Tele-Mental Health

We offer online meetings for mental health services

“Tele-Mental Health” means, in short, provision of mental health services with Stephen J. Terrell and recipient of services being in separate locations, and the services being delivered over electronic media.  Services delivered via Tele-Mental Health rely on a number of electronic, often Internet-based, technology tools. These tools can include videoconferencing software, email, text messaging, virtual environments, specialized mobile health (“mHealth”) apps, and others. Stephen J. Terrell typically provides Tele-Mental Health services using the following tools:

https://zoom.us/j/5122060260

Meeting ID: 512 206 0260

U.S. based clients not residing in Texas will need to work with me in a consultant capacity until licensure laws among the states catch up with technology. 

Insurance, both in- and out-of-network cannot be billed if you are in a state other than Texas. As a consultant, I am a little more collaborative and directive than in a traditional counseling role. Our work will be less directed by diagnosis of a mental health issue and more about what you want to see different in your life. The difference is subtle but it keeps things within the current rules.

Outside of the U.S., regulations are much more flexible. I’ll need to know which country you are in to verify the rules but it is often the case that working with a U.S. based counselor will be permitted. 

How Does Distance Counseling Work?

The best way is to complete the form at the bottom of this page explaining that you are interested in Tele-Mental Health and my assistant or myself will be in touch to ask a few more questions.  

Ideally, make sure you have access to the internet and we will send you a link to connect with Stephen J. Terrell online.  It is best if you are in a private area without distractions during the meeting.  If you can not be in a private area, I recommend using a headset to protect part of the conversation. During the session, please turn off the alerts on your computer and any music or television playing in the background.

I typically set appointments for 45 minutes although I have some clients who prefer more or less. We can decide this together during the intake session.  All 45-minute sessions are billed at $200 USD and payments are preferred ACH.  

What Are the Benefits and Risks of Online Meetings?

Potential Benefits: Services via Tele-Mental Health allows you to: Receive services at times or in places where the service may not otherwise be available. Receive services in a fashion that may be more convenient and less prone to delays than in-person meetings. Receive services when you are unable to travel to the service provider’s office.

Potential Risks: services via Tele-Mental Health has the following risks: Tele-Mental Health services can be impacted by technical failures, may introduce risks to your privacy, and may reduce your service provider’s ability to directly intervene in crises or emergencies. 

Here is a non-exhaustive list of examples: Internet connections and cloud services could cease working or become too unstable to use Cloud-based service personnel, IT assistants, and malicious actors (“hackers”) may have the ability to access your private information that is transmitted or stored in the process of Tele-Mental Health-based service delivery. Computer or smartphone hardware can have sudden failures or run out of power, or local power services can go out. Interruptions may disrupt services at important moments, and your provider may be unable to reach you quickly or using the most effective tools. Your provider may also be unable to help you in-person. There may be additional benefits and risks to Tele-Mental Health services that arise from the lack of in-person contact or presence, the distance between you and your provider at the time of service, and the technological tools used to deliver services. Your provider will assess these potential benefits and risks, sometimes in collaboration with you, as your relationship progresses.

Assessing Tele-Mental Health’s fit for you?

Although it is well validated by research, service delivery via Tele-Mental Health is not a good fit for every person. Stephen J. Terrell will continuously assess if working via Tele-Mental health is appropriate for your case. If it is not appropriate, your provider will help you find in-person providers with whom to continue services. Please talk to Stephen J. Terrell if you find the Tele-Mental Health media so difficult to use that it distracts from the services being provided, if the medium causes trouble focusing on your services, or if there are any other reasons why the Tele-Mental Health medium seems to be causing problems in receiving services. 

Raising your questions or concerns will not, by itself, result in termination of services. Bringing your concerns to Stephen J. Terrell is often a part of the process. 

You also have a right to stop receiving services by Tele-Mental Health at any time without prejudice. If Stephen J. Terrell also provides services in-person and you are reasonably able to access Stephen J. Terrell’s in-person services, you will not be prevented from accessing those services if you choose to stop using Tele-Mental Health.

Our Communication Plan:

At our first session, we will develop a plan for backup communications in case of any technology failures and a plan for responding to emergencies and mental health crises. 

In addition to those plans, Stephen J. Terrell has the following policies regarding communications: The best way to contact Stephen J. Terrell between sessions is through telephone or email (512-206-0260 or steve@austinattach.com) Stephen J. Terrell or his assistant will respond to your messages. Please note that Stephen J. Terrell may not respond at all on weekends or holidays.

Our work is done primarily during our appointed sessions, which will generally occur during normal business hours. 

Contact between sessions should be limited to: Confirming or changing appointment times or billing questions. Stephen J. Terrell is located in the Central Standard Time zone. Please note the time difference from your own time zone. 

Please note that all textual messages you exchange with your provider, e.g. emails and text messages, will become a part of your record. Stephen J. Terrell may coordinate care with one or more of your other providers. Stephen J. Terrell will use reasonable care to ensure that those communications are secure and that they safeguard your privacy. 

Our Safety and Emergency Plan As a recipient of Tele-Mental Health-based services, you will need to participate in ensuring your safety during mental health crises, medical emergencies, and sessions that you have with Stephen J. Terrell. Stephen J. Terrell will require you to designate an emergency contact. You will need to provide permission for Stephen J. Terrell to communicate with this person about your care during emergencies. 

Stephen J. Terrell will also develop a plan with you on what to do during mental health crises and emergencies, and a plan for how to keep your space safe during sessions. It is important that you engage with Stephen J. Terrell in the creation of these plans and that you follow them when you need to.

Your Security and Privacy 

Except where otherwise noted, Stephen J. Terrell employs software and hardware tools that adhere to security best practices and applicable legal standards for the purposes of protecting your privacy and ensuring that records of your care services are not lost or damaged. 

As with all things in Tele-Mental Health, however, you also have a role to play in maintaining your security. Please use reasonable security protocols to protect the privacy of your own health care information. 

For example: when communicating with Stephen J. Terrell, use devices and service accounts that are protected by unique passwords that only you know. 

Also, use the secure tools that Stephen J. Terrell has supplied for communications. 

Recordings 

Please do not record video or audio sessions without Stephen J. Terrell’s consent. 

Making recordings can quickly and easily compromise your privacy, and should be done so with great care. Stephen J. Terrell only records meetings that are used for educational purposes such as consultations with professionals.

By completing the request below, you are acknowledging that you have read the above information and are in agreement.

Info:

Stephen J. Terrell
512-206-0260
steve@austinattach.com

Please Submit for Tele-Mental Health Services

Fill out the form below or call us at (512) 206-0260 to request an online meeting for Tele-Mental Health.

Tele-Mental Health Contact Form

Please note that Stephen Terrell no longer accepts Texas Medicaid or any other form of insurance for services. There are, however, two other therapists in the office who accept Texas Medicaid and other insurances.