WHAT IS TELEHEALTH?

Q. How does telehealth work?

A. At Existence Services, we use an all-inclusive, online telehealth platform called Simple Practice. Once you become a client, a secure link will be sent to your email and you can sign all necessary paperwork and documents through your Simple Practice Client Portal. You will be able to see upcoming appointments, message your counselor, and much more through this portal. When an appointment is scheduled through Simple Practice, you will be sent reminders via email or text if you prefer, and you can easily access your live, video appointment with one click of a button. It's as simple as that!

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Q. Is telehealth confidential? 

A. Yes! As mentioned, Simple Practice is a HIPAA compliant software, and you can rest assured knowing that all of your appointments and client information are completely confidential an secure. That being said, it is important for clients to have a plan for where they will participate in their appointments that ensures privacy. Your counselor will discuss this with you during your intake to make sure there is a good plan in place. 

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Q. Do I have to have special equipment to do telehealth?

Not really. As long as you have a good internet connection and a device that has a camera and microphone such as a computer, tablet or cell phone, you should be good to go. 

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Q. Will my insurance cover telehealth counseling?

A. Most likely. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth has become a widely accepted practice, and most insurances cover telehealth services just as they would face to face services. We encourage all of our clients to check with their insurance provider to find out more about telehealth coverage. 

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Q. Is telehealth as good as traditional in-person counseling? 

A. Yes. A growing body of research has shown that telehealth is just as effective as in-person counseling services, and many people have found that the flexibility and convenience of telehealth has made their counseling experience more successful. 

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Q. What are the benefits of telehealth counseling? 

As we just mentioned, many people find that having the flexibility to participate in counseling from a location that is convenient for them such as home, school, the office, or even in the car is a huge benefit of telehealth. Additionally, not having to take the time to drive across town only to spend time in a waiting room full of other people is something that many telehealth clients enjoy. Another benefit of telehealth is increased access to providers. Telehealth can be a great solution for individuals living in a rural community, or for those who would like the anonymity of seeing a counselor who does not necessarily live in their same community. 

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Q. Are there any cons to telehealth counseling? 

Yes, we would be remiss if we didn't mention some of the cons of telehealth. While we strongly believe in the benefits of telehealth counseling, we know it is not for everyone. The most obvious con of telehealth is the potential for glitches in technology. While the Simple Practice software we use at Existence Services minimizes the opportunity for these glitches, they can still happen from time to time. Additionally, some clients find that they are more easily distracted when they are participating in telehealth vs face-to-face counseling. This is part of the reason we emphasize the importance of having a private place to participate in appointments, and encourage clients to take measures to minimize any distractions. Lastly, by nature of being on video vs. in person, a counselor may miss subtle cues or physical issues that are more easy to detect in traditional counseling (i.e. a client who has cut themselves, changes in appearance or hygiene, a client who is fidgeting etc). We encourage anyone seeking out services to consider the benefits as well as potential downsides to telehealth services. 

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If you would like to find out more, or to see if telehealth is right for you, please contact us to set up a free 15 minute consultation. If it turns out telehealth isn't your cup of tea, we are happy to help you find an in-person provider who can meet your needs.