Telehealth Therapy at Lee Carlson Center: How It Works
Lee Carlson Center offers telehealth therapy to clients anywhere in Minnesota. You meet with your licensed therapist by video from your phone, tablet, or computer. There’s no drive and no waiting room. Telehealth makes up about half of all our sessions, and it’s covered by insurance the same way an office visit is.
Why choose telehealth?
- Private and convenient. Meet with your therapist from home, on your schedule. It’s a good fit if you live in a smaller community and would rather not run into someone you know at the clinic.
- Available statewide. Wherever you live in Minnesota, you can work with our team.
- Same care, same coverage. You get the same therapists and the same insurance coverage as an in-person visit. We work with most major plans, Medical Assistance (Medicaid), and Medicare, with a sliding fee scale for those who qualify.
- Flexible. Evening appointments are available Monday through Thursday, and many clients mix telehealth with in-person visits at our Fridley clinic.
New clients are often seen within the same week.
6 tips for a great online session
- Find a quiet, private space. If you’d like extra privacy, run a white noise app on a phone or speaker outside the room.
- Wear headphones. They make it easier to hear and be heard.
- Check your internet. A strong Wi-Fi signal or an Ethernet cable works best.
- Close programs you’re not using. It helps your connection run smoothly.
- Update your web browser to the latest version.
- Light your face. Put a lamp or window in front of you so your therapist can see you clearly.
How to join your telehealth session
We use Microsoft Teams for video sessions. It’s similar to FaceTime, and you don’t need to create an account.
Before your session
Watch for your email invitation. Once your appointment is scheduled, you’ll get an email invite for your (or your child’s) appointment time. Reply “Yes” to RSVP. Can’t find it? Check your junk or spam folder.
At your appointment time
- Click the link in your email. It will take you to the Teams app or website.
- Choose how you’re joining.
- On a phone or tablet: download Microsoft Teams from your app store.
- On a computer: use Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome. Select “Join on the web instead,” then select “Allow” so Teams can use your microphone and camera. There’s nothing to download.
- Check your camera and microphone. Make sure video and audio are on (the white circle is on the right).
- Select “Join as Guest” and enter your first name only.
- Wait for your therapist. Once they’ve joined, you’ll be able to start your video.
Troubleshooting Microsoft Teams
I’m in the session, but I can’t see my therapist. Close Microsoft Teams completely. Then go back to your email invitation and click “Join Microsoft Teams Meeting” again. This often happens when you join before your therapist does.
I never received my invitation. Check your junk or spam folder. Some email providers, such as Hotmail, are more likely to send invitations there. Still nothing? Call us and we’ll confirm the email address we have on file. Even an extra space before or after an email address can keep an invite from sending.
I have no video or audio. Leave the meeting and rejoin. If that doesn’t work, your internet connection may not be strong enough. Move closer to your router or switch to an Ethernet cable.
I’m having audio problems. Check the speaker settings on your device, especially if you’re using earbuds.
Still stuck? Call our front desk at 763.780.3036. We’re available by phone Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 8 pm, and Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
