Scheerbert Psychological, PLLC

 

CONSENT FOR TELEPSYCHOLOGY

 

This Informed Consent for Telepsychology contains important information.  Please read this carefully, and ask if you have any questions.  When you sign this document, it will represent an agreement between you and your psychologist.

 

Benefits and Risks of Telepsychology

Telepsychology refers to providing psychotherapy services remotely using technologies such as video conferencing or telephone.  This can be advantageous for various reasons, but under normal circumstances, Scheerbert Psychological, PLLC uses it sparingly, preferring in-person treatment.  In exceptional circumstances which include the Corona Virus 2019 pandemic, telepsychology is necessary to reduce accidental transmission of the disease.  

 

Telepsychology requires technical competence on the parts of both psychologist and patient.  Along with certain benefits, telepsychology may involve risk.  For example:

 

• Risks to confidentiality.  Because telepsychology sessions take place outside of the therapist’s private office, there is the potential for other people to overhear sessions if the patient is not in a private place during the session.

 

• Issues related to technology.  There are multiple ways in which technological issues might impact telepsychology.  For example, technology could stop working during a session, other people might be able to get access to a conversation, or stored data could be accessed by unauthorized people or companies. 

 

• Crisis management and intervention.  Under most circumstances, a psychologist will not engage in telepsychology with a patient who in a crisis situation, requiring high levels of support and intervention. 

 

• Most research shows that telepsychology is about as effective as in-person psychotherapy. However, some believe that nonverbal aspects of the communication are lost by not being in the same room.

 

Electronic Communications

Scheerbert Psychological, PLLC uses GoToMeeting by LogMeIn as its preferred, secure and HIPAA-compliant video-conferencing platform.  Patients will need to have certain computer or cell phone systems to use telepsychology services. The patient is solely responsible for any cost to obtain the equipment, accessories, and software to take part in telepsychology.

 

Confidentiality

Scheerbert Psychological, PLLC has the legal and ethical responsibility to make a best effort at protecting all communications that are a part of telepsychology.  However, the nature of electronic communications technologies is such that it cannot be guaranteed that other people may not gain access to those communications.  Updated encryption methods, firewalls, and back-up systems will be utilized to help keep all information private, but there is always a small risk that the electronic communications may be compromised.  Patients should take reasonable steps to ensure the security of communications (for example: using only secure networks for telepsychology sessions and having passwords to protect the device(s) used for telepsychology). 

 

The extent of confidentiality and the exceptions to confidentiality that are outlined in the Therapist-Patient Services Agreement still apply in telepsychology.

 

Emergencies and Technology

Assessing and evaluating threats and other emergencies can be more difficult when conducting telepsychology than in traditional in-person therapy.  To address some of these issues, it may be appropriate to create an emergency plan.  In such cases, patients will be asked to identify an emergency contact person who will be nearby, and who can be contacted in the event of a crisis or emergency, to assist in addressing that emergency.  Patients will be asked to sign a separate authorization form allowing contact with the emergency contact person when appropriate.

 

If a teletherapy session is interrupted for any reason, such as when the technological connection fails, and the patient is experiencing an emergency, the patient should first call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.  Only after calling or obtaining emergency services should the psychologist then be informed.

 

Fees

The same fee rates will apply for telepsychology as for in-person psychotherapy. However, insurance or other managed care providers may not cover sessions that are conducted via telecommunication. If the applicable insurer does not cover electronic psychotherapy sessions, the patient is responsible for the fees unless other arrangements have been made.  Patients should contact their insurer prior to engaging in telepsychology to determine coverage.

 

Records

The telepsychology sessions shall not be audio-recorded unless agreed to in writing by mutual consent.  Your psychologist will maintain a record of our session in the same way in-person sessions are documented.

*  *  *  *

This agreement is intended as a supplement to the general informed consent which is signed at the outset of treatment, and does not amend any of the terms of that agreement.  Your signature below indicates agreement with these terms and conditions.