Get help from home with secure online therapy sessions
What is Telehealth?
Through audio and video over the internet, you can meet with your clinician on-the-go from your desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device (iOS or Android) – it’s your choice!
Telehealth allows us to connect anywhere with secure and convenient appointments that save you time and hassle. There’s no need to deal with traffic when you can schedule and attend your appointments directly from a laptop or mobile device. At Lionhearted Counseling, Telehealth is available at all times.
What equipment do I need?
To participate in Telehealth appointments from your home, you will need one of the following devices:
Desktop computer with a webcam, speakers, a 2.5 GHz processor, and 4 GB of RAM OR
Laptop computer with built-in webcam and speakers, a 2.5 GHz processor, and 4 GB of RAM OR
Tablet device with built-in webcam and speakers, OR
Smartphone with at least iOS 10 or Android 7.0
(Note: To use a smartphone, you must first download ZOOM – available for iOS or Android in the app store.)
You will also need an internet connection that is at least 10 Mbps. For optimal results, a reliable, high-speed internet connection with a bandwidth of at least 10 Mbps will minimize connection issues and provide the best quality.
What can I do to improve the quality of the connection?
If you live in an area with slow internet, this can really affect the speed of your connection. Here are some basic steps that can improve the overall quality:
Use wired Ethernet instead of wifi whenever possible. Wifi will work, but you may experience a lag and interference, which can make your video and audio choppy. If you experience a lag or interference while using Wifi, we recommend moving closer to your router. However, wired internet will give you a much smoother, more consistent experience.
Test your internet connection speed. Google provides an easy way to test your internet connection directly from the Google homepage. Simply search: internet speed test. Click the blue button that says Run Speed Test. If it is under 10mbps and you’re using wifi, try using a wired internet connection or restarting your router.
Close other programs. If you have several programs running in the background, closing them will almost certainly improve the quality. Also, make sure you’re not downloading any large files.
If you are unable to connect, please contact me as soon as possible to see if I can help you troubleshoot.
How should I prepare my space for a Telehealth appointment?
Identify a suitable room that is quiet, private, and free of distractions. To keep background noise to a minimum, make sure to close any doors, shut windows, turn off the television, and keep loud pets in another room if possible. Consider hanging a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door to avoid interruptions.
I recommend joining the video appointment a few minutes early to test your settings and make sure your microphone and video are working properly.
Is Telehealth private?
Just like a face-to-face appointment, your Telehealth visit will be private and confidential.
Will the appointments be recorded?
None of our appointments will ever be recorded or stored.
The above information and advice is courtesy of Simple Practice.
Reach out today
At Lionhearted Counseling, we have used Telehealth since 2017, and all of our clinicians are well-trained and experienced at treating clients remotely. Our compassionate approach aligns with the APA's and ACA’s standards and practices.
Online therapy is secure, effective, and available. Reach out to Lionhearted Counseling today to learn more or schedule an appointment via phone, or just fill out the contact form below and click Send. You can also book an appointment online.
