Teletherapy

Teletherapy can significantly improve access to mental health support for children and parents, teens, and adults.

Teletherapy Option

While many of our providers listed at the office locations are now seeing clients in person, teletherapy will always continue to be an ongoing option for our clients with all therapists. For a list of providers who ONLY provide Teletherapy, click HERE.

All of our clinicians have been trained in our HIPAA-compliant video conferencing platform, allowing us to conduct teletherapy safely and securely.

Where does RRC provide teletherapy?

All of our therapists can provide teletherapy to clients who are physically present in Minnesota. We have two therapists who can also provide teletherapy to clients who are physically present in Florida.

What is teletherapy?

Teleheath, teletherapy, telemedicine, and telepractice are all ways of saying that healthcare services are provided using a HIPAA-Compliant telemedicine platform to meet with clients virtually.

We provide therapy services online through your web browser (Google Chrome works best) or the Google Meet app for your tablet or phone. This allows you to stay in the comfort (and safety) of your own home or office.

Teletherapy also gives access to healthcare to people who may not find the services they need locally, such as those from small towns or rural communities.

What technology do I need?

In order to access teletherapy, you will need the following things:

Internet-connected computer, tablet, or smartphone
Webcam or built-in camera on the device
A comfortable place where you can talk in private without interruptions

What program do you use to see clients?

Private HIPAA-complaint teletherapy sessions are provided in Google Meet through G Suite. Google has developed G Suite to include privacy and security protections to keep data secure, and those protections are of a sufficiently high standard to meet the requirements of the HIPAA Security Rule. Rum River Counseling is a HIPAA covered entity and has a signed business associate agreement (BAA) with Google.

Google Meet allows for interconnectivity between iOS and Android devices, making it accessible on every device. Users can set up a video meeting by simply adding a meeting to their Google Calendar and sharing the meeting link with others. Participants don’t need to have Google accounts to join; all they need is the Google Chrome browser, or if you prefer to do it on your phone or tablet, you can download the Google Meet mobile app for free.

Google Meets

Providers are using Google Meet for telehealth sessions. Our account with Google Meet is HIPAA compliant, secure, and encrypted.

"Google Meet" Instructions

If you use a computer, you will only need to click on the session link.
If you use your cell phone to connect, you will have to: Get the 'Meet' app

In the Play Store (Android) or App Store (Apple® iOS®), download and install the Google Meet app.
Tap the Google Meet app on your device to open it.

How do I join a Google Meet with a link?
Join a video meeting with a meeting link

Open the chat message or email with the meeting link > click the meeting link.
Click Ask to join.
When someone in the meeting gives you access, you'll join it.

Do I need to download Google Meet to join a meeting?
Guests can join from their computer using any modern web browser--no software to install. On mobile devices, they can join from the Google Meet app.

Can anyone join a Google Meet with the link?
You'll need to be signed into a Google Workspace account to create a video meeting. Anyone inside or outside your organization can join with a link.

How do I attend Google Meet on my phone?
Open the Meet app. Tap on 'New meeting' to start a meeting, or tap the Meeting code, and enter a meeting code. G Suite users can type the nickname as well. Tap Join meeting.

How do I join Google Meet on my iPhone?
Anyone with a Google account (personal or Workspace) or anyone using a phone to dial-in to meetings. Everyone including any users not logged into a Google account.
...
Join a video meeting with a meeting code or nickname

Open the Meet app .
Tap Join with code.
Enter meeting code or nickname. on the top right, tap Join.

Does my location matter?

Things Your Therapist Needs to Know:
In order to be able to seek help if needed, your therapist will need to confirm your physical location at the beginning of the session.

Also, because of licensing regulations, you need to be physically located in Minnesota at the time of your session. We have 2 providers who are able to see you if you are physically located in Florida.

Does insurance cover teletherapy?

Most insurance will cover teletherapy. Compared to other states, Minnesota telehealth parity laws place Minnesota in the forefront of the telemedicine industry. Private insurances, Medicaid (MA), and Medicare are required by law to cover these services. Our in-network insurances include MA, Medica, UCare, Cigna, Aetna, PreferredOne, HealthPartners, United Behavioral Health (UBH), UnitedHealthcare (UHC), and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota (BCBS MN). For out-of-state BCBS, please check with your carrier.

How do I know if it is right for me?

For most people, it’s simply a preference of whether you want the ability to meet with your therapist in person, or whether you prefer the convenience of online therapy.

There are some situations when we think our online counseling services aren’t the best option. We’ll talk through this with you. Then, if you are located near our physical offices, we are happy to meet with you in person. If you are located farther away, we will help you find a therapist and services locally to meet your needs.

Do you have more questions about online therapy, or interested in scheduling an appointment? Please fill out the Appointment Registration form & and our Scheduling Coordinators, Lindsey or Julie will assist you!