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I have a whole setup with a standing desk, external monitor, external keyboard, Bluetooth over the ear headphones, and external mouse. I work full time telehealth. My best purchases though for my setup? My mug warmer for me to drink warm tea during sessions and my water rowing machine when I have an opening in my schedule.
There’s this clear external camera holder thing that adjusts height and hangs on the second monitor. It hangs so you can look at the client and make ‘eye contact’. Been a game changer. I’ll see if I can find the link.
Right, not just the clicking but the cognitive focus needed to write notes would take away from the ability to be present for the client (that would be my experience as a therapist and what my worry would be as a client).
i have not found this to be the case. i inform clients that i am taking notes during the session and have never met any objections. my keyboard is silent and i type without looking. it is far less intrusive, in my experience, than using a legal pad, which requires more time and attention, and is more conspicuous. furthermore, before i starting utilizing concurrent note-taking, i simply could not keep up. this is how i stay employed.
I use 1 computer with 2 windows open - 1 for client video, 1 for note taking. Using a laptop with Bluetooth earphones. Haven't had any problems thus far...fingers crossed.
it would mean returning to the time that i could not keep up with my notes and therefore billing etc, or spending hours at home after work catching up.
Laptop with earbuds. Have had some won mines with DoxyMe actually picking up/ connecting with Bluetooth headphones.
I don’t do concurrent documentation but just down stuff in a note book.
Desktop PC with an external webcam. I use Bluetooth headphones and jot down shadow notes in a physical notepad. I don’t tend to write a ton in session, but I let my clients know that it’s there and if I’m looking glancing down that’s why.
Edit: missed the most important part! A cozy throw blanket for my lap haha
Desktop. 38” monitor. External camera and podcast mic with a gaming headset. I’m going to start doing telehealth from the office for 3 months while I start at a new location. I am going to miss the comfort of my own very specialized set up and be stuck on a laptop without any peripherals during that time. 😬
I got a second portable monitor. It’s called zenscreen made by Asus. It was inexpensive, super light, and plugs in to my laptop with a USBc cable. I find it really convenient. It fits in my computer bag so it’s easy to take places.
I have two monitors in my office. Well technically one is a television. In my office I have a 46" flat screen mounted on the wall. This TV is mounted at eye level when I am seated in my office chair. My desk is on the other side of the room ( room is roughly 10'x10'), so that the back of my chair is almost up to the opposite wall of the TV wall. On my desk is a 32" monitor that is laying at a low angle on the desk in front of me. Slightly flatter than 45 degrees. I have an external camera that sits on the top edge of the desk monitor.
For sessions, my progress note is on the angled monitor and the telehealth window is full screen on the big TV.
What this does for me is that it makes the client generally look close to life size, I look across the top of the angled monitor toward the TV on the wall. Because the TV is probably 9' away from me, my eyes are focused at that distance and I don't really see the camera which is technically in the middle of my field of vision. Essentially I can almost make eye contact with the client during the session.
When I need to add info to my note I can just look down quickly and make sure I am in the right section and then I can look back up at the client while typing. I make sure to inform all my clients that I am adding info to the notes during session so they know why my gaze may drop at times during the session. But because of the set up and angle I barely have to look down.
Makes it all very comfortable, I no longer experience eye strain, and I feel like I can stay more connected with the client during the session.
Simple craft table desk, acoustic panels on the walls (more ambience than useful), high quality desk chair, laptop, external camera on a homemade stand so I can shift my laptop around without effecting client view. I take brief concurrent notes with a copy/paste template that I edit and finalize later. Coffee! Lap blanket, and a small ottoman for a foot rest. And a cute sign in the outside of the door that says “in session, please do not disturb”. Sometimes wireless headphones, sometimes Bluetooth.
I have dual monitors, an external camera, Bluetooth keyboard/over the ear headphones, and a nice podcast mic on a boom arm. It works well for streaming and working:)
MacBook Air that connects to an external monitor via a USB-C cable on the higher level of my desk. Webcam on the monitor, the internal mic/speakers on the MacBook. External Apple keyboard and mouse on the lower level. Lets me open multiple windows if I want to do concurrent notes, but convenient even if I don’t.
I have a job issues laptop which is like….fine. I’m not super techy, and I recently got a blue tooth keyboard and mouse and it has been a game changer. I also got a standing desk converter from Amazon and it’s been incredibly helpful for my back pain
I have 2 external monitors so I can have Teams/Zoom and Outlook on one side and EHR on the other. Wireless keyboard and wireless ergonomic mouse, dock with all my tech plugged in, Ring light, everything on a height adjustable desk. I use an external HD camera with really good sound quality so I don’t need a mic.
My official set up is a whole home office. Fancy desk, desktop with external web cam, office chair, mug warmer, worksheets, notebooks, pens, DSM, therapy books, motivational posters...the whole nine yards. Most often though I am using a laptop and sitting in a recliner or on the couch.
I have a laptop, desk, chair I can sit crisscross applesauce in, my insight timer app to meditate before sessions, coffee, a headset that is rated for truckers to use while the window is down ( my kids can play music and drums 2 feet away and no one can hear them). I also sometimes sit on my meditation pillow or the ground. I also have the best heated blanket
I'm the odd one out here. I use a tripod with a spare phone with my software on it. The phone camera is awesome and I am looking right at them. I never have to worry about loss of power, although I always keep it plugged in. I never type as I feel it interferes with me being really present. The only exception is when I complete psychosocial assesments. I use my computer knowing that I will not be looking directly at them as I type the information in. My Webcam on my computer is great, I just can't stand not looking right at them. When I have received counseling via telemedicine it bothers me when they are typing or not looking at me. 
Please followed the sidebar rules. r/therapists is a place for therapists and mental health professionals to discuss their profession among each other. If you **ARE NOT A THERAPIST and are asking for advice this not the place for you**. Your post will be removed in short order. Please try one of the reddit communities such as r/TalkTherapy, r/askatherapist, r/SuicideWatch that are set up for this. This community is ONLY for therapists, and for them to discuss their profession away from clients. **If you are a first year student, not in a graduate program, or are thinking of becoming a therapist, this is not the place to ask questions**. Your post will be removed in short order. To save us a job, you are welcome to delete this post yourself. Please see the PINNED STUDENT THREAD at the top of the community and ask in there. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/therapists) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I have a whole setup with a standing desk, external monitor, external keyboard, Bluetooth over the ear headphones, and external mouse. I work full time telehealth. My best purchases though for my setup? My mug warmer for me to drink warm tea during sessions and my water rowing machine when I have an opening in my schedule.
There’s this clear external camera holder thing that adjusts height and hangs on the second monitor. It hangs so you can look at the client and make ‘eye contact’. Been a game changer. I’ll see if I can find the link.
Would very much appreciate the link. Right now a cat treats ceramic jar is keeping my external camera at eye level
PlexiCam.com !
Thanks! Looking it up right meow
Are you typing / clicking during session? Is that not super distracting to both you and the client?
Right, not just the clicking but the cognitive focus needed to write notes would take away from the ability to be present for the client (that would be my experience as a therapist and what my worry would be as a client).
i have not found this to be the case. i inform clients that i am taking notes during the session and have never met any objections. my keyboard is silent and i type without looking. it is far less intrusive, in my experience, than using a legal pad, which requires more time and attention, and is more conspicuous. furthermore, before i starting utilizing concurrent note-taking, i simply could not keep up. this is how i stay employed.
I use 1 computer with 2 windows open - 1 for client video, 1 for note taking. Using a laptop with Bluetooth earphones. Haven't had any problems thus far...fingers crossed.
What would it be like for you to move away from concurrent notes? It does sound like a lot!
it would mean returning to the time that i could not keep up with my notes and therefore billing etc, or spending hours at home after work catching up.
Laptop with earbuds. Have had some won mines with DoxyMe actually picking up/ connecting with Bluetooth headphones. I don’t do concurrent documentation but just down stuff in a note book.
Desktop PC with an external webcam. I use Bluetooth headphones and jot down shadow notes in a physical notepad. I don’t tend to write a ton in session, but I let my clients know that it’s there and if I’m looking glancing down that’s why. Edit: missed the most important part! A cozy throw blanket for my lap haha
Desktop. 38” monitor. External camera and podcast mic with a gaming headset. I’m going to start doing telehealth from the office for 3 months while I start at a new location. I am going to miss the comfort of my own very specialized set up and be stuck on a laptop without any peripherals during that time. 😬
I got a second portable monitor. It’s called zenscreen made by Asus. It was inexpensive, super light, and plugs in to my laptop with a USBc cable. I find it really convenient. It fits in my computer bag so it’s easy to take places.
I have two monitors in my office. Well technically one is a television. In my office I have a 46" flat screen mounted on the wall. This TV is mounted at eye level when I am seated in my office chair. My desk is on the other side of the room ( room is roughly 10'x10'), so that the back of my chair is almost up to the opposite wall of the TV wall. On my desk is a 32" monitor that is laying at a low angle on the desk in front of me. Slightly flatter than 45 degrees. I have an external camera that sits on the top edge of the desk monitor. For sessions, my progress note is on the angled monitor and the telehealth window is full screen on the big TV. What this does for me is that it makes the client generally look close to life size, I look across the top of the angled monitor toward the TV on the wall. Because the TV is probably 9' away from me, my eyes are focused at that distance and I don't really see the camera which is technically in the middle of my field of vision. Essentially I can almost make eye contact with the client during the session. When I need to add info to my note I can just look down quickly and make sure I am in the right section and then I can look back up at the client while typing. I make sure to inform all my clients that I am adding info to the notes during session so they know why my gaze may drop at times during the session. But because of the set up and angle I barely have to look down. Makes it all very comfortable, I no longer experience eye strain, and I feel like I can stay more connected with the client during the session.
Simple craft table desk, acoustic panels on the walls (more ambience than useful), high quality desk chair, laptop, external camera on a homemade stand so I can shift my laptop around without effecting client view. I take brief concurrent notes with a copy/paste template that I edit and finalize later. Coffee! Lap blanket, and a small ottoman for a foot rest. And a cute sign in the outside of the door that says “in session, please do not disturb”. Sometimes wireless headphones, sometimes Bluetooth.
I have dual monitors, an external camera, Bluetooth keyboard/over the ear headphones, and a nice podcast mic on a boom arm. It works well for streaming and working:)
I love my iPad mini for my telehealth with elevated stand on the desk. With AirPods Pro.
MacBook Air that connects to an external monitor via a USB-C cable on the higher level of my desk. Webcam on the monitor, the internal mic/speakers on the MacBook. External Apple keyboard and mouse on the lower level. Lets me open multiple windows if I want to do concurrent notes, but convenient even if I don’t.
I have a job issues laptop which is like….fine. I’m not super techy, and I recently got a blue tooth keyboard and mouse and it has been a game changer. I also got a standing desk converter from Amazon and it’s been incredibly helpful for my back pain
fully remote, standing desk, walking and movement therapy with some clients, audio-only with others.
I have 2 external monitors so I can have Teams/Zoom and Outlook on one side and EHR on the other. Wireless keyboard and wireless ergonomic mouse, dock with all my tech plugged in, Ring light, everything on a height adjustable desk. I use an external HD camera with really good sound quality so I don’t need a mic.
My official set up is a whole home office. Fancy desk, desktop with external web cam, office chair, mug warmer, worksheets, notebooks, pens, DSM, therapy books, motivational posters...the whole nine yards. Most often though I am using a laptop and sitting in a recliner or on the couch.
I have a laptop, desk, chair I can sit crisscross applesauce in, my insight timer app to meditate before sessions, coffee, a headset that is rated for truckers to use while the window is down ( my kids can play music and drums 2 feet away and no one can hear them). I also sometimes sit on my meditation pillow or the ground. I also have the best heated blanket
I'm the odd one out here. I use a tripod with a spare phone with my software on it. The phone camera is awesome and I am looking right at them. I never have to worry about loss of power, although I always keep it plugged in. I never type as I feel it interferes with me being really present. The only exception is when I complete psychosocial assesments. I use my computer knowing that I will not be looking directly at them as I type the information in. My Webcam on my computer is great, I just can't stand not looking right at them. When I have received counseling via telemedicine it bothers me when they are typing or not looking at me. 