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We are living in an era of digitalization and finding new ways to connect each day digitally. Especially with the ongoing pandemic, COVID -19, technological advancements have made it so easy to interact with anybody sitting in any corner of the world. Similarly, one of the best ways to provide medical services and therapy is to make the most use of online platforms and help people access the support they require.
Whether an individual is feeling anxious because of all the panic created around the globe, or seeking medical help to stay calm, therapy is just a click away. With the right guidance, patients feel less distracted and can overcome any fear or stress.
Now that almost everyone is quarantined and going through quite difficult times, teletherapy is one of the effective ways that can be beneficial.
What is Teletherapy?
Teletherapy is the online delivery of speech, occupational, and mental health therapy services through high-resolution and lives video conferencing.
Since the 1990s, teletherapy has been rapidly growing among therapists and has become a trending topic in the medical industry. Also, this therapy is being opted by many people for various reasons like flexibility with appointments, comfortable conversation while sitting at home, the flexibility of scheduling, plus more.
Virtual teletherapy is beneficial as it helps people overcome stress/anxiety, deal with negative past issues, high school stress, divorce, or separation trauma, and help them to remain calm and have a better focus. Nowadays, when people have limited access to healthcare services and are not able to schedule in-person appointments with their therapists, teletherapy is an effective solution for helping people tackle all the panic created because of COVID-19.
How To Provide Teletherapy
The Process Of Doing Online Therapy Sessions
Mental health service providers are always looking for the best ways to provide their patients with the most optimum solutions and great psychological care. Where online therapy is concerned, you cannot just schedule an appointment with your client and begin the session via any platform for video conferencing like Facetime or Skype.
Here are the requisites to provide effective Teletherapy
RIGHT
EQUIPMENT
One of the most critical parts of an online session is to have the right equipment, so you feel comfortable and connected. The key to ensuring you’re using the correct equipment.
whether a desktop computer or smartphone or laptop or tablet should have high-quality video resolution and proper sound.
RIGHT ENVIRONMENT
A pleasant environment is vital for a focused and comfortable session. If you’re taking therapy sessions from home, make sure the backgrounds are clean and clear, and you are handling everything with care. Moreover, choose a room that has proper lighting and is free from noise distractions.
Software
The therapy needs to be private, and the software used must be approved by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
How To Provide Teletherapy
Also, make sure the internet connection is perfect and doesn’t create any disturbance or pausing. Generally, the internet speed should be at least 5 Mbps upload and 15 Mbps downloads. Video streaming can happen with a slower connection too, but these are the best speeds for a better experience. If you aren’t aware of your internet speed, you can quickly check online at a speed test website.
ZOOM
A fantastic video conferencing software for telehealth, Zoom offers an excellent experience in terms of high-quality videos, with a smooth workflow, and keeps you connected. It ensures complete security and is also HIPAA compliant. The plans for this software begin at $200/month. Zoom
DOXY.ME
Doxy.me is one of the most popular and widely used platforms for teletherapy. It is known for its amazing features and has a simple procedure. No downloads needed for patients, Therapists book their sessions, Send a full encrypted link to the client’s email, And once the patient clicks on the link, the meeting can start. Doxy.me is easy to use and a HIPAA compliant platform. Doxy.me
GOOGLE HANGOUTS
Google Hangouts is another user-friendly platform that allows conducting active therapy sessions. All you need is a Google account. Patients can be provided with quick and efficient services, and it also meets the strict requirements like that of HIPAA. To begin a video meeting: Sign up and create a G Suite account. Sign in to the account. Add guests by clicking on the guest tab and enter the email addresses. Click Save and accept the invites. The meeting is scheduled. Google Hangouts
F.A.Q.S
Commonly asked questions by patients who try to join Teletherapy are.
The equipment required for a teletherapy session would be a computer or a mobile device and should have an integrated camera and microphone. Also, to stream seamless video, a decent internet connection is required.
Each software can have a different signup process. For instance, for a Hangout meet, all you need to do is sign up for a G Suite account and then follow the procedure to schedule an appointment and have a session with your therapist.
Teletherapy is just like other traditional therapies, and all you have to do is not visit a doctor in-person this time, and do a video conference sitting at home.
Commonly asked questions by therapists who set up teletherapy sessions.
To ensure an efficient teletherapy session, the software or online platform should be HIPAA compliant and have privacy features, so all the information of patients is secure.