Telehealth Services
Hood Counseling Services, PLLC is a telehealth-only mental health counseling practice licensed in Washington state and able to provide a range of interventions & services to residents of Washington and Florida. For Florida residents, please see http://www.flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/
Telehealth Q & A
How does telehealth work?
The day of your scheduled appointment, you will receive an email with a unique link. This will bring you to the HIPAA compliant telehealth platform. Your appointment can be accessed via your phone, tablet, or computer. You will need to allow the telehealth platform permission to use the camera and microphone on the device.
Is telehealth private?
Your counselor will be in a private, secure room during the telehealth appointment. The laws of confidentiality remain the same in counseling work done in person and via telehealth. However, if you are not in a private area while engaging with your counselor, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Try to be in a comfortable, private place during the call with your counselor. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings during online counseling sessions and limit distractions as much as possible.
All Hood Counseling Services, PLLC clinicians are compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) laws, the legislation that ensures client data privacy.
Is telehealth therapy as effective as face-to-face therapy?
Many wonder if they will feel connected to their counselor in the ways experienced in person. While we saw an increase due to Covid-19, telehealth has been used for decades to provide services to those in need. Research supports the use of telehealth and has found it to be just as effective as counseling provided in person. You may be surprised to see how comfortable you feel during telehealth counseling, and you may be one of the many who prefers telehealth over in person counseling. Here are some reasons why others have preferred telehealth:
Does insurance cover telehealth?
Due to Covid-19, many insurances have expanded their coverage of telehealth. Washington state passed a law requiring insurances here to cover telehealth the same as in person as far as coverage. If wanting to use insurance, we will work together to verify your out of network insurance plan coverage.
When telehealth is not appropriate:
Telehealth is not appropriate for emergencies, such as instances of immediate self harm or harm to others. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911, the crisis line at 1-888-910-0416, national suicide line at 988, or visit the nearest emergency room.
The day of your scheduled appointment, you will receive an email with a unique link. This will bring you to the HIPAA compliant telehealth platform. Your appointment can be accessed via your phone, tablet, or computer. You will need to allow the telehealth platform permission to use the camera and microphone on the device.
Is telehealth private?
Your counselor will be in a private, secure room during the telehealth appointment. The laws of confidentiality remain the same in counseling work done in person and via telehealth. However, if you are not in a private area while engaging with your counselor, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Try to be in a comfortable, private place during the call with your counselor. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings during online counseling sessions and limit distractions as much as possible.
All Hood Counseling Services, PLLC clinicians are compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) laws, the legislation that ensures client data privacy.
Is telehealth therapy as effective as face-to-face therapy?
Many wonder if they will feel connected to their counselor in the ways experienced in person. While we saw an increase due to Covid-19, telehealth has been used for decades to provide services to those in need. Research supports the use of telehealth and has found it to be just as effective as counseling provided in person. You may be surprised to see how comfortable you feel during telehealth counseling, and you may be one of the many who prefers telehealth over in person counseling. Here are some reasons why others have preferred telehealth:
- Accessibility: those with disabilities, transportation barriers, and demanding schedules find telehealth more accessible.
- Flexibility: your sessions can be within the bounds of your schedule, allowing you to navigate your work hours, children's naps and bedtime, and other situations that demand your time.
- Comfort and Safety: you can avoid a commute, access services with even more privacy, and some find it easier to share from their own home
Does insurance cover telehealth?
Due to Covid-19, many insurances have expanded their coverage of telehealth. Washington state passed a law requiring insurances here to cover telehealth the same as in person as far as coverage. If wanting to use insurance, we will work together to verify your out of network insurance plan coverage.
When telehealth is not appropriate:
Telehealth is not appropriate for emergencies, such as instances of immediate self harm or harm to others. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911, the crisis line at 1-888-910-0416, national suicide line at 988, or visit the nearest emergency room.
Ready to try telehealth?
Submit a request on the Contact page, call (360) 797-3509, or email lhoodlmhc@gmail.com.
Submit a request on the Contact page, call (360) 797-3509, or email lhoodlmhc@gmail.com.