Starting Online Therapy: Terms to Know Before Your First Session
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Starting Online Therapy: Terms to Know Before Your First Session
Starting online therapy usually begins with a short introductory call, followed by intake paperwork, then your first secure video session.
Along the way, you may hear me use terms like PSYPACT, teletherapy, superbill, and out-of-network benefits. Here’s what those terms mean and what you can expect when you begin online therapy with me, Dr. Kristin Barnhart.
I provide online therapy in Connecticut and participating PSYPACT states.
Written by Dr. Kristin Barnhart, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist and Founder of Breakthrough Counseling, LLC
Licensed in Connecticut and authorized to provide telepsychology in over 40 participating PSYPACT states
Last updated: August 2026
Schedule a Complimentary Introductory Call by calling 860-333-8773.
Starting online therapy usually begins with a short introductory call, followed by intake paperwork, then your first secure video session.
Along the way, you may hear me use terms like PSYPACT, teletherapy, superbill, and out-of-network benefits. Here’s what those terms mean and what you can expect when you begin online therapy with me, Dr. Kristin Barnhart.
I provide online therapy in Connecticut and participating PSYPACT states.
Written by Dr. Kristin Barnhart, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist and Founder of Breakthrough Counseling, LLC
Licensed in Connecticut and authorized to provide telepsychology in over 40 participating PSYPACT states
Last updated: August 2026
Schedule a Complimentary Introductory Call by calling 860-333-8773.
Starting online therapy usually begins with a short introductory call, followed by intake paperwork, then your first secure video session.
Along the way, you may hear me use terms like PSYPACT, teletherapy, superbill, and out-of-network benefits. Here’s what those terms mean and what you can expect when you begin online therapy with me, Dr. Kristin Barnhart.
I provide online therapy in Connecticut and participating PSYPACT states.
Written by Dr. Kristin Barnhart, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist and Founder of Breakthrough Counseling, LLC
Licensed in Connecticut and authorized to provide telepsychology in over 40 participating PSYPACT states
Last updated: August 2026
Schedule a Complimentary Introductory Call by calling 860-333-8773.
Starting online therapy usually begins with a short introductory call, followed by intake paperwork, then your first secure video session.
Along the way, you may hear me use terms like PSYPACT, teletherapy, superbill, and out-of-network benefits. Here’s what those terms mean and what you can expect when you begin online therapy with me, Dr. Kristin Barnhart.
I provide online therapy in Connecticut and participating PSYPACT states.
Written by Dr. Kristin Barnhart, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist and Founder of Breakthrough Counseling, LLC
Licensed in Connecticut and authorized to provide telepsychology in over 40 participating PSYPACT states
Last updated: August 2026
Schedule a Complimentary Introductory Call by calling 860-333-8773.
How Does Starting Online Therapy Work?
How Does Starting Online Therapy Work?
Before You Begin Online Therapy
Introductory Call
A complimentary introductory call gives us a chance to talk before you decide if you’d like to schedule therapy.
You can tell me a little about what brings you to therapy and what you’re hoping will be different. You can also ask me any questions you may have.
We can talk about scheduling, fees, online sessions, and whether I can provide therapy in the state where you’re located.
This call isn’t a therapy session. It’s simply a first conversation to help us decide if working together feels like a good fit.
Therapy Services I Provide
I provide online couples therapy, premarital counseling, and individual therapy for adults. All sessions are online, so I don’t offer in-person therapy.
I also don’t provide EMDR, child therapy, or relationship coaching.
Not quite sure if I offer the kind of help you’re looking for? That’s something we can talk through during your introductory call.
Does My Partner Need to Attend Therapy?
Not necessarily. If your partner isn’t ready to come to therapy, you can still begin on your own. When you start communicating differently, responding differently, or changing patterns you’ve fallen into, that can make a difference in your relationship too.
Licensed Psychologist
A licensed psychologist has a doctoral degree in psychology and completes years of supervised training before becoming licensed to practice on their own.
I knew in graduate school that I wanted to work with couples. More than three decades later, I still do. I love helping couples get underneath the argument and understand what is really being asked. The fight may be about dishes, a schedule, a text, or something that happened with family, but underneath it are often questions like, “Do I matter to you?” “Do you hear me?” and “Are we still on the same team?”
Some of my favorite moments are when I can see a couple beginning to find each other again. A guarded expression softens. They laugh together. One reaches for the other without thinking about it. Those small moments can be signs that something important is beginning to change.
I’m licensed in Connecticut and authorized through PSYPACT to provide online therapy to clients in participating states.
Teletherapy (Online Therapy)
Teletherapy (Online Therapy)
Teletherapy simply means meeting for therapy online instead of coming into an office.
I provide online therapy through SimplePractice, the secure, HIPAA-compliant platform I use for Breakthrough Counseling.
Before your appointment, you’ll receive a private link to join your session. A lot of my clients also like downloading the SimplePractice app on their phone or using it on their laptop, so it’s easy to access the client portal. You’ll want to be somewhere private where you feel comfortable talking.
For couples, meeting online can make therapy easier to fit around work, parenting, and other responsibilities. You still have dedicated time to talk together about what’s happening in your relationship.
Teletherapy simply means meeting for therapy online instead of coming into an office.
I provide online therapy through SimplePractice, the secure, HIPAA-compliant platform I use for Breakthrough Counseling.
Before your appointment, you’ll receive a private link to join your session. A lot of my clients also like downloading the SimplePractice app on their phone or using it on their laptop, so it’s easy to access the client portal. You’ll want to be somewhere private where you feel comfortable talking.
For couples, meeting online can make therapy easier to fit around work, parenting, and other responsibilities. You still have dedicated time to talk together about what’s happening in your relationship.
PSYPACT and Online Therapy
PSYPACT is an agreement between over 40 participating states that makes it possible for psychologists with special authorization to provide online therapy across state lines.
Psychologists must meet PSYPACT requirements and receive authorization before they can practice this way.
I’m authorized through PSYPACT to provide online therapy in participating states.
This is especially beneficial if you’re traveling, moving, have a long-distance relationship, or plan to join a session from another state.
Paperwork Before Your First Session
Intake Paperwork
After your introductory call and before your first therapy session, I’ll send you some paperwork through the secure SimplePractice Client Portal.
Plan on setting aside about 20 minutes to complete it.
The paperwork explains important practice policies and asks some questions about you, how you’ve been feeling, and what brings you to therapy. You’ll also get the information you need before agreeing to begin therapy.
Getting the paperwork done ahead of time means we can use more of your first session talking about what’s been happening and what your hopes are for the session.
SimplePractice Client Portal
SimplePractice is the secure online system I use for my practice.
You’ll use your SimplePractice Client Portal for things like:
Intake Paperwork
After your introductory call and before your first therapy session, I’ll send you some paperwork through the secure SimplePractice Client Portal.
Plan on setting aside about 20 minutes to complete it.
The paperwork explains important practice policies and asks some questions about you, how you’ve been feeling, and what brings you to therapy. You’ll also get the information you need before agreeing to begin therapy.
Getting the paperwork done ahead of time means we can use more of your first session talking about what’s been happening and what your hopes are for the session.
SimplePractice Client Portal
SimplePractice is the secure online system I use for my practice.
You’ll use your SimplePractice Client Portal for things like:
- Filling out and signing your intake paperwork
- Joining online therapy sessions
- Seeing appointment information
- Getting appointment reminders
- Viewing invoices, statements, or superbills
- Updating payment information
- Sending secure messages about your care
SimplePractice’s platform and telehealth services are HIPAA compliant.
Before your first appointment, you’ll receive an email with instructions for accessing your portal.
Paperwork Before Your First Session
Paperwork Before Your First Session
Intake Paperwork
After your introductory call and before your first therapy session, I’ll send you some paperwork through the secure SimplePractice Client Portal.
Plan on setting aside about 20 minutes to complete it.
The paperwork explains important practice policies and asks some questions about you, how you’ve been feeling, and what brings you to therapy. You’ll also get the information you need before agreeing to begin therapy.
Getting the paperwork done ahead of time means we can use more of your first session talking about what’s been happening and what your hopes are for the session.
SimplePractice Client Portal
SimplePractice is the secure online system I use for my practice.
You’ll use your SimplePractice Client Portal for things like:
- Filling out and signing your intake paperwork
- Joining online therapy sessions
- Seeing appointment information
- Getting appointment reminders
- Viewing invoices, statements, or superbills
- Updating payment information
- Sending secure messages about your care
SimplePractice’s platform and telehealth services are HIPAA compliant.
Before your first appointment, you’ll receive an email with instructions for accessing your portal.
Paying for Online Therapy
Paying for Online Therapy
Out-of-Network Benefits for Therapy
Breakthrough Counseling is an out-of-network practice, which means I don’t bill your insurance company directly. You pay the full fee for your session on the same day as your appointment.
Some insurance plans will then pay you back for part of what you paid. This is called out-of-network reimbursement.
Not every plan offers this benefit, and the amount you may get back is different for each plan.
If you want to know what your plan may cover, you can call your insurance company or use the Mentaya benefits calculator. Mentaya can give you an estimate before you begin therapy.
Out-of-Network Benefits for Therapy
Breakthrough Counseling is an out-of-network practice, which means I don’t bill your insurance company directly. You pay the full fee for your session on the same day as your appointment.
Some insurance plans will then pay you back for part of what you paid. This is called out-of-network reimbursement.
Not every plan offers this benefit, and the amount you may get back is different for each plan.
If you want to know what your plan may cover, you can call your insurance company or use the Mentaya benefits calculator. Mentaya can give you an estimate before you begin therapy.
Therapy Superbill
Therapy Superbill
A superbill is a special receipt for your therapy session that you can send to your insurance company if you want to ask them to pay you back for part of your therapy cost.
It includes the information your insurance company needs to review the claim.
You can send the superbill yourself, or you can use Mentaya to help with the process.
A superbill is a special receipt for your therapy session that you can send to your insurance company if you want to ask them to pay you back for part of your therapy cost.
It includes the information your insurance company needs to review the claim.
You can send the superbill yourself, or you can use Mentaya to help with the process.
Mentaya
Mentaya
Mentaya is an optional service that can make the insurance process easier if you want to use your out-of-network benefits.
You can use Mentaya to check your benefits, get an estimate of what your insurance may pay you back, and have claims submitted for you.
I don’t bill insurance companies or communicate with them about claims. Mentaya handles that part if you choose to use the service.
Mentaya charges a fee for its service. I don’t receive any payment, referral fee, or kickback from Mentaya. I offer it because many clients like having help with the insurance paperwork and follow-up.
You don’t have to use Mentaya. If you prefer, you can ask me for a superbill and submit the claim to your insurance company yourself.
The amount you get back, if any, is decided by your insurance company and depends on your plan.
Mentaya is an optional service that can make the insurance process easier if you want to use your out-of-network benefits.
You can use Mentaya to check your benefits, get an estimate of what your insurance may pay you back, and have claims submitted for you.
I don’t bill insurance companies or communicate with them about claims. Mentaya handles that part if you choose to use the service.
Mentaya charges a fee for its service. I don’t receive any payment, referral fee, or kickback from Mentaya. I offer it because many clients like having help with the insurance paperwork and follow-up.
You don’t have to use Mentaya. If you prefer, you can ask me for a superbill and submit the claim to your insurance company yourself.
The amount you get back, if any, is decided by your insurance company and depends on your plan.
Paying for Online Therapy
Out-of-Network Benefits for Therapy
Breakthrough Counseling is an out-of-network practice, which means I don’t bill your insurance company directly. You pay the full fee for your session on the same day as your appointment.
Some insurance plans will then pay you back for part of what you paid. This is called out-of-network reimbursement.
Not every plan offers this benefit, and the amount you may get back is different for each plan.
If you want to know what your plan may cover, you can call your insurance company or use the Mentaya benefits calculator. Mentaya can give you an estimate before you begin therapy.
Therapy Superbill
A superbill is a special receipt for your therapy session that you can send to your insurance company if you want to ask them to pay you back for part of your therapy cost.
It includes the information your insurance company needs to review the claim.
You can send the superbill yourself, or you can use Mentaya to help with the process.
Mentaya
Mentaya is an optional service that can make the insurance process easier if you want to use your out-of-network benefits.
You can use Mentaya to check your benefits, get an estimate of what your insurance may pay you back, and have claims submitted for you.
I don’t bill insurance companies or communicate with them about claims. Mentaya handles that part if you choose to use the service.
Mentaya charges a fee for its service. I don’t receive any payment, referral fee, or kickback from Mentaya. I offer it because many clients like having help with the insurance paperwork and follow-up.
You don’t have to use Mentaya. If you prefer, you can ask me for a superbill and submit the claim to your insurance company yourself.
The amount you get back, if any, is decided by your insurance company and depends on your plan.
Paying for Online Therapy
Out-of-Network Benefits for Therapy
Breakthrough Counseling is an out-of-network practice, which means I don’t bill your insurance company directly. You pay the full fee for your session on the same day as your appointment.
Some insurance plans will then pay you back for part of what you paid. This is called out-of-network reimbursement.
Not every plan offers this benefit, and the amount you may get back is different for each plan.
If you want to know what your plan may cover, you can call your insurance company or use the Mentaya benefits calculator. Mentaya can give you an estimate before you begin therapy.
Therapy Superbill
A superbill is a special receipt for your therapy session that you can send to your insurance company if you want to ask them to pay you back for part of your therapy cost.
It includes the information your insurance company needs to review the claim.
You can send the superbill yourself, or you can use Mentaya to help with the process.
Mentaya
Mentaya is an optional service that can make the insurance process easier if you want to use your out-of-network benefits.
You can use Mentaya to check your benefits, get an estimate of what your insurance may pay you back, and have claims submitted for you.
I don’t bill insurance companies or communicate with them about claims. Mentaya handles that part if you choose to use the service.
Mentaya charges a fee for its service. I don’t receive any payment, referral fee, or kickback from Mentaya. I offer it because many clients like having help with the insurance paperwork and follow-up.
You don’t have to use Mentaya. If you prefer, you can ask me for a superbill and submit the claim to your insurance company yourself.
The amount you get back, if any, is decided by your insurance company and depends on your plan.
Still Have Questions About Starting Online Therapy?
You don’t have to understand all of this before you reach out.
Your complimentary introductory call is a good place to ask questions. We can talk about what you’re looking for, whether I can work with you where you’re located, and any questions you have about scheduling, online sessions, or payment.
Call or Text 860-333-8773 to Schedule a Complimentary Introductory Call
A Note About This Page
This page gives you general information about starting online therapy. Insurance benefits, PSYPACT rules, and other requirements can change. You’ll receive information that applies to your own therapy before your first session.
Sources and Helpful Information
American Psychological Association: What Do Practicing Psychologists Do?
PSYPACT Commission: About PSYPACT
SimplePractice: SimplePractice HIPAA Compliance
Still Have Questions About Starting Online Therapy?
You don’t have to understand all of this before you reach out.
Your complimentary introductory call is a good place to ask questions. We can talk about what you’re looking for, whether I can work with you where you’re located, and any questions you have about scheduling, online sessions, or payment.
Call or Text 860-333-8773 to Schedule a Complimentary Introductory Call
A Note About This Page
This page gives you general information about starting online therapy. Insurance benefits, PSYPACT rules, and other requirements can change. You’ll receive information that applies to your own therapy before your first session.
Sources and Helpful Information
American Psychological Association: What Do Practicing Psychologists Do?
PSYPACT Commission: About PSYPACT
SimplePractice: SimplePractice HIPAA Compliance