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Telehealth at Health Allies

Health Allies Counseling offers
secure online therapy across Oregon, providing flexible, evidence-based mental health care wherever you are.

How do i book a telehealth session?

​

  1. Email us at hello@healthalliescounseling.com to
    request your session be conducted via telehealth

  2. Complete a new informed consent. We will email you the link.

  3. Telehealth is done inside our electronic health system. No need to download any software.

  4. We will email you a link for your appointment. 

  5. **Please test your link at least one hour before your session
    to make sure your link works well.

  6. If you need any assistance, reach out to the front desk at hello@healthalliescounseling.com or call 971 270 0167

  7. For phone appointments, your therapist will call you at the
    appointed time.

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Creating confidential space

Things to consider:

  •  Is the space private?

  • Can you lock the door?

    • If not, will others who have access to the space respect your request
      for privacy and not enter the room?

      • Can you/have you had a conversation with them?

      • Were they receptive?

  • Can others outside the room hear you talking?

    • If so, can you create white noise with a fan or other form of background noise? (Preferably placed outside the doorway of the room you’re in)

    • Consider using headphones or earbuds so that your provider’s voice is kept private and is only hearable by you
       

If you have a hard time finding confidential space, here are some examples that others have used. These are not ideal, but should be considered secondary choices if an ideal setup is not available. If you use any of these, please make sure that the space is comfortable to you. Being comfortable is also highly important.
 

  • Laundry Room

  • Walk-In-Closet

  • Basement

  • Attic

  • Actual last resort: your car parked in a safe, private spot. (We want to emphasize that private does not mean secluded. Please do make sure you are in a safe location.)

Technical setup

  • A laptop or desktop computer are ideal — preferably the biggest screen size that you have available to you (that you can also have in a comfortable, confidential space)

  • If you’re using a tablet or phone, please prop up the device so that it is stable and that the camera is about level with your eyes

  • Phones tend to have issues with lagging and freezing; you may need to turn off video to continue the session

  • Whatever device you’re using, please make sure that the camera is about level with your eyes. It may require propping up your device or monitor on other items, such as books.

  • Please make sure that you’re well lit and don’t have a bright light source directly behind you

Important reading for telehealth sessions

  1. There are potential benefits and risks of video-conferencing (e.g. limits to patient confidentiality) that differ from in-person sessions.
     

  2.  Confidentiality still applies for telehealth services, and nobody will record the session without the permission from the others person(s).
     

  3. We agree to use the video-conferencing platform selected for our virtual sessions, and the therapist will explain how to use it.
     

  4. You need to use a webcam or smartphone during the session.
     

  5.  It is important to be in a quiet, private space that is free of distractions (including cell phone or other devices) during the session.
     

  6. It is important to use a secure internet connection rather than public/free Wi-Fi.
     

  7. It is important to be on time. If you need to cancel or change your tele-appointment, you must notify the therapist in advance by phone or email.
     

  8. We need a back-up plan (e.g., phone number where you can be reached) to restart the session or to reschedule it,
    in the  event of technical problems.
     

  9. We need a safety plan that includes at least one emergency contact and the closest ER to your location,in the event of a crisis situation.
     

  10. If you are not an adult, we need the permission of your parent or legal guardian (and their contact information) for you to participate in teletherapy sessions.
     

  11. You should confirm with your insurance company that the video sessions will be reimbursed; if they are not reimbursed, you are responsible for full payment. (Note: insurance companies are overwhelmingly supportive of telehealth during this time of the COVID outbreak)
     

  12. Your therapist may determine that due to certain circumstances, telehealth is no longer appropriate and that you should resume our sessions in-person.

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