Foresight Psychology’s e-Clinic offers a range of affordable online therapy and telehealth psychology sessions with our trained and experienced psychologists delivered in a convenient and accessible form. These are conducted via videoconference (similar to Skype, Zoom, Facetime) and by telephone.

We offer both standard 50-minute sessions and brief 25-30 minute sessions via video conference or telephone.

Usually, telehealth sessions are only taken up by those people who can’t make it into our practice for an in-person session due to their health, or due to their location (overseas or out-of-town). More recently, in the time of the COVID-19 crisis more people have opted to take up telehealth sessions due to compulsory or voluntary self-isolation. Some of our clients are even finding that they prefer telehealth sessions to in-person sessions.

Possible benefits of telehealth sessions at Foresight Psychology:

• Psychology sessions in the comfort of your own home = less travel time, less fuss, your own space. For some, this may make attending your sessions more convenient.
• You do not have to live in Sydney to be seeing a Foresight psychologist. A definite benefit of telehealth being taken up is that we can offer support to clients located across NSW, Australia and even internationally.
• Telehealth sessions can be less “intense”. For some people, in-person sessions can be quite difficult and they have reported that doing sessions over telehealth feels a bit more comfortable and they find they can open up a bit more.
• If you are working on changing behaviours at home, you (guided by your psychologist) can start practicing those new skills or habits in your home straight away

Possible challenges of telehealth sessions:

• One big challenge of telehealth is the experience of technical difficulties. If you or your psychologist have difficulty getting connected this might be frustrating. But we always have the telephone as a back-up for any video conference sessions, so long as you have mobile reception and access to somewhere private to talk.
• Some people find it harder to open up over telehealth. While some clients prefer telehealth for opening up to their psychologists, others have told us they find it more challenging to open up in telehealth sessions due to feeling less connected to their psychologist and prefer to continue with in-person sessions instead.
• These sessions are not always eligible for Medicare or Private Health Insurance refunds. Luckily during the COVID-19 crisis the Australian Government has allowed telehealth sessions to be eligible for Medicare rebates, but under usual circumstances telehealth sessions would need to be paid for completely out-of-pocket.

If you need psychological support and can’t make it into our clinic, you can try a telehealth psychology session instead.

Our psychologist Roisin Lynch answers some frequently asked questions raised about Telehealth in our article about COVID-19 and the switch to telehealth sessions.

Coronavirus and Telehealth Psychological Services

The onset of the coronavirus in early 2020 has changed the way psychological services are being delivered both in Australia and globally. Until recently, psychological services have predominantly been delivered face-to-face. An alternative to face-to-face therapy is therapy that is delivered via videoconference (e.g. FaceTime, Zoom) or phone, which is referred to as Telehealth Psychological Services. Although less common, telehealth services are a preferred option for some individuals (particularly those living in rural areas). The recent coronavirus pandemic has resulted in many more people engaging with psychologists via videoconferencing or phone. The aim of this article is to share some of the FAQ our patients have about telehealth.

What equipment will I need?

• You may be required to download specific software, although many platforms (e.g. PowerDiary, Zoom, Doxy.me, etc) only require a browser window. If you are unsure how to do this, your psychologist will be able to assist you with this.
• You will need access to a quiet space where you are unlikely to be interrupted.
• You will need a device with a microphone and speaker (e.g. phone, tablet, or laptop).
• If you wish to videoconference, you will need a device with a camera.
• You will need a reliable broadband connection.

How do I know if my telehealth session is private?

• Registered psychologists practice under a Code of Ethics and recognise the importance of people’s privacy and confidentiality when providing both face-to-face and telehealth psychological services.
• If you are unsure about the physical privacy of your telehealth session, do not hesitate to ask your psychologist about the space they are working in. It can be comforting to have that reassurance from your psychologist that they are working in a private space.
• At Foresight Psychology, we use videoconferencing software that meets industry standards for patient data protection.
• If you would like to find out more information about how you can protect your own privacy when using technology online, The Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department booklet “Protecting Yourself Online: What Everyone Needs to Know” is a useful resource. It can be accessed via: https://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/sites/default/files/Protecting-Yourself-Online-What_Everyone_Needs_to_Know.pdf?acsf_files_redirect

Can I claim Medicare rebates for videoconferencing or phone consultations?

The Department of Health is continually adapting to changing COVID-19 circumstances. The eligibility criteria for claiming Medicare rebates for telehealth sessions is being adjusted in accordance with these changes. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility to claim Medicare rebates for telehealth sessions, please contact us directly and we can provide you with the most up-to-date information.

How will the connection with my psychologist using telehealth compare to face-to-face?

We know from research, and our own clinical experience, that the nature of the therapeutic relationship is paramount in creating the foundations for personal growth and symptom reduction in therapy. Studies have shown that the therapeutic relationship in telehealth psychological services is comparable to face-to-face psychological services. Albeit, we acknowledge the individuality of our clients and appreciate that people will have a preference for telehealth or face-to-face service based on their own experiences. At Foresight Psychology, we welcome feedback on your experience with telehealth psychological services and we will continually make adjustments where possible to better meet our client’s needs.

I am not comfortable seeing my face on the screen during videoconferencing, but I also want to be able to see my psychologist. What can I do?

If you feel uncomfortable about any aspect of videoconferencing or telephone sessions, feel free to raise these concerns with your psychologist so you can work out a plan together to feel safe. Depending on the videoconferencing software used, there may be an option to exclude yourself from your own screen and maintain the connection to the video screen of your psychologist.

If you have any questions about using telehealth psychological services, or feedback, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@foresightpsychology.com