Telemental Health: Convenient, Virtual Counseling

• Do you have a busy schedule with little time for a congested commute?
• Are you feeling under the weather or have a family member sick at home?
• Do you have limited mobility due to a disability or mental health condition (ex. social or driving anxiety)? 
• Are you a new parent, or a caregiver that cannot readily leave the house? 
• Are you away for business, school, or life abroad, but want to continue therapy with your Orenstein Solutions provider?*

There are a multitude of situations that make telemental health services a great option for you or your family. Thanks to modern technology, our licensed psychologists can now meet with you for virtual mental health services via video-conferencing. 

How does telemental health work? 

You’ll meet with your provider at an agreed upon time in a secure, web-based meeting room. It’s a lot like FaceTime or Skype, but the service is provided by our HIPAA-compliant practice management software, Simple Practice. 

What you need:

1. A computer or smart device with an integrated or external webcam and microphone.
2. A high-speed (at least 10 mbps), secure internet connection. 
3. A private, quiet space. This could be your living room, your office, or anywhere that’s comfortable to you.  

Steps to Start a Session:

1. You’ll receive an email from us containing a link to the secure web-based meeting room. There is no need to download software or create a username/password. However, you are welcome log in to your Simple Practice patient portal to access the meeting room there. 
2. You provider will initiate the session at the agreed upon time which will activate his or her webcam and microphone. 
3. Click your unique link to enter the virtual meeting room and grant your computer or device access to your camera and microphone. This will allow your provider to see and hear you.
4. Participate in your therapy session. 

How Can I Get Started with Telemental Health?

If you are already an established client with Orenstein Solutions, simply request that your next session be virtual through telehealth. We will send you two documents through your patient portal: An information page outlining telehealth, and a consent to telehealth services. Once signed, you’re ready for virtual services. 

If you are interested in becoming a new telemental health client, please contact us to set up a free, 30-min phone consultation with one of our providers. This brief meeting will help us ensure that the provider, and virtual care best suit your needs. If we determine that telemental health is a good fit for you or your family, we’ll set you up in our practice management system, schedule your first virtual appointment, and send you online intake forms to sign electronically.  

What is the cost of Telemental Health services?

The cost of a telemental health session is the same as a regular, in-office session. Please refer to the Consent to Psychotherapy form you signed upon intake for your provider’s specific fee schedule. A copy of that document can be located in your Simple Practice patient portal. 

Keep in mind that while you are not in the same physical location as your provider, their experience, expertise, and therapeutic approach is communicable without contact. 

It’s important to note that the providers at Orenstein Solutions do not accept insurance. Our clients can submit receipts of sessions to their insurance company and may receive some reimbursement for services, depending on their plan. Please see our Insurance 101 document for guidance on understanding your insurance benefits. Keep in mind that telehealth services may have different reimbursement rules than in-person sessions. When discussing the services you intend to receive with an insurance represtative, be sure to mention the telehealth indicator (“-95”). 

Are there any limitations to Telemental Health?

Due to licensing board requirements, our North Carolina licensed providers can only engage in telemental health therapy with North Carolina residents. If you do not have a North Carolina address, please visit onlinecounselling.com, for a directory of counselors in your state offering online services.