5 Easy Ways to Prepare Your Child for a Telehealth Visit

Is your child new to telemedicine?

Here at Next Step 2 Mental Health, we are proud to offer a variety of services through telehealth – and not just for adults. Children don’t have to miss their sessions due to social isolation.
If your child is already familiar with apps like FaceTime or Skype, he or she already has a good idea of what a telehealth session is like. Still, the idea of a virtual appointment can be intimidating for some children. If your child is scheduled for an upcoming virtual appointment, it’s a good idea to prepare your child ahead of time.

5 Tips for a Successful Telehealth Session

As your child makes the transition from in-person visits to online sessions, we want to help you make the change as seamless as possible. Before your child’s next virtual appointment, review these tips:

1. Know what type of session your child is having

At Next Step 2 Mental Health, your child can receive a variety of services remotely. This includes:

• New patient diagnosis
• Screenings
• Talk therapy
• CBT
• Coaching
• Education
• Support

When you know what type of service your child is receiving, it’s easier to answer his or her questions.

Reminder: Virtual sessions are only for non-life-threatening visits. If your child is experiencing a mental health emergency, call 9-1-1 or head to the nearest emergency room.

2. Gather important information before the session starts

Before your appointment begins, make sure you have:

• A list of your children’s current medications
• Your child’s medical history, including allergies, weight, and any previous diagnoses
• A list of questions that your child has (if any)
• A list of questions that you have (if any)

Depending on what type of session your child is having, you might want to write down a list of concerning symptoms that you want to address. Be prepared to answer a variety of questions, including how the symptoms have been occurring, when the symptoms are most severe, and any other related details.

3. Find the perfect location

This is one of the most important steps to having a successful telehealth session. The ideal location is quiet, well-lit, and free from distractions. Consider setting up on the dining room table or in a den. The camera should be eye-level for your child.

If you have pets or other children, make sure they are situated elsewhere so you can focus on the session too.

4. Start with an introduction

You might have a telehealth session with a therapist or pediatrician that you’ve seen dozens of times. But if your child is seeing a new provider, you’ll start with introductions. Let your child know ahead of time if he’ll be meeting a new doctor so he can prepare mentally for the meeting. During the meeting, one of our providers will start by sharing his or her name and title. At this time, encourage your child to introduce himself too! After your child introduces himself, you’ll be asked to confirm a few details too. You’ll already have completed a treatment consent form, but you’ll still confirm your child’s name, date of birth, etc.

Tip: If your child is nervous (which is normal!), practice introductions beforehand!

5. Know your next steps

Before your child’s virtual appointment comes to an end, make sure that you understand the provider’s diagnosis, instructions, and/or advice.

Tip: Keep a piece of paper or notepad nearby so you can take notes during the session, if needed. Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification! We want to make sure your session is valuable and helpful.

Questions? We’re Just a Call or Click Away

At NextStep 2 Mental Health, we’re happy to provide comprehensive psychiatric care and therapy for your children. Whether your child has anxiety, depression, or ADHD, we don’t want him or her to miss out on valuable sessions, and we are here to make sure your telehealth experience is successful.

We’re just a call or click away. Give our Louisville, Kentucky mental health clinic a call at 502-907-5908 or send us a message to request more information. Alternatively, you can also request an appointment with our convenient scheduling tool here.