Telemental Health

Telemental Health Services

Art of Counseling provides teletherapy services in the entire State of Minnesota to ensure excellent mental health services are widely accessible and convenient. We provide individual, couples, and group therapy/training using reliable, secure high-quality video tools. Our telemental health therapy appointments can take place nearly anywhere. They only require is a private space and a good internet connection, and a computer with a camera and speakers.

How does art therapy work with telemental health?

During your online session you may choose to use your own art materials such as crayons, pencils, pens, paints, play-dough, etc. if you’re working with one of our Art Therapists. In addition to that, your therapist may come up with many images and metaphors as you talk. This is such a powerful way of communicating your experiences. You may also like to use art materials in between appointments, in a visual journal, sparked by what comes up in the session.

Four Benefits of Telemental Health

1. Expands Access

Telemental health puts mental health services within reach of clients who live in rural or remote areas where counselors may be scarce. Flexibility to see therapist’s and receive treatment during times of personal or community illnesses.

2. Saves Time

With clinical mental health therapists now serving clients over long distances through videoconferencing, travel time can involve just the seconds it takes to walk to one’s laptop. This innovative counseling model eliminates a client’s need for transportation, and any travel-related costs. Telemental health also can make it easier for clients to work appointments into their schedules without having to take time off from work.

3. Eases Stigma

In 1999, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher identified the stigma around mental illness as the most persistent barrier to individuals seeking help and noted that this stigma is more pronounced in rural settings.³ For clients concerned about appearing publicly at a practitioner’s office, working with clinical mental health counselors from home via teleconferencing, or by phone, can ease anxieties and promote acceptance of treatment. Professionals, advocacy groups, and others continue their work to dispel this misplaced sense of embarrassment or shame about seeking mental health services, heeding Satcher’s plea to “confront the attitudes, fear, and misunderstanding that remain as barriers before us.”

4. Gets Results

Research continues to affirm the efficacy of telemental health services, with studies showing that videoconferencing is as effective as face-to-face treatments.⁴ Offering increased provider options and a multitude of convenient technological vehicles, telemental health is a growing and effective alternative for those delivering and receiving mental health services.

General Information

“Telemedicine” means the delivery of health care services or consultations while the patient is at an originating site and the licensed health care provider is at a distant site. A communication between licensed health care providers that consists solely of a telephone conversation, e-mail, or facsimile transmission does not constitute telemedicine consultations or services. A communication between a licensed health care provider and a patient that consists solely of an e-mail or facsimile transmission does not constitute telemedicine consultations or services. Telemedicine may be provided by means of real-time two-way, interactive audio and visual communications, including the application of secure video conferencing or store-and-forward technology to provide or support health care delivery, which facilitate the assessment, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, education, and care management of a patient’s health care. MN Statute Sec 256B.0625, subdivision 8 & 147.033

Information and Informed Consent for Telemental Health Treatment

Telemental health is live two – way audio and video electronic communications that allows therapists and clients to meet outside of a physical office setting.

Client Understanding

I understand that telemental health services are completely voluntary and that I can withdraw this consent at any time.
I understand that none of the telemental health sessions will be recorded or photographed. I agree not to make or allow audio or video recordings of any portion of the sessions.
I understand that the laws that protect privacy and the confidentiality of client information also apply to telemental health, and that no information obtained in the use of telemental health that identifies me will be disclosed to other entities without my consent.
I understand that telemental health is performed over a secure communication system that is almost impossible for anyone else to access. I understand that any internet based communication is not 100 % guaranteed to be secure.
I agree that the therapist and practice will not be held responsible if any outside party gains access to my personal information by bypassing the security measures of the communication system.
I understand there are potential risks to this technology, including interruptions, unauthorized access, and technical difficulties.
I understand that I or my therapist may discontinue the telemental sessions at any time if it is felt that the video technology is not adequate for the situation.
I understand that if there is an emergency during a telemental health session, then my therapist may call emergency services and/ or my emergency contact.
I understand that this form is signed in addition to the Notice of Privacy Practices and Consent to Treatment and that all office policies and procedures apply to telemental health services.
I understand that if the video conferencing connection drops while I am in a session, I will have an additional phone line available to contact my therapist, or I will make additional plans with my therapist ahead of time for re – contact.
I understand a “no show” or late fee will be charged if I miss an appointment or do not cancel within 24 hours of scheduled appointment. I understand credit card or other form of payment will be established before the first session.
I understand my therapist will advise me about what telemental health platform to use and she will establish a video conference session.