We use a HIPAA compliant Electronic Health Record (EHR) specifically designed for therapists called Simple Practice. This platform offers a secure video option for Telehealth sessions and it’s very user friendly. You will be emailed a passwordless link before your session. This link can be accessed via smartphone, laptop/computer, or tablet. If you plan on using a smartphone or tablet you will need to download the "Telehealth by Simple Practice" app from the IOS App Store or Google Play Store. If you're using a laptop/computer, Google Chrome works best.
Once we schedule your initial appointment, the Simple Practice EHR allows for a paperless intake process. You will receive an email with a link to your personal/confidential secure portal. When you log in, you will find consent documents that can be signed with a click, a few multiple choice/short answer questionnaires, as well as a space for demographic and payment information.
Each therapy session is unique to the individual. Typically, the first session is information gathering. Discussing your social experiences growing up, current life events, history relevant to the issue, current thoughts and beliefs, as well as your wants, needs, and expectations. Treatment is a collaborative process and it’s important that we work together toward the results you want to see. Goals are established in the first or second session and are workable every session thereafter. Most sessions will include dialogue pertaining to progress between sessions, thoughts feelings and beliefs surrounding the issue, as well as actions moving forward. Therapy can be short term for a specific issue, or more long term to tackle more difficult patterns of behavior and for longstanding personal development.
Healthcare practitioners have a duty to keep personal medical information confidential, maintaining compliance with HIPAA regulations. Therapists operate under the same guidelines as doctors. The exceptions to this rule are: a person verbalizing an intent to harm themselves or someone else in the future, reported child abuse and elder abuse. In these situations a therapist becomes a mandated reporter. Outside of mandated reporting, a therapist will only release information in the client voluntarily signs a release to give information to a third party. Any information about past experiences are kept strictly confidential. At Kona, medical records are kept using an Electronic Health Record (EHR) specifically for therapists called Simple Practice. This EHR uses technology compliant with federal and state guidelines.
Insurance and cash payments are accepted. Kona accepts all major insurance carriers in Arizona.
A typical session is 45-60 minutes. At the beginning of therapy, people attend treatment once a week, and as they progress that number decreases. The length of treatment depends on the issue and the needs of the person.
Everyone goes through challenging times. It takes self-awareness and courage to reach out and seek help when things aren’t going your way. Therapy can provide life long benefits giving you the tools you need to take on and overcome any challenge you may face. Showing up for yourself is admirable and takes courage.
Depending on the medication and the presenting issue, medications could be helpful or a hinderance. Disclosing all current medications is important to the therapeutic process and the progress someone will make during their counseling sessions. Therapists can be knowledgable about medications and the interaction with therapy, however they cannot prescribe pharmaceuticals. Referrals to psychiatrists can be given.
Just like your first visit to the doctors office, there’s initial paperwork to fill out. For convenience, all required documents will be sent to your personal confidential portal once your initial appointment is scheduled. It’s highly recommended you complete these prior to your session. Other ways to prepare include: think about what you want from therapy, write down things you would like to discuss, make notes of any medications that you are on, give yourself permission to be nervous (it’s okay, it happens to everyone), keep an open mind, be ready to be open and honest, and contemplate applying new thoughts/skills between sessions.
Have you ever noticed that being solely focused on an outcome sometimes makes the task seem harder or take longer? You will experience joyful and painful emotions in therapy. Just like you’ll encounter internal judgement as well as acceptance and a feeling of peace. You’ll likely experience a full range of emotions and learn how to observe, interpret, and react them. All of this is healthy and necessary for growth. Lasting growth does take time and persistence, so give yourself permission to have these experiences and you’ll be on your way to achieving the outcome you want.The length of treatment depends on the nature of the problem, the severity of the problem, and the goals selected. For example, issues such as mild stress, adjustment problems, or help making a life decision will require fewer sessions than chronic depression/anxiety, trauma, personality issues, substance use, and ongoing stress. Desired goals will affect the length of treatment as well. Goals can range from “to feel well enough to manage on my own” to “completely changing the way I handle life, including how I make decisions, set goals, and relate to people.”
