How to Prepare for a Telehealth Appointment (Online Therapy)

August 15th, 2024

Before the pandemic, it was uncommon for health practices to facilitate virtual telehealth appointments. However, many practices now request patients to set appointments via the internet now. Many mental health services have also transitioned to primarily online therapy through telehealth services.

Due to this shift towards online mental health services, it may be difficult for many individuals to understand how therapy can be provided over a virtual space. Many individuals may fear confidentiality risks, discomfort utilizing technology, and simply not knowing how to prepare for an online therapy appointment. Keep reading to learn how you can prepare for your telehealth appointment and ensure you get the most out of your online therapy sessions.

What is Telehealth?

First off, it is important to understand what telehealth is:

Telehealth is a method of delivery for medical practices to serve patients at a distance with utilization of video and audio telecommunication. It can help individuals get services that are inaccessible due to barriers such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Other barriers may include distance, time, and lack of mobility.

Telehealth can be used in multiple settings such as at home, medical offices, schools, hospitals, residences, and nursing home facilities. Telehealth is used for initial appointments, follow-up visits, medication management, psychotherapy services, and general test results or health questions.

It is important to know that most insurance providers offer great telehealth coverage. All states with Medicare or Medicaid programs must offer access to secure telehealth services. If you have any questions, please call your insurance provider for more information. At Clarity Clinic, our online psychiatrists and online therapists accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, and United Health Care insurance plans

Finally, all telehealth services are secure, private and confidential. A provider’s #1 priority is to provide a secure platform to protect any patient's identity and privacy in accordance with HIPPA guidelines. Only you and your psychiatrist or therapist will have access to a telehealth link via Zoom, Google Meets, or other platforms that will have factors in place to secure the online therapy appointment.

Your First Telehealth Appointment

To help ease any discomfort here is how you can prepare for your first telehealth appointment for mental health services, also known as online therapy:

Complete Initial Assessment Paperwork

Your mental health provider needs to know the mental health issues you are coming for to treat you properly. The initial assessment will include several measures of common mental health issues, psychiatric history, social history, developmental history, suicide assessments, etc.

This paperwork must be filled out for a psychiatrist or therapist to be able to meet confidentiality requirements and get to know you. This is why it is important for you to thoroughly fill out any paperwork before meeting with your telehealth psychiatrist or online therapist

Request Assistive Technology or Programs Beforehand

If you require any accommodations or assistive technology to fully participate in your telehealth appointment or online therapy session, it's important to notify your provider ahead of time. Doing so ensures that your needs are met, and you can make the most of your session without any disruptions.

By requesting these services before your appointment, your telehealth psychiatrist or online therapist can ensure everything is set up in advance, allowing you to focus entirely on your well-being during your session.

Accommodations may include:

Screen Readers: For individuals with visual impairments, screen readers can help by converting text to speech, allowing you to navigate online platforms with ease.
Closed Captioning: If you have hearing difficulties, closed captioning can provide real-time text for spoken conversations, making it easier to follow and engage.
Translation Services: Language barriers should never hinder access to mental health care. If you prefer a session in a different language, translation services can bridge the gap, ensuring clear communication between you and your therapist.
Audio Assistance: For those with hearing impairments, specialized audio equipment or adjustments may be necessary to optimize sound quality during the session.

Write It Down

Preparing for your first telehealth appointment is crucial to ensure you get the most out of your online therapy session. One effective way to stay organized and make sure nothing is overlooked when you take therapy online is to write down important information ahead of time.

Having this information readily available can help streamline the conversation and allow your telehealth psychiatrist or online therapist to address your concerns efficiently. Here are some key items to consider jotting down:

List of Psychiatric Medications: Include the names, dosages, and how long you've been taking each medication. This allows your psychiatrist to understand your current treatment plan, assess its effectiveness, and make any necessary adjustments.
Contact Information for Your Psychiatrist/Therapist: If you're working with other healthcare professionals, having their contact information on hand can facilitate coordination of care. Your telehealth psychiatrist or therapist may need to communicate with them about your treatment plan or medical history.
Symptoms: Document your symptoms, including their frequency, intensity, and any patterns you’ve noticed. This might include physical symptoms (e.g., sleep disturbances, changes in appetite) as well as emotional and mental health symptoms (e.g., feelings of anxiety, mood swings). Writing them down helps you articulate your experiences clearly during the appointment.
Medical History: If applicable, note any previous diagnoses or significant events in your mental health history. This helps the therapist or psychiatrist gain a more comprehensive understanding of your situation.
Questions: Think ahead about any questions or concerns you have regarding your treatment, therapy process, or anything related to your mental health. Whether it’s about side effects of medications, coping strategies, or what to expect from future online therapy sessions, having your questions written down ensures you won’t forget to ask during the session.

Find a Safe Space

It is important to find a secure, separate, space for therapy. Creating the right environment for your online therapy sessions is essential to ensure that you can fully engage in the conversation and feel comfortable expressing yourself. When selecting a space for therapy, consider the following factors to ensure that it’s secure, private, and conducive to your emotional well-being:

Internet access: In order to have the best online therapy experience Make sure your internet connection is stable and take active measures to secure it.
Close all other applications: This will help secure privacy and confidentiality, but also reduce distractions.
Check your email for instructions before the appointment: Review any information received from your mental health therapist or psychiatrist before the first day of online therapy. This information will come from a secure form of communication such as an email.
Access video/audio system: Set your computer or other device on a flat surface, and play around with your camera and microphone system to make sure it is working,
Be comfortable: Wear something comfortable, eat before you come, and relax.
Stay focused: Make your virtual appointment a reality; avoid driving, running errands, and cleaning during your appointment.

Plan for Payment and Insurance

Before your appointment, check with your provider or their office about payment methods, whether they accept your insurance, and if any co-payments are required. Have your payment details and insurance information ready to avoid any last-minute confusion.

Affordable Online Therapy & In-Person Therapy Near You

At Clarity Clinic, you can find the best online psychiatrist that takes insurance as well as receive the best online therapy that takes insurance to ensure you get the affordable quality mental health care you deserve. We offer in-person therapy in Chicago with multiple mental health clinics throughout the city ( Loop, River North, Belmont Lakeview, Broadway Lakeview, Evanston, and Arlington Heights) for added convenience.

If you are looking to take online therapy or book an appointment with a telehealth psychiatrist, we offer a wide range of the best therapists and best psychiatrists for you to choose from. We have specialists who offer family therapy, couples therapy, child therapy, group therapy, adult psychiatry, child psychiatry, TMS therapy, PHP/IOP programs, and more.

Whether you are looking for someone who specializes in anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, trauma, stress, ADHD, addiction, or any other mental health illness, we can help you find the right therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist to perfectly match your needs.

What are you waiting for? Take control of your mental health today and book an online therapy appointment or an in person appointment to get the best therapy near you.

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Related Readings:

- How to Find the Right Therapist for You
- Five Tips for Making Progress in Therapy
- Therapy vs. Psychiatry: How Are They Different and How Are They the Same?