Telemental Health: What you need to know
The demand for telemental health has boomed since the COVID-19 Pandemic. It was exciting to learn that seeing a therapist virtually was an option. Now that we know that telemental health is an option, many of us want it! It’s convenient to have therapy wherever you are without having to worry about commuting, arranging childcare, or significantly adjusting your schedule. It’s also nice to be able to have therapy in your own, sacred space at home.
I want you to know that a lot goes into making sure you have the same safe experience virtually as you would in in-person therapy. It’s totally fine for you to check in with your therapist, ask questions, and advocate for yourself to make sure your needs are met, and can feel comfortable receiving telemental health services.
What exactly is telemental health?
Telemental health is ANYTHING that requires an on/off switch to receive services. It could be on a computer, a phone, or a tablet. It could be through videoconferencing services, an app, a website, texting, audio/phone calls, social media, or even fax! Any electronic storage of your records is also considered telemental health.
Informed Consent: It’s more than just a document, it’s a conversation
I’ll preface this by saying that your therapist should be going over this with you without your bringing it up in the form of an informed consent at the beginning of receiving services. If they don’t, or if something they are saying is unclear, say something! Your sessions, virtually and in-person, are about you! If you have questions or needs that need to be addressed, say something!
Informed consent is more than a document. It is a discussion. You and your therapist need to make sure everything is understood, and that involves talking about it. That’s not just a personal opinion, that’s a fact! Therapists all follow ethical codes and keeping you safe is a big part of that! The ethical codes your therapist abides by are there to protect you. Feel free to ask your therapist what ethical code(s) they follow if you’re curious what they are.
Many things need to be addressed in a telemental health inform consent. They include but aren’t limited to:
· Coming up with a comfortable plan for if the technology fails.
· Address what technology devices and services you’re comfortable using to communicate, and what can be shared in these mediums.
· Disclosing your location when you are in session. Therapists need to make sure you are in a safe space. They also need to make sure you are in a state where they are licensed to provide services. That’s right- just because you are seeing a therapist virtually, doesn’t mean you can see them anywhere in the world. If you are traveling to somewhere where your therapist isn’t licensed to provide services, let them know so together you can develop a plan in case you are in crisis.
· How to verify your identity. This is to prevent people from impersonating you, receiving services, or asking for private information they cannot have. You both may need to come up with a password or secret code to ensure that you are, in fact, you.
If you’re feeling uncertain about telemental health, know that if your counselor is offering telemental health services, that means that ethically and legally they need to receive proper training for telemental health services. Feel free to ask your therapist what training they have in telemental health if it will make you more comfortable!
Remember: it’s all about you!