Online/ Video Psychotherapy and Hypnosis
To serve clients who live outside the San Francisco Bay Area, I offer online audio-video psychotherapy (aka teletherapy/ telemedicine), as well as medical hypnosis for nicotine addiction, IBS, Crohn's, and Ulcerative Colitis. Teletherapy is also helpful for people who are practicing social distancing or self-quarantine during this Coronovirus pandemic.
FAQs about teletherapy:
What online platform do you use?
I use Zoom. As a backup, I use Doxy.me if needed.
Can we meet on FaceTime?
Yes, BUT be aware that some insurance plans may not cover teletherapy via FaceTime because it is not HIPPA-compliant.
How does teletherapy work?
First, I ask that you contact me to schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation. If we decide to move forward with working together, I will ask you to complete and return some paperwork prior to our first scheduled session.
For your sessions, you will need a quiet, confidential space (please do not drive during your appointment). Using your phone, tablet, or computer, you will connect with me on Zoom. As an alternative, we can also meet on another HIPPA-compliant video platform, Doxy.me.
If you are seeing me for hypnosis, we will talk by video at the start of the session. When it is time to start the hypnosis, you will simply find a comfortable position in your favorite chair or other spot at home, close your eyes, and listen to my voice through earbuds. It's very important to have a reliable internet connection, and a private, quiet environment where you wont be disturbed.
We may also opt to keep the Zoom meeting going for the visual aspect, mute ourselves, and talk via phone for the hypnosis.
I've never used Zoom - how does it work?
It's easy! see this article for more info: https://nerdschalk.com/how-to-join-a-zoom-meeting-for-the-first-time/
That said, we can always use Doxy.me, which is even easier, if you have any trouble accessing Zoom. However, I find the quality of Zoom surpasses both Doxy.me and FaceTime.
FAQs about teletherapy:
What online platform do you use?
I use Zoom. As a backup, I use Doxy.me if needed.
Can we meet on FaceTime?
Yes, BUT be aware that some insurance plans may not cover teletherapy via FaceTime because it is not HIPPA-compliant.
How does teletherapy work?
First, I ask that you contact me to schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation. If we decide to move forward with working together, I will ask you to complete and return some paperwork prior to our first scheduled session.
For your sessions, you will need a quiet, confidential space (please do not drive during your appointment). Using your phone, tablet, or computer, you will connect with me on Zoom. As an alternative, we can also meet on another HIPPA-compliant video platform, Doxy.me.
If you are seeing me for hypnosis, we will talk by video at the start of the session. When it is time to start the hypnosis, you will simply find a comfortable position in your favorite chair or other spot at home, close your eyes, and listen to my voice through earbuds. It's very important to have a reliable internet connection, and a private, quiet environment where you wont be disturbed.
We may also opt to keep the Zoom meeting going for the visual aspect, mute ourselves, and talk via phone for the hypnosis.
I've never used Zoom - how does it work?
It's easy! see this article for more info: https://nerdschalk.com/how-to-join-a-zoom-meeting-for-the-first-time/
That said, we can always use Doxy.me, which is even easier, if you have any trouble accessing Zoom. However, I find the quality of Zoom surpasses both Doxy.me and FaceTime.
Will insurance cover the online sessions?
The vast majority of insurance plans do cover online psychotherapy - especially in this time of COVID19, when certain rules and regulations have been relaxed in order to remove barriers to mental health treatment.
However, rumor has it that some health insurers who authorized teletherapy in response to the pandemic are likely to retract coverage when in-person treatment becomes more feasible and safe again. So, if finances are an important consideration for you, I suggest calling your insurance provide to be sure they will cover video sessions, and checking in periodically to make sure the coverage has not been retracted.
I am happy to provide receipts for you to submit to your insurance if you have out of network benefits. I can also recommend an app that will streamline that process for you for a small fee.
The vast majority of insurance plans do cover online psychotherapy - especially in this time of COVID19, when certain rules and regulations have been relaxed in order to remove barriers to mental health treatment.
However, rumor has it that some health insurers who authorized teletherapy in response to the pandemic are likely to retract coverage when in-person treatment becomes more feasible and safe again. So, if finances are an important consideration for you, I suggest calling your insurance provide to be sure they will cover video sessions, and checking in periodically to make sure the coverage has not been retracted.
I am happy to provide receipts for you to submit to your insurance if you have out of network benefits. I can also recommend an app that will streamline that process for you for a small fee.
