Telemental Health / Virtual Sessions

 I am legally able to provide telemental health services to my clients in the state of Georgia. I use Google Meets to provide online counseling session.

My version of Google Meets is under Google Workplace with a signed. BAA. Therefore it is a HIPPA compliant platform that offers bi-synchronous video conferencing sessions that comply with the requirements of the Board for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors.

I recommend using headphones for the session for more privacy. I happen to prefer over the ear type headphones as they block out more sound, and I find them more comfortable.

First of all, find a private place in your home to meet with me. I know that can be difficult. If you have children, have them make a sign for you to put on the door and then lock it.

Then, I ask clients to have minimal internet usage – the more bandwidth you have available, the better the streaming experience will be. So get your kids off Netflix LOL. And, close down your other windows and email program.

Finally, please have a phone available. At times, the speech may become garbled, but we can resort to the phone for the verbal portion and still “see” each other over the screen.

If possible, I prefer that you set the laptop (preferable over a smart phone if possible) on a table at face height or a little higher. This way I am able to see more of you, your face, your shoulders, your arms – it gives me more information as to how you are doing since I do use somatic techniques.

If you can, please have a light source in front of you so I can see your face clearly.

If we are attempting a Brainspotting or EMDR session, a laptop will give enough room for me to move my arm from side to side. But if you only have a smart phone, I’ll ask you to put sticky notes behind you. We’ll practice before hand regarding the placement, but that will allow me to point from one note to the other and allow you to follow my pointer gaining the best experience.

I have some additional EMDR tools, so I may ask you to have those prepared, like paper and a pen or marker to “scribble it out.”  

Also, I may ask you to put together a “grounding” basket, things like fabric, smooth rocks, essential oils, fidget toys, things that will help you “ground” yourself if you become dysregulated. In fact, you can use that “grounding” basket at other times when you find you are over-activated.