Therapy via Telehealth:

Questions You May Have

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am currently only serving clients remotely via telehealth. Below are answers to questions you may have about what telehealth is and how it works.

What exactly is telehealth and how does it work?

Telehealth is the name given to the process of meeting with healthcare practitioners online through a videoconferencing platform (such as Zoom or Doxy.me) over computer or smartphone. In order to maintain your privacy and confidentiality, any platform used to conduct telehealth sessions must be secure and confidential.

Do I need special hardware or software to use telehealth?

The answer to this question depends on the platform used by the practitioner. For my practice, I conduct client sessions exclusively over Zoom and BetterHelp. Both can be used over a web browser and while you are not required to download the Zoom client, it is recommended.

Most computers today should have little trouble running telehealth software. However, the quality of the picture, sound, and connection can be impacted by your internet speed, available computer memory, computer graphics settings, and other factors.

Connectivity is not guaranteed. Should technical problems prevent a stable audio-video connection, then the session may be conducted over telephone—though this is a last resort.

Will my insurance cover telehealth sessions?

During the pandemic, Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Cigna have relaxed their telehealth requirements for psychotherapy, but you may want to contact them to ensure that your specific plan is eligible. While my practice diligently works to obtain insurance benefits verification ahead of the first session, the client is ultimately responsible for knowing what their insurance covers.

Will you be returning to the office for in-person sessions anytime soon?

At this moment, I am not planning on seeing clients in my office until I can be assured that there is minimal risk to my clients or myself.

I don’t live in New York state. Can I still receive therapy from you over telehealth?

At the present time, Board regulations require that I am only able to see clients who are physically within the State of New York during the time of the session.