Common use of Benefits include Clause in Contracts

Benefits include. It's more convenient. It can decrease the time commitment of therapy since there is no travel time I can see you even if you are unable to get to my office (ex. transportation issues), if you are home sick, or when you are home caring for an ill family member I can see you when you travel within the state, or even when you move within the state You can always choose to schedule a face-to-face session, when desired There is a greater chance of misunderstanding -- due to technology limits, I might not see some of your body language or hear subtle differences in your tone of voice that I could easily pick up if you were in my office. And you might not pick up mine. If we meet in-person, I have more control of interruptions. With video, I can't control your setting. Internet connections could cease working or become too unstable to use The telehealth platform or our computers/smartphones can have sudden failure or run out of power You may feel more emotional distance related to the lack of in-person contact and presence. I cannot guarantee the privacy/confidentiality of conversations held via phone, as these can be intercepted accidentally or intentionally. I cannot guarantee that hackers will not access video calls. I cannot immediately intervene in-person if you are in crisis. Telemental health is not a good fit for everyone, so prior to starting telehealth, we will discuss whether it is appropriate for you. If at any point you find the telehealth platform difficult to use or distracting you from our work, please let me know. You have the right to discontinue receiving telehealth counseling at any time, without consequence. I am always happy to discuss moving to phone or in-person sessions. Likewise, if at any point I do not feel telehealth is working for me or for your treatment, I may discontinue this treatment option. If we are connecting by video, I will send you a link to sign in to my secure and HIPAA-compatible video platform. You don't need to set up an account of any kind in advance. It is OK to "arrive" early -- I will connect with you at the time of the session. If we are connecting by phone, I will call you at our scheduled time. I will be in a private location where I am alone in the room. You also need to be in a private location where you can speak openly without being overheard or interrupted by others to protect your own confidentiality. If you choose to be in a place where others can hear you, I cannot be responsible for your confidentiality. At the start of the session, I may verify your location (street address). This enables me to send help, if needed, and to verify that you are in-state. I can only provide therapy to you while you are in the state where I am licensed. If I do not ask, please be sure to tell me if you are not at your home. Do not invite others to join us for any part of the session without discussing this with me in advance. Please be sure to have a cell phone with you or be near a phone, in case video gets cut off. Use a computer or tablet instead of a cell phone so that you can see me better. Make sure your device is fully charged. Utilize Chrome or Firefox to connect to the video platform Wear a two-ear headset with microphone (this can help us hear each other) Close other applications or programs on your computer. Make sure you have strong internet connection -- you may need to be near your modem. Consider how you will reduce interruptions (ex. talking to family in advance about your need for privacy during that hour, using a "do not disturb" sign on your door, etc.) Find a location where your face will be well-lit so I can see your facial expressions clearly.