Breakthrough in partnership with CareFirst and Magellan was proud to launch its Maryland telehealth network August 1, 2013. We had barely turned on the lights when Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Helen McKibben, conducted her first appointment with a CareFirst BlueChoice HMO member.

I had the opportunity to speak with Helen about her experience and she was thrilled to get a client so soon! She also shared with me what a nice surprise it was to be able to do the same work with her video client as she would with a face-to-face client.

“I’m a LPC, but I work psychodynamically and neurobiologically. It worked surprisingly well on video even without the patient in the office. I had been a bit nervous about that, but the client was able to easily follow my instructions and stay with me even though we weren’t in the same room.”

Helen also mentioned that her client seemed quite pleased to have been given real resources, tools, and homework and to have been able to meet with her in such a safe and easily accessible way.

When I asked Helen what she thought of the technology, she said, “Well, we had a few hiccups, but a Breakthrough technical support specialist, Theo, was quick to provide assistance and handled everything so professionally. I encourage all of the providers to have the technical support number handy and ready just in case, because they are so great.”

All in all, Helen had a great experience and is absolutely excited to be seeing clients via video. She is particularly thrilled to be able to use the Breakthrough video session room to meet with her current face-to-face clients who might be traveling but still want to conduct a session.

We are excited to have a dynamic provider like Helen in our network and look forward to seeing her and other Breakthrough providers successfully working with clients in Maryland.

If you would like to schedule a session with one of Breakthrough’s providers, just visit us as at www.breakthrough.com.