TELEHEALTH/TELETHERAPY

Policies

Prior to engaging in telehealth, you will need to sign an Informed Consent for Telehealth and In Case of an Emergency-Telehealth form that will be emailed to you when an appointment is scheduled. You cannot begin telehealth services without signing these documents.*

*Due to COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency the rules governing verifying informed consent have been widened. Replying to receipt via email, verbal consent, and other means of providing consent are being allowed.

Scheduling

Please contact Kelly’s Grief Center at 330.593.5959 to schedule telehealth sessions. Please note that some of your clinician's available hours may have changed due to current circumstances. Participating in telehealth services is not mandatory. To cancel an appointment, please call the office or go to your portal. Our policy requiring a 24-hour cancellation of an appointment is still required. If you provide less than a 24-hour notice you will be responsible for a late cancellation charge.

Service/payments

Telehealth includes any services for the maintenance of treatment that does not occur in-person. This may include video meetings and phone calls.

Video sessions:

Late cancellation/no-show fees will continue to apply to telehealth sessions. If you cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice or do not show up for your session you will be charged $60.00.

EMERGENCY/CRISIS SERVICES

If you are having thoughts/plans to harm yourself or someone else, please call 911 immediately or attend your nearest emergency room. You can also use one of the following resources:

Help Network of Northeast Ohio: 211 or (800) 684-2324 or text "helpline" to 898211
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255

Video procedures:

Kelly’s Grief Center is committed to providing telehealth services in the most ethical and competent way we can. All clinicians have taken the required training in order to offer telehealth services. Video sessions will take place through a secure, HIPAA compliant platform. Kelly’s Grief Center uses “Doxy.me, Zoom and or SimplePractice telehealth for our video sessions.

After scheduling an appointment with your clinician, you will receive an email with which platform is being used and a link to your video session.

Service for minors:

Individual video sessions and phone calls will not be available to minors under 12 years of age. If you would like to schedule a family session or "check-in" session with your therapist, you may do so, but a guardian will need to be present for the call. We cannot ensure safety and confidentiality of video/phone sessions with minors.

Tips for video calls:

Minimum bandwidth connection of 384kb or higher (your phone should be sufficient).
Minimum resolution of 640x360 at 30 frames per second (your phone should be
sufficient).
Operational web camera and microphone
While your phone may meet most above requirements, you may benefit from using a larger screen such as a tablet or computer to get the most out of video sessions and be able to clearly see your therapist.
Whatever device you’re using, please make sure that the camera is about level with your eyes. It may require propping up your device or monitor on other items, such as books.
Be sure to move your computer as close as you can to your WiFi router (the box that makes the WiFi). Or better yet—plug your computer into the router with a cable.
Private location (please be mindful that other individuals in rooms near you may be able to hear your call. Use of headphones is recommended to maximize confidentiality).
No other individuals present in the room unless previously approved by your therapist. If anyone is in the room that is not authorized by your therapist, your session will be terminated.
Adequate lighting so you are visible to your therapist. (Avoid lighting behind you, i.e. windows etc.)
Appropriate dress and environment (what you would wear to an in-office session and a location you feel comfortable having your therapist see).
You will be asked for your physical location/address and emergency phone number to reach you at the beginning of each session. Please have this information ready. Public places are not appropriate for confidential therapy sessions. Sessions may not take place while you are driving.
Exit out of any programs that use bandwidth and ensure that no one in your home is streaming video or gaming which may affect your internet connection.
Set your phone/device to "do not disturb" to minimize distractions and notifications.
Think about setting up your space with things that you would typically have available to you in your therapist's office: tissues, fidgets, water, comfortable seating, etc. This may also be an opportunity to have extra comforts available, like a pet or other comfort item(s).
Please do not use substances before or during your sessions. If this occurs, your session will be terminated.
In the event of service disruption, try to regain contact using the same medium. If that does not work, your therapist will contact you through phone/text/email. Your therapist will make every effort to regain contact.

Detail description of telehealth (credited to The Mayo Clinic) here.

Additional covid-19 resources:

A special thank you to Blue Star Family Counseling Services, Inc., Cortland, Ohio for allowing us to share the above information.