Question 1

Is virtual counseling/teletherapy secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  Protecting your privacy is very important.  To that end, we will be using HIPPA-secure clinical software from Adaptive Telehealth for scheduling, billing, document sharing, email, and video conferencing when we conduct our sessions.  After we agree to work together, I will register you as a client by asking for your email address.  Then, I will send a secure link to the email address you provided.  You will create an account on the Adaptive Telehealth website.  Adaptive Telehealth works best with the Google Chrome browser, but you can use other browsers as well.

Adaptive Telehealth follows the regulations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

Here is a link to the Adaptive Telehealth philosophy about HIPPA compliance:

https://www.adaptivetelehealth.com/index.php/prospect/HIPAA

For more information about your rights under HIPPA, click the following link to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/guidance-materials-for-consumers/index.html (https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/guidance-materials-for-consumers/index.html)

Question 2

What should I ask my insurance provider when inquiring about out-of-network behavioral health services?

Accepted Answer

Call member services. The contact information is usually on the back of your insurance card. Ask the following questions:
 • Are mental health benefits covered under my plan? 
 • Does your company manage my family's mental health benefits or is another company "subcontracted" to manage my mental health benefits? 
 • Do I need pre-approval/referral from my insurance company before I can see a mental health professional? 
 • Do I need a referral from my primary care physician to see a mental health professional? 
 • Do I have a deductible for services? If so, how much?
 • Are there co-payments for services? If so, how much?
 • Can I only see providers on the list provided by my insurance (in-network) or can I choose to see any qualified professional (out-of-network)? 
 • If services are covered for providers who are out-of-network, are those services covered differently than services provided by in-network providers? 
 • Are there visit limits, dollar limits or other coverage limits for my mental health benefits?

Question 3

What’s the typical number of sessions?

Accepted Answer

The length of therapy will be determined by your specific needs and goals.  In the course of therapy, we will establish points at which to evaluate your satisfaction and progress.  Also, I will encourage you to raise any questions or concerns that you have about therapy at any time.
 
In the later stage of therapy, we will “phase out” or meet less frequently in order for you [and your partner(s)] to test out the new skills and to prepare for the termination of therapy. Although you may terminate therapy whenever you wish, it is most helpful to have at least one session together to summarize progress, define the work that remains, and say good-bye.

For couples, I will suggest having four follow-up sessions: one after 6 months, one after 12 months, one after 18 months, and one after 2 years.  These sessions have been shown through research to significantly decrease the chances of relapse into previous, unhelpful patterns.

Question 4

How long are sessions?

Accepted Answer

Individual and couple sessions are typically 50 minutes once a week, unless your needs call for additional or less frequent sessions.

Question 5

Do you have to live in Illinois to receive services?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  I am licensed to practice in the State of Illinois, which means I can only see clients that reside in the state.

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