I began seeing my clients using a HIPPA compliant video platform for one of the health insurances I take a year ago. Most of these clients had problems with depression and/or anxiety related to job stress, finances, and family problems. I thought the sessions would be of lower quality than when I saw my clients in person but I was wrong. When I am seeing someone using my HIPPA compliant video software called Doxy.me, I soon forget that we are not in the same room.
Some of my clients were hesitant to see me using this method but once they tried it, I often never saw them after that in person. They found it so convenient to not have to drive in poor weather or even to take the time to drive to see me. Some people meet with me during their lunch breaks. When they are home they like to introduce me to family members, partners and pets. Some clients live far from a city with therapists who are taking new clients. I have seen people using video who live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, as well as who are working at their jobs in Chicago or Japan.
Initially I hesitated to use my favorite therapeutic technique EMDR during video therapy sessions. It involves eye movement and other bi lateral stimulation such as tapping one’s legs while processing intense emotions. But one day a client was so distressed that I decided to use EMDR. It worked just as well as if the client was sitting in the office with me. We were both happy it worked so well.
Using Doxy.me to see me is so easy. I send you a link to your email that you use from any kind of device you have: smart phone, laptop, desktop or tablet. Here is a link to a short video that shows you how to check into my “waiting room”: here
. Doxy.me works using the browsers Firefox, Safari and Google Chrome. You don’t have to download software to use it.
Another advantage is that family members can participate in the therapy sessions without making time to come in person. Using video therapy allows elderly, disabled and people with serious health problems to attend therapy who otherwise could not attend therapy. Therapy using video also works well for people who are scared to leave their homes or who fear social stigma about seeing a therapist.
A disadvantage to using video therapy is if a client does not arrange to be in a private quiet location during the therapy session. Some clients feel a need to answer questions from family members or are distracted by surrounding sounds that would not take place in a therapist’s office.
When interviewed for the Huffington Post in March 2017, Professor for research in the department of psychology Mary AnnDutton a Georgetown University Medical Center stated, “There are a number of studies looking at telemedicine for different kinds of mental disorders and they tend to be amazingly effective.”
Unfortunately most health insurances in Michigan do not allow me to see their clients over the internet using a video platform The insurances that do allow it are 1) Cigna and 2) Compsych. A few BCBS insurances are paying for telehealth. I am hoping that soon all the health insurances will pay for therapy through video. They have been allowing it for psychiatrists and medical doctors for years. If you would like your health insurance to allow it, it may help if you call your health insurance company to request this option.
If you choose to not use your health insurance and want to see me paying out of pocket, I can see you using my video platform of Doxy.me. There are other software that could be used but for your confidentiality, I would use a protected HIPPA compliant software.
If you are interested in seeing me for therapy, in person or using video, please email me at: suzanneenergy@gmail.com or text/call me at: 586-799-2399.