How to get Online Counseling Initiated?
First Time Online (telehealth) Counseling Users (also use all same forms for new patients coming into the office).
- Send Dr Conti an email “Requesting online counseling” to DrJimConti@gmail.com
- Telehealth New Patients (and new patients for in office counseling) must complete the following four(4) forms and return to Dr. Conti:
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(1)New Patient Information form (1 page)
(2)Informed Consent form (1 page) (3) Informed Consent for Online Counseling form (1 page) (4) HIPAA consent form (1 page) - ALSO SEND A COPY OF YOUR INSURANCE CARD (front and back) AND A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE ID.
- Print then complete the 4 forms, and return to Dr. Conti @drjimconti@gmail.com or by fax to 860-659-4358.
- It is important that you call and confirm with your insurance company that your policy includes coverage for telehealth for mental health counseling sessions and that they will be covered for reimbursement. If they are not reimbursed, you are responsible for full payment. Dr. Conti’s office does not verify with the insurance company if a patient is covered or not.
ONLINE COUNSELING PROCEDURES:
- Open your email account. Locate the email containing the Zoom link sent to you from Dr. Conti. You may use your computer if you have a camera for it or your cell phone (if it has a camera).
- Click on the Zoom link and follow the instructions provided by Zoom to begin your online session. You should begin this process 5 to 10 minutes before your scheduled session. If you are early (or if Dr.Conti is running behind) you will may see that another session is in progress. You will automatically be placed into the electronic waiting room and Dr. Conti will start the session with you shortly thereafter.
- You must have enough time at a location where you are safe, comfortable, and able to speak privately with the doctor.
- Alternatively, Dr. Conti may contact you by email at the start of the session with a different option to begin your face-to-face online therapy e-session if you cannot seem to get Zoom to work (note that other online options may exist and may be offered if your Zoom is not working).
What you need for your Secure Online Counseling Session:
- To be accepted for online therapy by Dr Conti, have an appointment, and all paperwork completed first.
- Either a Home computer or tablet(with a microphone and videocamera), or a smartphone (with a mic and dual cameras).
- Save travel time, and be in a safe comfortable location for your appointment.
- Require either Cellphone service or Internet service.
- Requires an Email address.
Dr. Conti has been providing patients online counseling for over 12 years and is certified as an “e-therapist” to do telehealth, i.e. online counseling/therapy. Online counseling is conducted in the usual manner of counseling sitting face to face (online) with Dr. Conti however it is done through the webcam on your computer or through an app on your cell phone. It is actually a simple process, (All you need is a cell phone or a computer)!
Online therapy is available for individuals and couples. Dr. Conti can help individuals with most any emotional or mental health issue online. However, he will will inform you if online therapy does not seem appropriate for for you as an individual or for a couple.
Online therapy is not appropriate for people who are suicidal. Suicidal people should should call 911 immediately and/or go to their nearest hospital emergency department for immediate help. Psychotic patients are not clinically appropriate for online counseling and should present to a hospital emergency department for evaluation. Couples dealing with domestic violence are not appropriate for online therapy and should seek safety through domestic violence intervention. They may find available resources by calling 211 for information and referral.
Dr. Conti is currently the only fully Certified Gottman Therapist in Hartford County and one of only two fully Certified Gottman Couples Therapists in the entire of State of Connecticut! He is also a Certified Advanced Imago Relationship Therapist and Certified Imago Couples Workshop Presenter. Dr. Conti can work with you on a variety of issues that affect your relationship. To name a few, Dr. Conti works with complex relationship issues and couples in crisis that may be struggling with infidelity, high conflict, addictions, communication problems, lingering issues from childhood and past relationships, separation and post-divorce problems including the challenges of raising children in blended families.
Dr. Conti’s preferred method is to meet using a secure telehealth webcam service called “ZOOM”, a fully encrypted webcam service that is free for you. This webpage will help guide you to use your webcam (ZOOM) application. If you get stuck or are having trouble, Dr. Conti himself (over the phone) can offer some assistance to get you started!
We can work on your counseling issues and concerns from any location while online and thus control your time, privacy and maintain your own level of comfort. For these reasons, online counseling is an efficient, productive, and useful tool for counseling and self-growth.
You can expect to receive expert counseling in a caring, knowledgeable, and compassionate manner. Online counseling with Dr. James Conti provides an emotionally safe place to turn for support, guidance, empathy, and a trusting and professional therapeutic relationship.
