Telehealth
Do you need support, but can’t make it to an in-person appointment?
NOW — meet with your a therapist from the convenience and comfort of your home — or anywhere you are in Washington State.
Video counseling is convenient and effective —
No traffic.
No lobbies.
No kidding!
“I was initially very skeptical about telehealth, as were many of my clients. I’ve been so pleasantly surprised at how well it has gone — it’s now a preferred way for so many people to receive therapy. I get constant feedback from clients about it being effective, easy and convenient. Many have said it still feels like a very connected way to receive care. I would recommend to anyone to give it a chance — it really does work!”
Whether you are looking for individual therapy, child/teen therapy, or couples counseling — we are here for you — virtually!
Telehealth eliminates you having to deal with travel time, traffic, and parking. Now, you can simply log on with your home computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone at the time of your counseling appointment. We help make the technology part easy to get you started.
Besides being convenient and secure, video counseling has also been proven to be just as effective as in-person therapy.
If you, or someone you care about, needs additional support, we invite you to call for a telehealth appointment at (425) 357-9111, ext. 1. Our Care Coordinator Team will connect you with an experienced provider to help with your unique situation.
While most Washington State insurance policies cover telehealth just like in-office therapy, MCFS checks your insurance benefit coverage before your first appointment.
Common Questions About Telehealth
We know that online therapy can bring up understandable hesitations and questions. We are happy to put your mind at ease and provide further information about what to expect.
How does telehealth work?
You can use your phone, computer or tablet to participate. You can talk to your provider as you normally would — it’s that easy!
For new clients, simply call our Client Care Team at 425.357.9111, ext. 1 — and they will get you all you need to get connected.
Is it confidential?
Absolutely. Our therapists maintain strict confidentiality standards for your protection. This means your sessions cannot be recorded. Our therapists are provide counseling via video from their MCFS office, or from areas of their home that have privacy. While we can’t completely promise that your provider’s cat or dog won’t briefly stop in to say hello – you don’t need to worry — they have been fully trained in our HIPAA protocols!
Will it be covered by my insurance?
Most healthcare plans provide coverage for telehealth just like in-office therapy. While this can be at your regular copay, coinsurance and/or deductible, there are some variations depending on your specific policy. Many insurance plans have been waiving copays and coinsurance costs during COVID-19.
If you and your therapist are not sure about your benefits, please reach out to our Billing Department at 425-357-9111 ext 3 or billing@millcreekfamilyservices.com and we can assist you.
Do I need to be in Washington State for this virtual service?
Yes. There are currently regulations in place that require clients to physically be in Washington State at the time they are receiving counseling services from a WA State telehealth provider.
I’m home with my family and don’t know if I have a private space to talk — any advice?
We appreciate that finding privacy at home can be a tricky dynamic. Some of our clients meet for virtual sessions while on a walk, sitting in their car, or from their backyard. Often our therapists can adjust their schedules to connect with you during less busy times for your household — such as providing sessions on different days and earlier or later than usual. You can also try using headphones — or, you can be on the screen but communicating with your therapist by the chat feature, in which you and your therapist can type back and forth.
I’m still not sure telehealth is right for me – maybe I should wait until I can see a therapist in person?
It’s understandable to want to have or continue an in-person therapy. However, connecting with a counselor via video is an easy way to get started with care — or avoid disrupting your care. With telehealth you can receive consistent support toward your goals. This has become even more important for many during these stressful times.
We want you to be well prepared to face the challenges ahead, whatever they might be.
Does video counseling work for children?
Yes. If the therapy is for a younger child, our therapists are creative in engaging your child. Our clinicians also provide parent consultation and support as well.
Is telehealth effective?
Yes. There have been numerous studies conducted showing that telehealth is just as effective as in-person counseling.
The American Psychiatric Association(APA) published a physician reviewed article in 2017 that notes the following:
“There is substantial evidence of the effectiveness of telepsychiatry and research has found satisfaction to be high among patients, psychiatrists and other professionals. Telepsychiatry is equivalent to in-person care in diagnostic accuracy, treatment effectiveness, quality of care and patient satisfaction. Patient privacy and confidentiality are equivalent to in-person care. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-telepsychiatry
According to a 2016 article in the World Journal of Psychiatry:
“…telepsychiatry is comparable to face-to-face services in terms of reliability of clinical assessments and treatment outcomes . . . telepsychiatry performed as well as, if not better than face-to-face delivery of mental health services.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4919267/
*Note when seeing the word Telepsychiatry, it is defined by the following –a subset of telemedicine, can involve providing a range of services including psychiatric evaluations, therapy (individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy), patient education and medication management. (APA, 2017)
Other helpful information about telehealth care:
How to Make the Most out of Teletherapy Right Now:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/teletherapy-online-coronavirus_l_5e723effc5b6eab7794073c3
Can’t See Your Therapist Because of COVID-19? The New World of Virtual Psychotherapy is Brighter Than You Think:
Any further questions or concerns?
We welcome the opportunity to discuss these with you! Contact our Client Care Team at 425.357.9111, ext. 1.
We look forward to seeing you online soon!