Dr. McVicker is offering teletherapy services using the HIPAA compliant platform as of April 2020.
Teletherapy, also known as Telemental Health, is the practice of therapy that includes the diagnosis, evaluation, consultation, education, intervention, and treatment of behavioral, social, and interpersonal disorders through the assistance of technology. Teletherapy electronic communication can include, but is not limited to, telephone, videoconferencing, email, text, and instant messaging. Dr. McVicker has completed the 26 hour "Certificate Program in TeleMental Health & Digital Ethics" that meets the 15 hour training requirements for licensees in the State of Texas.
Teletherapy services with Dr. McVicker are available to Texas Residents only, and are available to individual adults (18+) and Couples. Dr. McVicker will determine whether or not Teletherapy is an appropriate method of therapy delivery on a case by case basis, and will continue to evaluate the appropriateness of Teletherapy delivery throughout the treatment process. At this time Teletherapy services are only being offered via videoconferencing and telephone.
Risks and Benefits Teletherapy has its own unique risks and benefits in addition to those outlined in the Informed Consent Form. Benefits may include increased access to care for clients that lack reliable transportation, have difficulty accessing providers near them, and/or have medical issues that require them to be home. Teletherapy can also offer more flexibility with scheduling, as time taken to travel to sessions is removed. Risks may include unexpected technological failures during sessions, increased risks to privacy, and lack of the personal face-toface interaction and safe environment that traditional therapy services provide. Additionally, due to the lack of nonverbal communication that occurs in face-to-face sessions, Teletherapy may be slower to progress and/or less effective overall. Research results for Teletherapy are promising; however, more information is still needed to examine the effectiveness of Teletherapy as technology evolves.
Necessity of In-Person Evaluation If possible, it is strongly recommended that the initial session be done face to face so the appropriateness of teletherapy can be evaluated. If found to be helpful, Dr. McVicker will provide information on how to use the appropriate technology and review best practices to ensure that sessions run smoothly.
Fees and Insurance Dr. McVicker is not an in-network provider for any insurance companies. Depending upon your particular policy you may or may not have coverage for Teletherapy. It is the client’s responsibility to contact their insurance company to verify coverage. Dr. McVicker's private pay rate is $175 for a normal 50-55 minute psychotherapy session. A Pre-Authorized Billing Agreement form will be kept on file for active clients to allow for efficient and timely billing. Clients who wish to pay for sessions via cash or check instead of credit card may make a payment in person at the office prior to the scheduled session or mail payment to the office address. Failure to cancel or reschedule an appointment with less than 24 hours notice will result in being charged the full fee for the appointment.
Emergencies Teletherapy sessions are available by appointment only. Dr. McVicker is unable to provide emergency teletherapy services. Should an emergency arise you may go to the nearest emergency room, call 911 for emergency assistance, or contact the Crisis Stabilization Unit of the Center for Health Care Services at 225-5481 (M-F, 8 a.m -5 p.m.), after-hours emergency, call 531-7826. You may also call the United Way HELP Hotline by dialing 227-4357 (HELP). Given that therapy is not being conducted face to face, all teletherapy clients are required to have an emergency contact on file.
Teletherapy, also known as Telemental Health, is the practice of therapy that includes the diagnosis, evaluation, consultation, education, intervention, and treatment of behavioral, social, and interpersonal disorders through the assistance of technology. Teletherapy electronic communication can include, but is not limited to, telephone, videoconferencing, email, text, and instant messaging. Dr. McVicker has completed the 26 hour "Certificate Program in TeleMental Health & Digital Ethics" that meets the 15 hour training requirements for licensees in the State of Texas.
Teletherapy services with Dr. McVicker are available to Texas Residents only, and are available to individual adults (18+) and Couples. Dr. McVicker will determine whether or not Teletherapy is an appropriate method of therapy delivery on a case by case basis, and will continue to evaluate the appropriateness of Teletherapy delivery throughout the treatment process. At this time Teletherapy services are only being offered via videoconferencing and telephone.
Risks and Benefits Teletherapy has its own unique risks and benefits in addition to those outlined in the Informed Consent Form. Benefits may include increased access to care for clients that lack reliable transportation, have difficulty accessing providers near them, and/or have medical issues that require them to be home. Teletherapy can also offer more flexibility with scheduling, as time taken to travel to sessions is removed. Risks may include unexpected technological failures during sessions, increased risks to privacy, and lack of the personal face-toface interaction and safe environment that traditional therapy services provide. Additionally, due to the lack of nonverbal communication that occurs in face-to-face sessions, Teletherapy may be slower to progress and/or less effective overall. Research results for Teletherapy are promising; however, more information is still needed to examine the effectiveness of Teletherapy as technology evolves.
Necessity of In-Person Evaluation If possible, it is strongly recommended that the initial session be done face to face so the appropriateness of teletherapy can be evaluated. If found to be helpful, Dr. McVicker will provide information on how to use the appropriate technology and review best practices to ensure that sessions run smoothly.
Fees and Insurance Dr. McVicker is not an in-network provider for any insurance companies. Depending upon your particular policy you may or may not have coverage for Teletherapy. It is the client’s responsibility to contact their insurance company to verify coverage. Dr. McVicker's private pay rate is $175 for a normal 50-55 minute psychotherapy session. A Pre-Authorized Billing Agreement form will be kept on file for active clients to allow for efficient and timely billing. Clients who wish to pay for sessions via cash or check instead of credit card may make a payment in person at the office prior to the scheduled session or mail payment to the office address. Failure to cancel or reschedule an appointment with less than 24 hours notice will result in being charged the full fee for the appointment.
Emergencies Teletherapy sessions are available by appointment only. Dr. McVicker is unable to provide emergency teletherapy services. Should an emergency arise you may go to the nearest emergency room, call 911 for emergency assistance, or contact the Crisis Stabilization Unit of the Center for Health Care Services at 225-5481 (M-F, 8 a.m -5 p.m.), after-hours emergency, call 531-7826. You may also call the United Way HELP Hotline by dialing 227-4357 (HELP). Given that therapy is not being conducted face to face, all teletherapy clients are required to have an emergency contact on file.