I understand the need for tele-health during the time of pandemic and I plan to maintain this useful form of therapy. It's just that, personally, I can't do it all the time. I need to be in my office, that special space where I meet with the people who want support. People in pain, people looking for a human connection.
Don't get me wrong, I am wearing a mask and only seeing a few patients in the office for two days out of the week, but it works for me and for the people who come to see me. Ironically, my decision to go back to the office caught ME by surprise! I like solitude. If you've read any of my books, you know that I feel best when I'm on my own, taking time for reflection without interruption. But this COVID-19 pandemic has taught me that when it comes to treating patients, I need to see you, mask-to-mask, in the same space. I need to see your whole body, the fidgeting, the foot tapping, the nail picking... all of those micro-movements that reflect how you're feeling. Behind a tele-health screen I really can't see much below your neck.
At the office, I wear a mask and wash my hands until they're raw, all out of respect for anyone who comes to visit the office because I know it will lower the chance of spreading infection. Some would argue that our face coverings block us from fully connecting. That's true to an extent, but I can see your eyes, and you can see mine, and from doing this for a while, I can attest that the eyes really are the window to the souls. I can also hear the smile in your words behind the mask. I can see your skin flush and the tears flow, mask and all. There's something about the room we're in that feels sacred and protected-- no one to walk in or interrupt. No dogs or kids to distract us with their needs as we delve into fears and concerns. No reason to lower your voice because you're talking from your home computer and describing problems with your spouse while they roam around in the next room. The space is sacred because it's all for YOU in that moment.
You are free to disagree with me. To accuse me of not taking the pandemic seriously. But how good a therapist would I be if I ignore what my heart and spirit, guide me to do? With precautions. Someone has to be willing to offer options for those who are seeking a connection besides those offered online, or for those who don't have reliable wifi connections or who aren't computer savvy.
I may not continue my in-office sessions forever, and I reserve the right to change my mind, especially if the infection rate rises here in Las Cruces. Until then, I'm going to follow my conscience and go into my office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, answer my phone calls and continue my life of service while following a COVID-19 protocol. For those of you who prefer to stay home, I get it. There's much to be said for the safer option, as you will see by reading the Telehealth option below.
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For those who just don't feel ready to meet in a physical space with our staff, we are currently offering telehealth services using our Electronic Health Record with Silicon Mesa. Just call our office to get added to our patient portal and we'll make sure you receive our intake paperwork and any testing that is needed to provide you the highest quality care.
Tell me about Telehealth.Telehealth is a type of healthcare services that uses telecommunications like phones and computers to deliver health outside of the in-person, clinical face-to-face encounter. Telehealth uses videoconferencing, the internet, store-and-forward imaging, streaming media, and terrestrial and wireless communications. In short, you sit in front of your computer screen and so does your therapist. You see each other, speak to one another through the computer microphone or with earbuds that have a microphone. Here's what it looks like:
Don't get me wrong, I am wearing a mask and only seeing a few patients in the office for two days out of the week, but it works for me and for the people who come to see me. Ironically, my decision to go back to the office caught ME by surprise! I like solitude. If you've read any of my books, you know that I feel best when I'm on my own, taking time for reflection without interruption. But this COVID-19 pandemic has taught me that when it comes to treating patients, I need to see you, mask-to-mask, in the same space. I need to see your whole body, the fidgeting, the foot tapping, the nail picking... all of those micro-movements that reflect how you're feeling. Behind a tele-health screen I really can't see much below your neck.
At the office, I wear a mask and wash my hands until they're raw, all out of respect for anyone who comes to visit the office because I know it will lower the chance of spreading infection. Some would argue that our face coverings block us from fully connecting. That's true to an extent, but I can see your eyes, and you can see mine, and from doing this for a while, I can attest that the eyes really are the window to the souls. I can also hear the smile in your words behind the mask. I can see your skin flush and the tears flow, mask and all. There's something about the room we're in that feels sacred and protected-- no one to walk in or interrupt. No dogs or kids to distract us with their needs as we delve into fears and concerns. No reason to lower your voice because you're talking from your home computer and describing problems with your spouse while they roam around in the next room. The space is sacred because it's all for YOU in that moment.
You are free to disagree with me. To accuse me of not taking the pandemic seriously. But how good a therapist would I be if I ignore what my heart and spirit, guide me to do? With precautions. Someone has to be willing to offer options for those who are seeking a connection besides those offered online, or for those who don't have reliable wifi connections or who aren't computer savvy.
I may not continue my in-office sessions forever, and I reserve the right to change my mind, especially if the infection rate rises here in Las Cruces. Until then, I'm going to follow my conscience and go into my office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, answer my phone calls and continue my life of service while following a COVID-19 protocol. For those of you who prefer to stay home, I get it. There's much to be said for the safer option, as you will see by reading the Telehealth option below.
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For those who just don't feel ready to meet in a physical space with our staff, we are currently offering telehealth services using our Electronic Health Record with Silicon Mesa. Just call our office to get added to our patient portal and we'll make sure you receive our intake paperwork and any testing that is needed to provide you the highest quality care.
Tell me about Telehealth.Telehealth is a type of healthcare services that uses telecommunications like phones and computers to deliver health outside of the in-person, clinical face-to-face encounter. Telehealth uses videoconferencing, the internet, store-and-forward imaging, streaming media, and terrestrial and wireless communications. In short, you sit in front of your computer screen and so does your therapist. You see each other, speak to one another through the computer microphone or with earbuds that have a microphone. Here's what it looks like:
You don't see the doctor's cluttered desk. You just see her curious, happy face staring back at you on the computer screen. Hopefully, you have the energy to fix yourself up for the video chat. But I've seen people show up on screen looking like this:
It really doesn't matter if you don't want to get dressed up for a telehealth appointment. That's one of he perks of doing therapy in the convenience of your home. You've probably seen news or comedy shows where someone is chatting on video and they look really chic in a perfect suit jacket only to stand up and show that the bottom half of them is wearing sweat pants or jockey shorts. Again, it doesn't matter as long as what you show on screen is is in good taste. What? You think pajamas are in good taste? I guess it depends on your perspective. And isn't that what therapy is all about? Although, I will admit that if you wear pajamas or a psychological evaluation, it will affect my description of your attire on the mental status exam.
Flexible attire isn't the only perk associated with telehealth. Here are some others:
Benefits of Telehealth/Teletherapy
Flexible attire isn't the only perk associated with telehealth. Here are some others:
Benefits of Telehealth/Teletherapy
- Flexible schedule and convenience: With telehealth you can have secure, two-way communication anytime and anywhere. In fact, as long as you have decent Wifi, you could be camping in the mountains during your session. I've done this before using my telephone hotspot.
- Greater access: Parents who are sheltering in place for the COVID-19 pandemic still get to see their therapist or attend a psychological evaluation without leaving the house or paying a babysitter. Just make sure that you can talk without being watched or interrupted by others in the home.
- Economical: Since you will most likely be at home for your computer for sessions, there is no need to plan for travel time and no need to gas up the car.
- Less risk of contracting COVID-19: By staying home for your appointment, you are reducing your risk of contracting COVID-19 and there's no need to wear a mask for the session since we don't typically wear masks when we are secure at home.
- Insurance will typically pay for sessions: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many insurances are paying for online psychological evaluations and treatment, including medication therapy services, so in all probability you will be able to use your insurance benefits. It is recommended that you check with each individual insurance provider to see what the insurance covers, but we will also conduct a preauthorization to make sure that your insurance will cover your session. Of course, you can also use telehealth services through private pay by using a credit card or other electronic forms of payment.
- Call our office at (575) 323-0341 for a screening interview. We'll make sure that you are an appropriate candidate for our telehealth services. We can even provide psychological testing over the web using our secure site.
- Once we agree that you would benefit from using a telehealth platform, we will ask for your email and schedule a time for your visit.
- Before your scheduled appointment, we will invite you to our Patient Portal by sending you a Username & Password to get on the system.
- Once on our platform, you will be provided with informed consent paperwork and other relevant materials to get you ready for your first appointment.
- Once you are logged into our patient portal, which is called Silicon Mesa, you will see a button at the top of the page that says, "Start Telehealth Visit".
- And that's it! Pretty easy, even for people who aren't used to working on computers. And if you have any trouble, you can call us and we'll walk you through the process so you can feel confident with this new endeavor.
A Note for couples or individuals who would like to use our book in therapy to cope with the early stages of marital separation:
Please have your copy available to use for homework assignments. You can purchase the book by clicking on the picture of the workbook below. Or, if you prefer, you can call 575-323-0341 to request a free audible copy of the book as an adjunct to your therapy.
Please have your copy available to use for homework assignments. You can purchase the book by clicking on the picture of the workbook below. Or, if you prefer, you can call 575-323-0341 to request a free audible copy of the book as an adjunct to your therapy.