As more and more “shelter in place“ orders are issued across the states, mental health providers start switching in office visits to online sessions. We have more than 10 providers in our clinic and we have tried multiple platforms over the past years. I just want to share a little bit of our experience.

Doxy.me

We have used doxy.me since the beginning of providing telehealth services. Personally I have used the free version since 2017. I like the fact that it has one same link for everyone, and ppl are able to wait in the waiting area while the previous session is still in process. It is HIPPA compliant and easy to use. The only downside is that it starts having some problems with connecting staring 2020, and several times my patients and I are unable to connect and start the session successfully and we had to switch to other platforms last minute or several minutes into the session time. Some of our therapists have experienced similar instability. I am not sure why this happened, but having a back up plan is definitely a good idea. Another problem with doxy.me is that my clients from China had difficulties logging in successfully. Also, the free version cannot handle 3-way video, only one on one. Our back up plan was zoom.

Zoom

I purchased the plan, and it is stable consistently. What I don’t like about it is the setting of the waiting room. If I don’t set it up, ppl can enter the meeting while one previous meeting is not over. If we set the waiting room in the settings, ppl found it confusing and thought something was wrong with the log in, maybe because the waiting room is too simple. It also happened once that I sent out the same link to several patients that I plan to see back to back one day, but someone logged in hours before their session and muted the computer, so I had to switch to other links last minute. Also, as a whole clinic, unless we spend more money, or else, two individuals are unable to have different meetings at the same time using the same account. Zoom can host multi-way meetings and is good for couple therapy is needed.

Google Hangout

I signed BAA with my G Suite account, so I think google hangout is HIPPA compliant within our clinic account. We have used it in our clinic, which can also host multi-way meetings. It is free and easy to use, just need to make sure that you follow the HIPPA guideline for it.

Simple Practice

We eventually switched to Simple Practice video several weeks ago when coronavirus situation gets worse. I switched for the whole clinic for several reasons:

1) Convenience

We are using simple practice as our EHR system already, and having something incorporated into the same system is easier to manage for our clinic. Also, the booked video appointment has a video sign on the calendar, very easy to identify and clear. Regarding the links, each patient will have their unique video link, which will stay the same across different sessions. Patients don’t need to download the app if they use computers, just need to click a link and enter a name to get connected. If they use a phone, they many have to download an app to get started.

2) Price

It is HIPPA compliant and $10 extra for each clinician, which is cheaper than other clinic plans for zoom or doxy.me. I think it is a relatively stable and cheaper option for us, if we want to consider a paid platform.

3) Quality

I had patients commented on the video quality of simple practice over the past when I tried it briefly. Some of my patients are in the technology field, and they found the simple practice video is much more clear with better quality than doxy.me free version.

4) Pros & Cons

It can share screens, which is convinient when I want to discuss a handout with my clients together. However, it does not support 3-way interaction, only one on one. Also, it does not support instant message communications, so no live message chat during the session.

If you want to register simple practice and give it a try, you are welcome to use this link to register and get $50 off.

I hope my experience is helpful to those who are new to telehealth.

Here are some free telehealth courses online:

APA course

PESI course (code: TELEFREE)

Extra tip for running your own practice:

I used to CPA for payroll set up each month which was really inconvenient when I got more therapists. Now we use Gusto in our clinic, which is so convenient, I love it! If you want to try it out, you can use this link to get $200 Amazon gift card to sign up.

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