Telehealth Therapy and Psychiatric Care

Video counseling, also known as telehealth counseling or teletherapy, works much like an in-person counseling appointment. You will make the same call to our office and go through the intake process just like anyone else. Once matched with your therapist, you will complete your intake forms and return them in the same way you would if you were coming into the office. Our intake coordinator is available to help you with this by phone: 425-775-4059, ext 1; text: 425-775-4059; or email: gethelp@bluestoneps.com. Before your first appointment, you will receive instructions on how to connect with your therapist through your web browser, either on your computer, tablet/iPad or on your cell phone. It is as simple as entering a web address into the address bar on your browser just before your appointment. You will then be guided to your therapist who will be waiting to start your session. For all appointments you have after the first one, you’ll simply go to the same web address each time and connect.

Telehealth counseling does not require fancy equipment. All you need is access to the internet and your own computer or tablet/iPad with a camera or cell phone that can access the internet. It’s a good idea to also use earbuds or a headset of some sort – these do not need to be fancy or expensive. You do not need to download any special programs or apps. You will also need to be able to ensure your own privacy for your appointment. That can be at home, a private space at work, in your car, or wherever it works.

Yes, for many plans but this depends on your specific insurance plan. Once you have an appointment scheduled, our billing specialists will be happy to investigate your benefits for you.

Yes. This is often the case for our clients. Sometimes it works best to meet in person and sometimes it works best to meet via teletherapy. A perfect example is if you are sick and don’t want to risk giving it to anyone else. It is not necessary to choose either in-person counseling or telehealth counseling. You can do both.

Yes. All telehealth sessions held by any provider with Bluestone is conducted through a fully HIPAA compliant video platform and telephone system. We are required by law to provide telehealth clients with the same security and confidentiality as we do any client who comes into our offices. Your therapist will be in a private place just like they are in the office. You will help protect your confidentiality by making sure you are located in a place that gives you full privacy. This means no one else is in the room and anyone who may be in the area (e.g., others who are also home) will not walk in on you. It is also a good idea to use earbuds or a headset of some kind so others will not overhear what your counselor says to you.

While not necessarily an identical experience to an in-person appointment, counseling via your computer or cell phone offers flexibility that office-based appointments do not. There are many reasons you may not be able to get to your therapist’s office. These might include:

• You are not feeling well and don’t want to risk giving it to anyone else
• You are home caring for a sick family member
• You have kids home from school due to holidays or half days
• You are unable to get to your counselor’s office due to schedule conflicts
• You are unable to get to available appointment times due to travel time
• You want to work with a specific therapist but you are not located in the same area

The most obvious drawback is the lack of in-person contact with your therapist. There can be subtle non-verbal forms of communication, like body language, that can be missed because you are not in the same room together. Communicating through a screen you will not be able to see each other’s whole body. Click here for more information about possible drawbacks to telehealth counseling.

No. There are times when in-person counseling really is the best option. You and your counselor will determine on a regular basis if telehealth is still the best choice for the issues you are working on in your treatment.

Yes, when appropriate. There may be some issues that are best treated in an office environment but many can also be treated through telehealth. You will talk with your counselor to make the best choice about this.