Telehealth at The Arroyos
Can you imagine seeing your psychologist or psychiatrist remotely through your laptop, tablet, or phone from the comfort of your home or another private location? This is now possible using The Arroyo’s new telehealth, or telemedicine, remote services. We offer telepsychology and telepsychiatry to patients who are located anywhere in California.
Telehealth is a flexible, individualized solution that provides increased access to your mental health care. Some of our patients receive their entire treatment remotely, while others mix in-person and telehealth sessions. Still other patients have in-person sessions only and never use our telehealth services.
What Are the Requirements for Telehealth?
To be appropriate for telehealth, you need to be:
- Comfortable using computer technology and software
- Easy for our staff to reach you by telephone
- Able to schedule appointments and log onto your sessions on your own, or with help from a designated support person
- Able to identify local community resources for medical and emergency care
- Medically stable enough to participate in telemedicine
- Able to contract for safety and not require a higher level of care
- Compliant with all medication and other treatment recommendations
- Sober, or willing to address substance use issues in your treatment
- Additional conditions may be required as discussed in your intake assessment and informed consent for telehealth
How Does Telemedicine Work?
Telemedicine is the long-distance delivery of mental health services using telecommunications hardware and specialized, secure electronic information software. As an Arroyos telehealth patient, you undergo an initial screening process and then complete some forms to ensure you are informed about the benefits and limitations of telemedicine. Next, you complete a brief training session with our IT staff, where you install the telehealth software on your hardware and successfully conduct a mock session. Then you’re ready to begin!
What Should I Expect?
While telemedicine is not for everyone, most patients find that it is surprisingly effective. At the beginning of each session, your doctor will identify themselves and their license number and confirm that you are comfortable having a telehealth session. After verifying your identity, location, and privacy of your conversation, your session can begin.
A typical telehealth session is not all that different from an in-person one. You and your doctor will still discuss the same topics, address the same concerns, and set the same goals. Talk with your doctor right away about any discomfort you might experience. You may also find that the remote sessions in the privacy of your own home are more secure and comfortable than you anticipated!
Can My Entire Treatment Be Remote?
Yes. Your entire treatment can be remote. Patients outside of the immediate Los Angeles area sometimes choose distance treatment with The Arroyos because we are a specialty practice offering integrated, multidisciplinary care not available in many communities in California. However, before starting an entirely remote treatment with us, we will want to explore the following topics with you:
- Are there clinicians in your local community that can provide the same quality of care that is available at The Arroyos?
- Do you have adequate local identified medical and emergency resources to support you when we are not available?
- Do you have a personal support person that you will sign a release for us to talk to, with whom we can connect if necessary to coordinate your care?
What About Telehealth Group Therapy?
The Arroyos does offer telehealth group therapy to patients who reside within the state of California. Our groups are limited to no more than six patients and a therapist. The process of online group therapy is slightly different than in-person groups. However, once the group has adapted to interacting through technology, remote group therapy can be very effective. Group therapy is especially helpful to patients who are wanting groups that address specialized topics, or for patients who live remotely and who do not have access to the type of groups that we offer at The Arroyos.