This 10 minute Live Video Intro session is the first session of some Talkspace plans, which providers often use to build rapport, get to know the client, and see if it feels like a good therapeutic fit. In this article, you'll find the following:
- Which plans have a 10-minute Live Video Intro Session?
- How can I check if a client has 10-minute Live Video Intro Session?
- How to Schedule a 10-minute Live Video Intro Session
- State Regulations for Video Intro Sessions
Which plans have a 10-minute Live Video Intro Session?
BH and D2C Plans
Please note that as of April 26, 2022, new Behavioral Health (BH) and Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) plans do not have 10-minute introduction sessions included. Instead, you may plan to utilize their first full Live Session as an initial evaluation.
Clients with these plans who joined Talkspace prior to April 26, 2022 may still have the 10-minute introduction session option if they have not previously redeemed it.
Clients who have redeemed their 10-minute introduction session with a previous provider and who transfer to you will not have the 10-minute credit available.
Self-Pay/Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) clients with Messaging-only plans who reside in the following states will have the 10-minute introduction session included: Arkansas, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, and Ohio. Please see the State Regulations for Video Intro Sessions section below for more details.
EAP Plans
Clients who have EAP plans with Live Sessions will not have the 10-minute introduction session included. Instead, you may plan to utilize their first full Live Session as an initial evaluation.
Clients who have EAP plans with asynchronous messaging will have the 10-minute introduction session available.
Clients who receive EAP benefits through KGA and Continuum will also have 10-minute introduction sessions.
How can I check if a client has 10-minute Live Video Intro Session?
- Navigate to the Case tab in the client room
- Click the Actions section
- Scroll down and click Live session credits.
- If the client has an intro session available, it will be indicated under Live session credits. If the section is empty, or there is no session credit with 10 minute duration, then the client has no intro session.
How to Schedule a 10-minute Live Video Intro Session
- Go to the Live Tab and open the Live session actions section. Click Schedule a live session.
- Select Live Video and click Continue.
- Select the 10 minute introduction session and click Continue.
- Use the calendar function to choose a date and time, then click Continue.
- Click Schedule session. Your client will be notified via email, a message in the room, and a push notification.
State Regulations for Video Intro Sessions
Depending on your state, a Live Intro session may be part of your state-specific regulations. Currently, states with such regulations include Arkansas, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, and Ohio. This means that your clients in these states with Live Sessions included must use one of their Live Sessions as their first session, and your clients in these states without Live Sessions included (i.e. Messaging-only plans) should have the 10-minute Live Video Intro Session as part of their plan.
For each state listed below, you can use a script to inform your clients about the video session requirement. The scripts are located in the PT - Mandatory Script Category.
Regulations apply to Therapists
Arkansas State laws require therapists to establish a professional relationship with a client via a two-way video interaction. As a Talkspace provider, you will be able to satisfy this requirement using our HIPAA-secure video on the platform.
Regulations apply to Therapists
Idaho state laws concerning telehealth include the following requirement:
“If a provider offering telehealth services in his or her practice does not have an established provider-patient relationship with a person seeking such services, the provider shall take appropriate steps to establish a provider-patient relationship by use of two-way audio and visual interaction.”
Source: https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title54/t54ch57/sect54-5705/
As a Talkspace provider, you will be able to satisfy this requirement using our HIPAA-secure video on the platform.
Regulations apply to Psychologists
Louisiana’s Board of Psychologists requires its providers to conduct the process of informed consent at the start of therapy services in real time. As a Talkspace provider, you will be able to satisfy this requirement using our HIPAA-secure video on the platform. Please be advised that you will be required to follow the informed consent process by obtaining a written consent in addition to conducting the brief video session.
Regulations apply to Psychologists
Montana’s Board of Psychologists requires the following when establishing a professional relationship via electronic methods:
"Defined professional relationship" means a relationship in which a licensee or license applicant provides diagnostic, assessment and/or therapeutic services to a client. A defined professional relationship shall be initially established in a context where services are provided:
- in person and face-to-face; or
- transmitted via electronic or related methods. If provided under this subsection, the context must also be:
- two-way;
- interactive
- real-time;
- simultaneous;
- continuous; and
- providing for both audio and visual interaction.
Source: http://www.mtrules.org/gateway/ruleno.asp?RN=24.189.301
As a Talkspace provider, you will be able to satisfy this requirement using our HIPAA-secure video on the platform.
Regulations apply to Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists
Ohio State laws on the standards of practice and professional conduct in regards to the electronic service delivery of therapy services include the following requirement:
“Electronic service delivery shall require an initial face-to-face meeting, which may be via video/audio electronically, to verify the identity of the electronic service delivery client. At that meeting steps shall be taken to address impostor concerns, such as by using passwords to identify the client in future electronic contacts.”
Source: http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/4757-5-13 (Section A(3))
As a Talkspace provider, you will be able to satisfy this requirement using our HIPAA-secure video on the platform.