Getting Started with Virtual Psychotherapy

What to Expect

You can schedule your appointments through Limestone Therapies as per usual. Please ensure that you select the virtual psychotherapy option when booking. After your first virtual psychotherapy appointment is booked, you will receive a welcome email that will request that you update your password for your online profile through TheraPlatform. It will then prompt you to log in using your email address and the new password that you just set. Once you log in, you’ll see a menu screen where you can navigate TheraPlatform. You will also have access to a consent form and some other documents to review and sign.

Your therapist will initiate communication for your appointment by sending you a link to your listed email address. After clicking the link in your email, you will be redirected to a web page where you can click the button in the top right corner to “join scheduled session”. Please click that button at least five minutes before your scheduled appointment time to ensure that things are working properly. You will be kept in the “waiting room” until your scheduled appointment time, at which point your therapist will start the video-chat.

Following your appointment, payment can be completed by e-transfer to limestonetherapies@gmail.com. Once the payment has been processed, you will have your receipt emailed to you. Please confirm with your insurance company beforehand that video sessions will be reimbursed; if they are not reimbursed, you are responsible for the full payment.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email your therapist at helen.geris@limestonetherapies.com

Preparing for your Session

Privacy: You’ll need a private space where you will be uninterrupted for your virtual sessions. Make sure no one else is in hearing range.

Noise: Ensure that your environment is free from distracting noise. This includes ringing phones, dogs barking, TVs, etc.

Lighting: Choose an area that is well lit. When setting up your computer or phone, make sure there are no light sources shining behind you (i.e. a window, etc.)

Check your Tech: You can use a computer (desktop or laptop), a cell phone or an iPad for your virtual session. 

• You’ll need to ensure that there is a fully functioning camera and microphone.
  
  
• To ensure privacy, it is important to use a secure internet connection rather than public/free Wi-Fi whenever possible.
  
  
• Search “speed test” on google to make sure your connection is up to par. If either your upload or download speed is below 3Mpbs, consider troubleshooting or upgrading your internet connection.

In Case of a Technological Failure

Don’t panic. These things happen! To troubleshoot your technology, try the following:

• Click the blue “Test Setup” button at the top of the webpage to ensure your camera and microphone are working properly.
• Check to see if the internet is being used by other devices or web-pages and stop as many extra programs as possible. This allows more bandwidth for the virtual psychotherapy program to work properly.
• Ensure your equipment is turned on, all wires are properly plugged in, and any batteries are charged.
  
• Double check that your camera/microphone is not being used by another program.
• Try rebooting/refreshing the web page.
  
  
• If the technology is still giving you trouble, email your therapist at helen.geris@limestonetherapies.com as soon as possible. Your therapist may email you back or call you directly to inquire about the session. In either case, you and your therapist can troubleshoot together, arrange to reschedule if necessary, or have a phone session instead.