Question 1

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

Mend Therapy currently accepts  Blue Cross Blue Shield. If you have questions regarding insurance or other forms of payment for therapy services, please use the Contact Us tool and you will receive a response via email within 48 hours.

Question 2

How do I know I would benefit from therapy?

Accepted Answer

Mend Therapy believes every single person can benefit from therapy, regardless of their circumstances. If you have noticed a shift in your mood that has caused you to not feel like yourself, if a significant life event has occurred and your typical coping mechanisms are not as effective as they have been in the past, or if you find yourself curious about exploring your values and understanding yourself more, you can absolutely benefit from therapy.

Question 3

What are the benefits of telehealth?

Accepted Answer

Telehealth offers the convenience of receiving quality mental health treatment from the comfort of your own home. It also saves you time since you will not have commute to and from an office for your session.

Question 4

How do I know my information is kept confidential and secure?

Accepted Answer

Mend Therapy has an ethical obligation to follow the rules outlined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your electronic Protected Health Information (e-PHI). Your e-PHI is not made available or disclosed to unauthorized persons. It also means that Mend Therapy will identify, protect against, and inform you of reasonably anticipated threats to security or integrity of your information.
 
Mend Therapy uses an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system known as SimplePractice to record your e-PHI. SimplePractice is HIPAA-compliant and HITRUST certified. Because Mend Therapy utilizes SimplePractice's telehealth service, you can be confident that your video session will be secure. For more information on how SimplePractice protects your information, follow this link:
https://www.simplepractice.com/features/security/
 
For more information regarding HIPAA compliance, follow this link:
https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.html

Question 5

How do telehealth video sessions work?

Accepted Answer

Your video sessions will be held through the SimplePractice website or mobile app, depending on how you'd like to join your session (e.g., laptop/desktop computer, tablet, or cell phone).
 
You will receive a text and/or email ten minutes prior to your scheduled video session. If you're on a mobile device, you will be directed to download the secure "Telehealth by SimplePractice" app. If you plan to join on a computer, a new tab will open in your web browser. Enter your name and click "Join Video Call."
 
Follow this link for troubleshooting and other information regarding your video session using SimplePractice: https://support.simplepractice.com/hc/en-us/articles/360003183011-Telehealth-FAQs-for-clients
 
Note: The link to join the video call is unique, meaning it cannot be reused as it expires approximately 30 minutes after the start time of your video session. You will be sent a new link prior to each session.

Question 6

What do I need for my session?

Accepted Answer

1. A strong internet connection, whether through Wi-Fi or data usage, is absolutely necessary for your scheduled session. Mend Therapy may choose to end the session early and reschedule for a future date/time if the internet connection is too poor to offer the proper time and space necessary to effectively work toward your therapeutic goals.
 
2. You will need a private, confidential space in which you feel comfortable discussing difficult, potentially very emotional, topics. Mend Therapy may choose to to end the session early and reschedule for a future date/time if you are not in a confidential space that is HIPAA-compliant for your protection.

Question 7

Can I schedule sessions when I am out of the state?

Accepted Answer

Because Mend Therapy is licensed only in the state of Iowa, you must be within Iowa's borders to attend your session, per insurance regulations. This means if you are going on a short vacation or returning home out-of-state during a break from college, Mend Therapy is not able to provide services to you.

Frequently asked questions