Telehealth Counseling

Darrell believes most people do their best counseling work in person – especially kids, teens, and families. Face-to-face sessions usually make it easier to build trust, read body language, and stay focused.

That said, life happens. Illness, short-term health concerns, or a temporary situation may make it hard to get to the office. In those limited cases, telehealth (online counseling) can be a helpful backup option for established clients.

This page explains when telehealth is available, who it’s for, and what you can expect.

Darrell’s Approach to Telehealth

Darrell’s primary approach is in-person counseling in his Enid, OK office. Telehealth is:

  • Not a replacement for ongoing in-person care

  • Not available for first-time clients or initial intakes

  • Only offered to established clients on a case-by-case basis

Telehealth may be considered when:

  • You are an established client and

  • You are temporarily unable to come in due to a health concern (for example, you’re sick, recovering from a procedure, or caring for a sick child), short-term travel, or another one-off situation

  • Telehealth is clinically appropriate for what you’re working on

  • A private, confidential space is available on both sides

If telehealth is not a good fit for your situation, Darrell will talk with you about other options, such as rescheduling.

When Telehealth Is Not Available

To protect the quality of care, telehealth will not be used when:

  • You are not yet an established client (no intake completed)

  • A private and quiet space cannot be guaranteed (for you or for Darrell)

  • You are driving, in a car, or in a public place

  • The concern is urgent, crisis-level, or an emergency

  • You are located outside the state of Oklahoma at the time of the session (due to licensing laws)

On severe weather days, telehealth is usually not offered, because Darrell’s family is also at home and he cannot guarantee a fully private environment. In rare cases where a confidential space is available, you may be offered a telehealth option, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

Who Telehealth Is For

Telehealth may be considered for:

  • Adults who are already established clients

  • Teens, when:

    • They are established clients

    • They can be in a private, quiet space (not just a bedroom with siblings walking in and out)

    • Telehealth is still clinically appropriate for their needs

  • Parents of child clients, for occasional parent-only check-ins when an in-person visit isn’t possible

Telehealth is less ideal for younger children, because play, movement, and in-room interaction are a big part of the work. In most cases, Darrell will recommend in-person sessions for kids.

How to Request a Telehealth Session

If you are an established client and believe telehealth may be appropriate for an upcoming session:

  1. Send a message through the Simple Practice client portal as soon as possible

    • Briefly explain why you’re requesting telehealth (for example, “I’ve tested positive for COVID but feel well enough to meet,” or “I’m home with a sick child.”)

  2. Darrell reviews your request

    • He considers whether telehealth is clinically appropriate and whether he can provide a private, confidential space for that time.

  3. You receive a confirmation and link

    • If approved, you’ll receive a telehealth link and any instructions through SimplePractice.

    • If telehealth is not appropriate or available, Darrell will ask you to reschedule instead.

Telehealth is always at Darrell’s discretion and is not guaranteed for any given appointment.

What You Need for a Telehealth Session

To make telehealth helpful and safe, you’ll need:

  • A quiet, private space where you won’t be overheard

  • A stable internet connection

  • A smartphone, tablet, or computer with camera and microphone

  • Headphones, if possible, to increase privacy

  • A commitment to stay in one place (no driving, shopping, or multitasking during the session)

If privacy cannot be reasonably maintained, telehealth may not be appropriate and the session may need to be rescheduled.

Privacy, Confidentiality, and Safety

Telehealth sessions are provided through Simple Practice’s secure video platform, which is designed for healthcare use.

Darrell follows the same standards for:

  • Confidentiality

  • Record keeping

  • Mandatory reporting and safety

that he uses for in-person sessions.

Telehealth does not replace emergency care. If you are in crisis or in immediate danger:

Telehealth sessions should never be used as a crisis line or emergency service.

Telehealth, Payment, and Insurance

Telehealth sessions are handled just like in-person sessions, which keeps things simple and predictable.

  • Darrell uses a straightforward private pay model rather than billing insurance. That means decisions about your care stay between you and Darrell, not an insurance company’s rules or authorizations.

  • After each session, you’ll receive an invoice shortly afterward, and payment is expected before your next scheduled session. This keeps your balance clear and avoids surprise bills piling up over time.

  • Many clients use HSA or FSA funds to pay for telehealth sessions, just as they do for in-person sessions, which can significantly lower the real out-of-pocket cost.

  • If you’d like to use your out-of-network benefits, Darrell can provide a superbill for qualifying telehealth sessions so you can submit a claim to your insurance and potentially receive reimbursement.

For a clear overview of how private pay works, how superbills fit in, and how to check your out-of-network benefits, visit the Insurance and Superbills page on this site.

Is Telehealth Right for You (or Your Teen)?

Telehealth can be a helpful option sometimes, especially when:

  • You’re temporarily unable to come in due to illness or a short-term situation

  • You’re already an established client and want to maintain continuity

  • You can create a private, focused environment for the session

Telehealth is not meant to replace in-person counseling and is not offered as a full-time online therapy option. Darrell’s priority is to provide counseling in the format that best supports real, long-term change – and for most people, that’s in the room, face to face.

If you’re an established client and think telehealth might be appropriate for a specific situation, you can send a message through Simple Practice and Darrell will let you know what’s possible for that session.