Preparing for Telehealth: What Parents Need to Know

As parents, you’ve no doubt taken your child to dentist appointments, eye doctor appointments, and annual physical exams. These routine visits are similar: arrive at the office, fill out paperwork, wait in the lobby until your name is called. But what about preparing for telehealth?

But what happens when your appointments are virtual? What do parents need to know?

Here at NextStep2MentalHealth, our multidisciplinary team is proud to offer a variety of mental health services through telehealth – and not just for adults. Children and teens can benefit from virtual care.

Below, we share five tips that parents can use to get their children ready for a virtual session.

5 Tips to Remember When Preparing for Telehealth

If your teen already uses video calling apps like FaceTime, Zoom, Google Hangouts, or Skype, then he or she already has a good idea of what a telehealth session is like. For younger children — especially those who don’t use much technology — a virtual appointment can be intimidating. Setting aside the technology, some children may feel a little nervous before an appointment, especially if they’re meeting a new provider for the first time. They may wonder what happens in therapy or what happens during an evaluation.

If your child is scheduled for an upcoming virtual appointment, it’s a good idea to prepare your child ahead of time — especially if it’s their first time experiencing therapy or an evaluation.

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 therapy, coaching, new patient appointments, and more.

When you know what type of service your child is receiving, it’s easier to answer their 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. You may also use the new 24/7 crisis hotline by calling 988 for those in crisis.

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 at 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.

It’s also important that no other children or family members can listen in during your child’s session. It’s important your child has privacy during their call.

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 NextStep2MentalHealth, 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.

Questions about preparing for telehealth? We’re just a call or click away. Give our Louisville, Kentucky mental health clinic a call at 502-907-5908 or request an appointment here. 

Boost Your Mental Health with These At-Home Activities

Whether you’re stuck at home quarantining after a COVID exposure or you’re simply settling in for a weekend at home, it’s always good to have a list of at-home activities that boost your mental health.

In this blog, we’ve curated a list of at-home activities that support your mental wellness.

Reading

Reading provides many benefits.

“Reading can even relax your body by lowering your heart rate and easing the tension in your muscles. A 2009 study at the University of Sussex found that reading can reduce stress by up to 68%.” (NAMI California)

Reading also provides a healthy escape from life’s daily stress. Unwind after a busy day with your favorite story or favorite characters. Reading also boosts empathy and understanding.

Need inspiration: Explore GoodRead’s list of relaxing books

Reading can be particularly helpful for individuals struggling with hard or sensitive issues. According to NAMI California, reading about similar situations can help teens work through tough challenges, including issues with bullying.

While reading your favorite fictional story can help you relax, there is also merit in reading non-fiction books, including those about particular mental health conditions.

Need inspiration: Read the top 13 mental health books of 2022

Gardening

Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you can’t go outside! Spending time outside boosts your mood (and serves up a nice dose of vitamin D), but you can further support mental wellness by gardening. Gardening:

• Boosts your mood
• Boosts your self-esteem
• Improves your attention span
• Provides a good workout (and exercise helps alleviate symptoms of many different mental health conditions)
• Encourages social interaction

Get more gardening tips here.

Music & Family Time

Both listening to music and spending time with friends and family can support mental wellness. So why not combine both of these elements? You can:

• Watch a concert on TV
• Play your favorite music
• Set up an at-home karaoke session
• Play musical chairs (if you have little children at home who would like to play)
• Play music while you make dinner or while you eat
• Write a song to express yourself

Music can reduce your stress and lift your mood.

Movies

Granted, not all movies support mental wellness. That being said, watching certain movies can have a positive effect on your mental health.

Watching a funny movie can make you laugh and laughing releases feel-good endorphins.

But what about sad movies?

Games

Games, especially strategy games, can boost your mood, improve working memory, and support emotional regulation. Playing board games can be a good opportunity to talk and bond with children and teens — especially if they have a hard time opening up.

Getting the Help You Need

Reading, listening to music, reading, spending time with family, and playing games are all good wholesome activities that support your mental wellness, but sometimes you just need more support. Here at NextStep2MentalHealth, our multidisciplinary team provides comprehensive care for anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, and more. Whether you need therapy, coaching, or medication management, we can help you get the comprehensive treatment you need.

To get started, schedule an appointment today.

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