This page explains how telehealth psychiatric care works at Eki Mental Health PLLC. A separate signable consent form will be delivered through your patient portal at intake; you will be asked to acknowledge it before your first telemedicine encounter, as required by 22 TAC §174.4.
What telehealth means here
Telehealth at this practice is delivered through real-time, two-way audio and video using a HIPAA- compliant platform (Valant). Your provider, Dr. Isi Etakibuebu, will see and hear you in real time and can also send and receive secure messages between visits.
Who is your provider
Dr. Isi Etakibuebu is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC), licensed in Texas as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN-CNP) with full DEA registration to prescribe controlled substances (Schedules III–V).
You must be physically located in Texas
State law requires that you are physically present in Texas — or another state where the provider is licensed — at the time of every telehealth visit. You will be asked to confirm your location at the start of each appointment. If you travel, please tell your provider in advance.
Benefits
- Convenient access to psychiatric care from your home or another private location.
- Continuity of care for established patients.
- Reduced barriers related to transportation, mobility, and rural access.
Risks and limitations
- Technology failures (lost connection, audio/video distortion). If the visit is interrupted, your provider will attempt to reconnect by phone.
- Despite reasonable safeguards, electronic transmissions can theoretically be intercepted or corrupted. We use HIPAA-compliant platforms with encryption and Business Associate Agreements.
- A “hands-on” physical exam is not possible by telehealth. If your provider determines your needs cannot be safely met remotely, you may be referred for in-person care.
- Some controlled-substance prescribing rules require periodic in-person visits. See our prescribing policy for details.
Your responsibilities
- Use a private location with a stable internet connection.
- Verify your identity and current physical location at the start of each visit.
- Do not record sessions without the provider's written consent.
- Use the secure portal for non-urgent clinical messages — not personal email or text.
Emergencies
Telehealth is not for emergencies. If you are in immediate danger, call 911, go to your nearest emergency department, or contact the resources above.
Privacy
Use of telehealth involves the same HIPAA protections as in-person care. See our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.
No guarantee of outcome
As with all medical care, telehealth visits are subject to the limits of medical knowledge. No specific treatment outcome is guaranteed. You may withdraw consent for telehealth at any time and request in-person referral or a different provider.
Filing a complaint
Complaints about a Texas physician telehealth provider may be reported to the Texas Medical Board: Texas Medical Board, 333 Guadalupe, Tower 3, Suite 610, P.O. Box 2018, MC-263, Austin, TX 78768-2018; 1-800-201-9353; tmb.state.tx.us. Complaints about nursing care may be reported to the Texas Board of Nursing: 333 Guadalupe, Suite 3-460, Austin, TX 78701-3944; 1-800-821-3205; bon.texas.gov.
Duration of consent
Once you sign the telehealth consent form at intake, the consent remains valid for one year from the date of signature, unless you revoke it sooner. You may revoke consent at any time by notifying your provider in writing through the patient portal.