Benefits of Telehealth
Telehealth visits can be conducted on a computer, tablet or mobile device. One of the benefits of telehealth is the client and clinician can engage in services without being in the same physical location. This can be helpful in ensuring continuity of care if the client or clinician is unable to meet in person. The distancing implications of COVID-19 have trended health care into this treatment option. These visits can be more convenient and can often take less time than in-person visits.
Risks to Confidentiality
Telehealth sessions take place outside of our practice location, as there is potential for other people to overhear sessions. Prior to making a telehealth psychotherapy session, clients should have a securely private location for the session to occur. Our practice will take all reasonable steps to ensure privacy on our end. It is also important for you to protect the privacy of the session. There are many ways that technology issues might impact telehealth. Technology may stop working during a session, loss of wifi signals, other people might be able to gain access to our private conversation, or unauthorized people or companies could access stored data.
Crisis management and intervention
If a client is experiencing an acute crisis, our practice will not engage in telehealth. These clients often require higher levels of support and intervention. Before engaging in telehealth, our practice requires the establishment of an emergency response plan to address potential crisis situations that may arise during the course of telehealth work (i.e. alternative treatment options, being referred to a triaging mental health facility).
Confidentiality
Well & Being for Women has a legal and ethical responsibility to protect all communications that are a part of telehealth. The nature of electronic communications technologies is such that our practice cannot guarantee that all communications will be kept confidential or that other people may not gain access to our communications. Tebra telehealth is HIPPA compliant, equipped with the most modern telehealth using updated encryption methods, firewalls, and back-up systems to help keep your information private.
Appropriateness of Telehealth Psychotherapy
Together, Dr. Petrongelli and client, will discuss and determine if telehealth is appropriate, or no longer the most appropriate form of treatment. Alternative options for engaging in in-person psychotherapy or referrals to another professional in your location who can provide appropriate services will be discussed. ALL INTIAL PSYCHOTHERAPY APPOINTMENTS MUST BE IN-PERSON.
Emergencies and Technology
Assessing and evaluating threats and other emergencies can be more difficult when conducting telehealth than in traditional in-person psychotherapy. To address some of these difficulties, our practice requires that all clients participating in telehealth services has an established and recorded emergency plan. This plan discusses an emergency contact person who is near a clients's location and who we may be contacted in the event of a crisis or emergency to assist in addressing the situation. We will request a client to provide authorization allowing our practice to contact the emergency person as needed during such a crisis or emergency.
Client Responsibility and Payment
A client is required to have a properly functioning mobile device, tablet or computer. A client is solely responsible for any cost to obtain any necessary equipment, and/or accessories, to take part in telehealth. Clients are responsible for securing the privacy of their environment while participating in telehealth services. All clients are required to sign INFORMED CONSENT FOR TELEHEALTH PSYCHOTHERAPY and provide our practice an established and recorded emergency response plan and contact person. Payment for telehealth services will be collected at the time of service by a credit card on file.
