Kellie Clement is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker working in private practice. She specializes in Individual, Couples and Relationship Therapy in the Greater Salt Lake City area.
About Tele-Therapy
Tele-Therapy With Me
It probably comes as no surprise to you, but COVID-19 has affected the way that I do therapy sessions. Here are a few things you should know:
What is tele-therapy?
Tele-therapy is defined as any type of communication with a client via a third-party platform where counseling is provided virtually, without being in person or face-to-face.
What platform service do you use?
I am using a platform called Doxy.me. I chose it primarily because it is HIPAA compliant, and privacy and confidentiality are the cornerstone of any good therapeutic alliance. I also like it for my clients because even though I must be at a computer, my clients can join from anywhere by smartphone. Once we are established clients, I will send you an invitation to join. Please let me know how you feel about the experience with the software because it’s for you!
Why not use the applications I already have?
Many people ask whether they can use Skype or FaceTime. While these may be relatively secure it isn’t possible for me to obtain a Business Associates Agreement with those entities. A BAA guarantees that my communication with you is encrypted and secure, and Doxy.me offers this. Zoom does have a HIPAA compliant version, but it is designed for large clinics or working groups and is therefore quite expensive for a solo practitioner like me.
Tips for tele-therapy:
If others will be nearby while you are in therapy, ensure that you have adequate privacy prior to session. Psychotherapy is serious work. You do not want to be interrupted.
Turn off notifications on your computer and phone once we are connected.
Bring tissues.
Research indicates that the connection between therapist and client is the primary determinant of therapeutic change. I want to make sure that we connect well over video so in our first session, I’ll share some tricks to make sure that we can look at each other, rather than the camera, when we talk. If it looks off to you, please let me know. Eye contact matters.
Why would I want to do therapy this way?
Tele-therapy sessions have some advantages over in-person psychotherapy. Once we become accustomed to this way of working, it is possible that we’ll hardly notice an appreciable difference in the therapy. As AI improves, the immersive experience of being together will make it feel more and more as if we are together in the same room.
Convenience (no commute, saves time)
Comfort (of home, in your familiar surroundings)
Continuity (we may keep meeting even if I am away from the office/out of state)
Less expensive (no transportation, parking or babysitter costs)
Safer (e.g. medical isolation/quarantine conditions/accessibility issues)
Simpler Scheduling (busy couples can meet me and all three of us can be in different physical places
Why would I not want to do therapy this way?
Tele-therapy is not for everyone. Let’s not meet this way if you have:
Poor internet connection
No private space to meet
Unsafe home life
For some there is simply a higher degree of comfort with meeting in person, so we may decide to postpone our work until we can return to in-person sessions. Please notify me about any concerns you might have.
Can tele-therapy be adapted for couples work?
Most couples work can be adapted to a tele-therapy format. I may need to ask you to be especially receptive and collaborative as we adapt our work to this model. Just as happens in the office, my interventions are only as useful as your willingness to implement them. I may modify, or even pause our work until we can return to an in-person format if I feel I cannot help you tele-therapeutically.
Can we do tele-therapy if I’m suddenly experiencing a crisis?
No. I do not provide 24-hour crisis services. If a life-threatening crisis should occur, contact the UNI crisis hotline (801-587-3000), call 911, or go to a hospital emergency room. As an individual provider who is not in a group practice, I am generally in a therapy session during working hours and am unavailable outside of working hours. If it is likely that you may need crisis support, let’s discuss this so that I can be sure you have the level of care you need. You deserve support that matches your needs.
I live outside of Utah. Can we work across state lines?
Online therapy allows me to provide services to a broader geographic range of clients than in-person services. However, I can provide services only to clients in the state of Utah, where I am licensed.
Can I participate from my office or car?
Yes, so long as your location is safe and private. Should you enter a medical or psychological emergency, I need to know your actual physical location so that I am able to get help to you. Please share the actual physical address (street number/address/city and zip code) or drop me a pin from your cell phone if you’re somewhere different from your usual address. Should you need physical or emotional assistance (e.g. approaching a psychological emergency but not at the threshold of needing to be hospitalized or feeling dizzy but not in need of an ambulance), I would like to be able to contact someone to assist you. There is a place on our agreement where you can provide this to me.
Where will you be during the session, Kellie?
Tele-therapy will be conducted from my office downtown or my home office. If I am traveling the call will be from a private conference room or similar location where I have a secure channel of communication between our devices. I will not provide tele-therapy with you from a coffee shop or other public place.
Thank you for your willingness to consider tele-therapy with me. I am open to any feedback, questions or concerns you might have about working with me in this virtual platform. I look forward to our good work together!