At Talking Circles Therapy & Wellness, we are committed to offering access to effective counseling services for as many people as possible. In our Albuquerque, NM location, we’re able to provide therapy for a diverse range of individuals in our community, but we know there is a real need for better access to care in the remote parts of our state. Telehealth or online counseling allows us to offer the same therapy sessions for residents of Albuquerque as well as those who live in the surrounding areas who may have limited access to therapy services. Keep reading to learn more about telehealth online counseling for Albuquerque, NM and beyond from the Talking Circles Therapy & Wellness team.
You may hear telehealth referred to as teletherapy, online counseling, virtual therapy, or a variety of other names. By any name, telehealth is simply a counseling option that makes use of video technology to offer therapy sessions for clients who may live in the neighborhood or across the state. Rather than visiting our Albuquerque office to talk to your therapist, you’ll use a video software to have a talk with your counselor from your home, office, or even when you’re out of town for vacation or business travel.
We recognize that everyone who visits us has a unique set of needs, and telehealth sessions may not be the best option for you. If you’re considering online counseling, here are some of the benefits that many of our clients are happy about:
• Convenience – it can be difficult to explain a gap in your availability to your boss, coworkers, or peers. Even if you do feel comfortable sharing that you’re visiting with a therapist, it can still save you time to sit down in your office or home for a counseling session rather than needing to commute back and forth from our office.
• Comfort – some people never really feel relaxed in our office. We do our best to create comfortable office spaces, but for many, the biggest advantage of telehealth sessions is that you can have your appointment anywhere. In the comfort of your own home, you may find it easier to talk openly and make real progress.
• Access – if you don’t live in Albuquerque or another large city, you may only have a few therapists in your area, and the odds aren’t good that they’ll offer an ideal fit for your needs. Instead of trying to make something work, teletherapy gives you access to clinicians who have a range of training and experience within the field.
• Seamless care – if you travel frequently for work, go on vacation, or otherwise don’t stay in Albuquerque year-round, you may find yourself regularly skipping visits. Rather than only receiving intermittent counseling, teletherapy allows you to keep meeting with your therapist even when you’re out of town.
Research has stated that neither in-person counseling or online counseling is better than the other. In fact, as stated above, many people state they enjoy online counseling due to the convenience of it and its effectiveness. Not to mention, some people may find it easier to open up to a professional when they feel comfortable. And let’s face it, if you’re in the comfort of your own home, it’s easier to be yourself sometimes. A therapist wants to see the real you so they can provide the best tools and strategies that work for you as an individual. If you feel just as comfortable in a face-to-face session, that works too! It’s a personal choice and depends on what works best for you. There’s no right or wrong answer.
For your telehealth session, you will need the following things:
For those who are unable to engage with us via video chat, we are also offering therapy sessions over the phone. We prefer being able to see you and speak face-to-face because it offers an experience that is closer to a traditional in-office visit, but we understand that this isn’t an option for everyone.
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many insurers are offering coverage for telephone sessions, so you don’t have to worry about lost benefits for your call-in counseling sessions.
We use two confidential and HIPAA-compliant video systems. They’re similar to video chat software like Facetime or Skype that you may have used in your personal life, but the HIPAA compliant software was developed specifically to provide access to virtual medical treatments. This means they are more secure and private than the systems you may have experience using personally.
Before your first telehealth session, your clinician will send you an email with an invitation. Within that email, you’ll find a link to your clinician’s individual virtual waiting room. At the time of your session, simply click on the link.
You will use the telehealth link provided by our administrative team. You may be asked to provide your name, accept terms, test your camera and sound, or a number of other small tasks. For this reason, we recommend getting started about five to ten minutes before your first telehealth appointment. If you need help, please don’t hesitate to call your therapist directly for assistance.
Once you and your clinician are both logged on and ready, you’ll enter your video session where you’ll be able to speak to your therapist face-to-face just like you would during your in-office visit.
We do our best to create the same warm, welcoming environment where you can safely and comfortably work with your clinician talking through what’s been going on since your last session and working toward your goals. We understand that there may be some additional challenges to maintaining this treatment environment (kids or pets running in and out of the room, doorbells, etc.), but once you get used to these virtual visits, most clients tell us they like them as much or more than an in-office session.
If we are in-network with your insurance provider and they allow behavioral telehealth counseling, we can bill your insurance, and you will be responsible for any copayments or deductibles, per usual in-office setting visits.
If you do not have insurance, we do not accept your insurance, or your insurer will not cover telehealth services, you would be responsible for your clinician’s hourly fee (please refer to the Rates and Insurance page).
Take that first step and contact us to schedule an appointment for counseling in Albuquerque by calling (505) 261-9770 or visit our contact page. There is never an obligation, and if we are not a good match, the Talking Circles Therapy & Wellness team is happy to provide you with a referral.
