What is Teletherapy?

Research & Clinical Findings:

• Internet-delivered therapy or teletherapy works very well compared to in-office therapy. We see this in our clinical practice and in peer-reviewed published research studies.
• Transitioning to virtual appointments is smooth for most children and families. We always have a backup plan if the technology fails.

Equipment:

• Electronic device: You can use any computer, tablet, or smartphone with video and audio capabilities.
• First intake session with parents only: You won’t need an earbud but may use one if you like. Your regular speaker on your device will be fine.
• Earpiece for parent coaching sessions when a child is present: It is helpful to have a Bluetooth earpiece that can connect to your device or earbuds or standard headphones that can plug into your device to allow for more privacy during your session when we are coaching you while you are working directly with your child.

Software:

• We use a HIPAA-compliant platform integrated into our electronic healthcare record for teletherapy sessions. Our software has end-to-end encryption, which means it is very secure. Our software does not record your session. Unless there is an agreement between the family and therapist, our teletherapy sessions are not stored or recorded in any format.
• We will send you a link to our private, secure telehealth room before the session.
• The platform we use functions best using Google Chrome as your web browser.
• Click here to learn more about preparing for a telehealth session with your therapist or counselor.

PCIT Coaching sessions via Telehealth will have some additional components that others may not have. Forms will be emailed before your session for you to complete and return to us in advance. If we get them in advance, we will review and score to have them inform our session for that day. If we cannot score in advance, we need to do this at the beginning of our session, as if you were in our waiting room. Additionally, we recommend scheduling a separate session to explore how we will use technology to implement PCIT with your family in your situation.

1. We first need to review and score your forms if you did not return them ahead of time or if we could not score them ahead of time.
2. Please set your child up with a toy or someone to be with them so we can do our “check-in” undisturbed for approximately 5-10 minutes.
3. Check-in time
   1. We’ll ask about stressors unrelated to the parent training to understand other factors affecting your family life.
   2. We’ll talk about your Special Play Time (SPT) practice for the past week
4. Coding: We’ll code for 5 minutes while you use the PRIDE skills in the CDI play. The clinician will not be speaking during this time.
5. Coaching: We’ll coach the first parent for approximately 15 minutes (coaching will last longer if only one parent participates.)
6. Coding and Coaching for second parent: Coding and coaching will then be conducted with a second parent for families with two parents/caregivers participating
7. Debrief/check-out: We’ll discuss our session observations and plan what to work on in the coming week.

1. We will provide you with a Telehealth link by email or text message.
2. The link will be for the computer or phone in the play area. This computer or phone should be placed with a clear view of the play area. If you are concerned your child will be bothered or distracted by seeing themselves on the screen, please cover the screen with a paper or book. Make sure the camera is clear of any obstructions.
   1. Pair your Bluetooth headphones with your computer or phone to communicate directly through the Telehealth program without your child being distracted by hearing us. If Bluetooth headphones are unavailable, we can have you turn off the volume on the computer and use regular headphones on your phone, and the clinician will call you to coach you.
   2. Once you enter the Telehealth session, turn on the volume and video.

Preparations if our internet connection drops: We must have a Plan B if our internet Telehealth connection drops or fails for any reason. Your clinician will create a backup plan with you. We must have a way to reach each other if the connection fails.