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Our Statement on Telehealth

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At MindMatters Clinic, we provide our clinical services through telehealth, connecting with clients via secure video calls instead of meeting in a physical clinic.

 

This approach ensures that all New Zealanders, regardless of location, can access the country’s leading clinical experts and be matched with the right clinician for their needs.

 

Benefits of Telehealth

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We understand telehealth appointments may not be for everyone, but many of our clients (whai ora) find it more convenient and comfortable.

 

Our telehealth services are designed to be clear and easy to use, which is reflected in our average client satisfaction rating of over 9 out of 10. 

 

As clinical experts, we rely on research to guide our services:

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  • Accessibility and Savings: Telehealth significantly reduces time and travel costs, and is associated with a substantial increase in accessibility, compared to waiting for or travelling to in-person appointments (Scarlata, 2024; Snoswell et al., 2022)

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  • Effectiveness: Some whai ora (people accessing wellbeing services) have concerns that telehealth services might not be as effective, or that their relationship with their clinician won’t feel as strong. However, studies show telehealth is at least as effective, with equally strong client-clinician relationships, and in some cases even stronger! (Batastini et al., 2021; Greenwood et al., 2022; Gurm et al., 2023; Scarlata, 2024).

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  • Suitability for Neurodivergent Clients: Many autistic people, for example, prefer telehealth, finding that meeting from the comfort of home reduces the stress of travelling to unfamiliar settings and feels less confronting than in-person appointments (Alfuraydan et al., 2020; Gibbs et al., 2021). Research has also shown no significant differences in the accuracy of neurodivergence assessments, and that the assessment process for adults does not significantly differ whether it is conducted by telehealth or in person (Gibbs et al., 2021).

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Addressing any Telehealth Challenges

 

According to research, the most common challenges people experience with telehealth services relate to technology issues, distractions, and privacy concerns (Scarlata, 2024). At MindMatters Clinic, we actively seek to address these potential challenges. We maintain the highest standards of care and offer guidance to our clients to help address these issues in advance.

 

It's important to us that those accessing our services have an experience that is as easy and empowering as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, our team is here to help.

 

 

Security and Privacy

 

We use Microsoft Teams for our video calls - a secure platform trusted by leading organisations across Aotearoa New Zealand. Other examples of how we safeguard your privacy:

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  • Our clinicians conduct all sessions from private rooms where no one can see or overhear the call;

  • We never record appointments;

  • We strictly only use ISO 27001-certified systems, an optimal international standard for data protection.

 

For more information about how we protect your privacy and security, see our Privacy Statement

 

 

References

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Alfuraydan, M., Croxall, J., Hurt, L., Kerr, M., and Brophy, S. (2020). Use of Telehealth for Facilitating the Diagnostic Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A scoping review. PLoS One, 15(7), Article e0236415, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236415

 

Batastini, A.B., Paprzycki, P., Jones, A.C.T., and MacLean, N. (2021). Are Videoconferenced Mental and Behavioural Health Services Just as Good as In-person? A meta-analysis of a fast-growing practice. Clinical Psychology Review, 83, Article 101944, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101944

 

Gibbs, V., Cai, R.Y., Aldridge, F., and Wong, M. (2021). Autism Assessment via Telehealth During the Covid 19 Pandemic: Experiences and perspectives of autistic adults, parents/carers and clinicians. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 88, Article 101859, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2021.101859

 

Greenwood, H., Krzyzaniak, N., Peiris, R., Clark, J., Scott, A.M., Cardona, M., Griffith, R., and Glasziou, P. (2022). Telehealth Versus Face-to-face Psychotherapy for Less Common Mental Health Conditions: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. JMIR Mental Health, 9(3), Article e31780, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.2196/31780

 

Gurm, K., Wampold, B.E., Piatt, C., Jagodzinski, R., Caperton, D.D., and Babins-Wagner, R. (2023). Effectiveness of Telemental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A propensity score noninferiority analysis of outcomes. Psychotherapy, 60(2), 231–236. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000472

 

Scarlata, M. (2024). The Benefits and Challenges of Conducting Individual Video-Based Telehealth Psychotherapy with Adults: A Systematic Review. (Publication No. 31561354) [Doctoral dissertation, Pepperdine University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. https://www.proquest.com/openview/d78875db38a8606bcc075567539d6ded/1.pdf?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y

 

Snoswell, C.L., Smith, A.C., Page, M., Scuffham, P., and Caffery, L.J. (2022). Quantifying the Societal Benefits From Telehealth: Productivity and reduced travel, Value in Health Regional Issues, 28, 61-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vhri.2021.07.007

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