Outpatient therapy · Telehealth
Statewide Maryland Telehealth Counseling: Secure Online Therapy From Home
Telehealth counseling lets you meet with a licensed Blue Sails provider by secure video from a private place anywhere in Maryland. Blue Sails Counseling and Consulting also offers in-person outpatient therapy at our offices in Bethesda and Lusby. This page explains how online sessions work, how to get ready, what to ask about insurance, and when meeting in person may be a better fit.
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Key takeaways
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Anywhere in Maryland
You can meet by secure video from home, work or another private place, as long as you are in Maryland during the session.
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Licensed providers
Telehealth sessions are with the same licensed Blue Sails providers who see clients in our offices.
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Effective for many concerns
Telehealth is effective for many conditions, and in-person care is also available. Some people switch between the two.
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A plan for safety
Before telehealth starts, your provider confirms where you will be and a backup way to reach you.
What telehealth counseling at Blue Sails looks like
Telehealth counseling is outpatient therapy that happens over a secure video connection instead of in an office. You talk with your provider in real time, the same way you would in person, and sessions follow the same structure, goals and privacy expectations.
Blue Sails offers individual therapy, couples therapy and family therapy by telehealth across Maryland. Medication management and psychiatry are also available, so your prescriber and therapy provider can coordinate your care.
Approaches with research behind them, such as CBT and ACT, can be delivered by video. Your provider will talk with you about which approach fits what you want help with.
Why people choose telehealth
For many people, the biggest difference is time. There is no drive, no parking and no waiting room, which can make it easier to fit therapy around work, school or caregiving. New and expecting parents can read about perinatal and postpartum telehealth counseling in Maryland.
- Less travel. Helpful if you live far from an office or have a long commute.
- Flexible scheduling. A session can fit into a lunch break or after work, as long as you have a private space.
- Consistency. Some people find it easier to keep regular appointments when weather, traffic or a busy week would otherwise get in the way.
- Continuity. If you move within Maryland, you may be able to keep working with the same provider.
Is telehealth the right fit for you?
Telehealth is effective for many conditions, including anxiety and depression, and in-person care is also available. It is not the right fit for everyone or every situation. Your provider will talk with you about fit before telehealth starts and again if your needs change.
Meeting in person at our Bethesda or Lusby office may be a better fit if:
- You do not have a private place where you can talk without being overheard.
- You find it hard to stay focused on a screen.
- Your provider recommends in-person sessions for the kind of care you need, including some children’s and family sessions.
- You are going through a crisis or need more support than weekly outpatient care can offer.
You do not have to choose once and for all. Some people start online and move to the office, or mix both.
Licensing and where you need to be
Blue Sails providers are licensed in Maryland, and telehealth at Blue Sails is offered to people who are physically in Maryland during the session. That is why your provider will confirm where you are at the start of telehealth care.
If you plan to travel, move out of state or attend a session from somewhere outside Maryland, tell your provider ahead of time. Rules about care across state lines can change, so our team will confirm what options are available for your situation.
Insurance and costs for telehealth
Many health plans cover telehealth counseling, but coverage varies by plan, service and provider. Blue Sails accepts many plans, including TRICARE. Our team can help you understand your benefits before care begins.
Questions that can help when you call your plan:
- Is outpatient mental health care covered by telehealth under my plan?
- Is my copay or coinsurance the same for telehealth and in-person visits?
- Do I need a referral or prior authorization?
- Is there a limit on the number of sessions?
Our insurance and costs page explains how billing works. Military families can learn more on our veterans and military families page.
How to get ready for a telehealth session
Create a private space
- Pick a room where you can close the door, or a parked car if home is busy.
- Use headphones if others are nearby.
- Let people at home know you need time without interruptions.
- Keep water, tissues and anything you want to share close by.
Check your technology
- Use a phone, tablet or computer with a camera and microphone.
- Test your internet connection and device before the first session.
- Charge your device or keep it plugged in.
- Use a private network rather than public Wi-Fi when you can.
If the video connection drops, your provider will try to reconnect and may call the backup number you gave. Agree on that plan at your first session so you both know what to expect.
Privacy and your health information
Blue Sails protects your health information under HIPAA and Maryland law, whether you meet in person or online. Telehealth sessions take place by secure video.
Privacy also depends on your side of the call. A closed door, headphones and a device that others do not share all help. If someone else is in the room, your provider will ask who is present before you begin. If you ever want to record anything, ask your provider first.
What to expect at your first telehealth session
Your first session is mostly a conversation. Your provider will ask what brings you in, how things are affecting daily life, and what you hope will change. You can ask questions too.
- Your provider confirms where you are during the session.
- You review consent for telehealth and how your information is protected.
- You agree on a backup phone number and a plan if an emergency happens during a session.
- You talk about goals and how often to meet.
Our new patient guide walks through each step from your first request to your first session, and you can start with the online client intake form.
Telehealth for teens, couples and families
Telehealth can work well for many teens and adults, and for some couples and family sessions. For younger children, in-person sessions are sometimes a better fit, and your provider will talk with you about what makes sense.
Parent or guardian consent depends on a young person’s age and situation, so our team will explain what applies to your family. Learn more about care for children and adolescents and for couples and families.
Planning for emergencies
Telehealth is not an emergency service. Before telehealth starts, your provider confirms where you will be during sessions and a backup way to reach you, and makes a plan for what to do if an emergency happens during a session.
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, contact 911, the nearest ER, or call or text 988. Blue Sails is not an emergency service.
Frequently asked questions
Ask our team about telehealth, insurance and current availability.
Is telehealth counseling as effective as in-person therapy?
Telehealth is effective for many conditions, and in-person care is also available. It is not the right fit for everyone. Your provider can help you decide whether online sessions, office visits or a mix make sense for you.
Can I switch between telehealth and in-person sessions?
Yes. Many people mix both, or move from one to the other as their needs change. In-person sessions are available at our Bethesda and Lusby offices.
Do I have to be in Maryland during a telehealth session?
Yes. Telehealth at Blue Sails is offered to people who are physically in Maryland during the session. If you will be traveling or moving, tell your provider ahead of time so our team can talk with you about options.
Does insurance cover telehealth counseling?
Many health plans cover telehealth counseling, but coverage varies by plan, service and provider. Blue Sails accepts many plans, including TRICARE. Our team can help you understand your benefits before care begins.
What should I do if I am in crisis?
If you are in crisis, call 911, go to the nearest ER, or call or text 988. Blue Sails is not an emergency service. For non-urgent questions, call the office during business hours.
Ask about telehealth counseling
Tell our team what you would like help with and that you prefer telehealth. Blue Sails has offices in Bethesda and Lusby, with telehealth across Maryland.
If you are in crisis, call 911, go to the nearest ER, or call or text 988.