potential solutions
TheraLINK and Confidentiality
Using Skype or FaceTime are NOT confidential methods for us to meet. TheraLINK is a platform that utilizes end to end encryption and ensures the content of your sessions remain between you and me.
Before our scheduled appointment, you will receive a link that will become active at the time of our appointment. You will not need to download anything or add any programs to your computer. You can use it at home or work on a desktop, laptop, or tablet.
Therapy Fees
I charge the same fees for telehealth. You can use Zelle to make a secure payment, or you could send a check if you prefer.
Insurance Reimbursement for Telehealth
In California, insurance companies often reimburse for telehealth (also known as teletherapy sessions). Check with your insurance company to be sure. Insurance usually does not reimburse for phone calls, but they often reimburse for video conferencing.
After paying for sessions directly (usually with Zelle), I will write a receipt (aka superbill), and you can try to get reimbursed by your insurance company. Talk to your insurance company first to fully understand your benefits.
Telehealth in California
I am licensed in California, so I can only provide therapy for people who are living in California.
When Telehealth May Not Be Best
Your safety and wellbeing is of utmost importance. Not everyone is a good fit or comfortable with telehealth. It's important that we discuss your situation and assess if telehealth will work for you. Please contact me to discuss your unique circumstances and together we can figure out what will work best for you.
Getting the Best Video Quality
Before the therapy appointment, quit all of the applications that you are not using on your computer. Also, don't run software updates during the therapy session. In addition, close all web browser tabs and windows that you don't need.
This article is written for therapists, but it will give you ideas about how to get the best video quality during online appointments.