Telehealth

Telehealth counseling is no longer a concept of the future.

Telehealth services are here to stay and they are available at Relationship Solutions. Keep reading if you’ve wondered if telehealth counseling is right for you.

While telehealth services have been available for many years now, the service has not been widely embraced by most clients and counselors. This is probably because most people still prefer to meet in person for the one-on-one interaction and the comfortable, safe office setting. Another reason why people have not used telehealth services could be due to the technological requirements necessary to participate in the service. But regardless of whatever previous reluctance clients and counselors have experienced, the threat of the COVID-19 virus required millions of Americans to reconsider telehealth as an option when the national quarantine went into effect.

Although telehealth is different in some ways than an in-office, in-person session, it does have its benefits. Some of those benefits include convenience, access to counseling services, lower costs and safety.

Individuals, couples and families seeking counseling services without having to drive to the counseling office will enjoy the convenience that telehealth offers. All that is needed is access to a laptop or mobile phone with a camera, a strong internet or data connection and a secure, confidential space. Many clients report feeling more secure in their own home environment as they speak to their counselor and have found that they actually prefer the telehealth model.

Telehealth services also provide a much needed resource for those who live in rural areas or where travel to a counselor’s office is difficult. Where long distances once presented a significant barrier to counseling, distance is no longer an issue thanks to technology-assisted counseling. And for those homebound clients who are not mobile enough to travel, telehealth counseling brings the counseling services straight to their phone or laptop.

There is also a beneficial financial aspect to telehealth. The money a client can save without the cost of travel, the extra time needed off work, and other extraneous expenses is very appealing. For financial reasons alone, clients may find that telehealth counseling is a better option for them.

Some Things to Consider

Individuals, families or couples that are using telehealth services should be aware of the potential risks involved with this mode of therapy and take steps to secure themselves and their Protected Health Information (PHI).

• Telehealth sessions should be conducted in an area that is private and where confidential information being discussed cannot be overheard by others.
• Telehealth sessions should not be conducted on public computers or devices where secure data can be discovered by other users.
• Persons participating in telehealth sessions should protect their own digital information and make sure it is secured and password protected when necessary.

Several members of the clinical team at Relationship Solutions already specialize in telehealth counseling and every member of the clinical team have experience in using this platform. We are available and ready to provide telehealth services throughout the state of Arkansas. Some of our counselors are licensed to provide telehealth services in Iowa, Texas and Florida. If you are interested in learning more about telehealth services by one of our licensed, highly skilled counselors, please call the Relationship Solutions front desk at (479) 242-3200 or email us at frontdesk@myrelationshipsolutions.com. Our friendly, caring staff is here to help.