telka's mental Health Services

• Telka vacated her East Lansing office during the spring of 2021 to work exclusively from her home office. 
• Teletherapy only, no in-person sessions. Brief, solution-focused, cognitive-behavioral, cognitive processing therapy is highly adaptable for service delivery over the telephone. Teletherapy helps resolve issues with virus transmission, mobility, childcare, time off work, travel expense, parking hassles, as well as carbon footprint. Telemedicine maintains high rates of clinical success and patient satisfaction.
• Sorry, not accepting new referrals. New referrals may use the tools on this website with the therapist of their choice. To find a local provider who meets your individual needs by location, insurance coverage and specialty area visit www.PsychologyToday 

Telka's training and consultation is available at no cost, as a "give back" to the profession and local mental health providers.

• Mental health providers interested in brief CBT tools and other therapy skills training to improve effectiveness with treatment outcome may attend  Telka's free monthly trainings via Zoom. For registration, contact Jenn at  Jenn.arbo@yahoo.com  
• Consultation, coaching and training for mental health care providers individually or in small groups is also available at no cost.  Contact Telka directly for options and scheduling.  
• Telka's Talks Training materials are easily accessed on this site as well.

Telka's therapy services, covered by most major insurances, are available for: 

Former clients between the ages of 21 and 62 who are highly motivated, insightful and interested in resuming Telka's  brief, solution-focused treatment model.

Service Restrictions: A brief therapy model is not compatible treatment for psychiatric emergencies, case management, legal issues, active addictions, severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) including episodes of suicidal or self-injurious behavior, psychotic disorders nor for those with histories of recent inpatient hospitalizations.

Service Hours:  Teletherapy services are limited to current and former clients who are available to schedule teletherapy on weekdays between the hours of 9a and 3p to address brief treatment needs.

Scheduling: Due to high demand for services, new referrals are not accepted.  Former clients may email Telka directly to inquire about services. Couples and family therapy are no longer offered, as those services benefit from video or in-person treatment.  Telka schedules her own appointments. Email is the fastest way to reach Telka at  Therapy@TelkaArend-Ritter.com  

Former clients interested in resuming brief, solution-focused services, please include the following information: 

1. Your name now and the name you used during your prior work with Telka. 

2. Your current age, (Services limited to adults between the ages 21 to *62)

3. Occupation, employer and whether or not you have located Telka's name in your mental health provider directory.  *Please note Telka is not a Medicare provider.

• Telka is a fully licensed Masters level clinical social worker in the state of Michigan.  Telka is an "in-network" provider for  Blue Cross Blue Shield*, Blue Care Network, Cigna*, Cofinity*, HAP, Health Plus, McLaren,  Messa, PHP and SPN.   
• *Specific plans may vary.  Please consult your mental health policy for details about coverage including your telemed benefit for outpatient mental health therapy over the phone.
• Locate Telka Arend-Ritter LMSW in your provider directory using her NPI # 1013066067
• Please note that because Telka's services are not specifically designed for geriatric or disability concerns, she is not a Medicare provider.
• Therapists do not prescribe medication. 
• Telka does not offer emergency services.
• Ingham County Medicaid recipients with mental health concerns may contact their primary care physician or Community Mental Health. or visit Michigan 211

Cancellation Policy

To cancel or reschedule a telephone appointment, please provide 24 hour or more advance notice via email directly to Telka at Therapy@TelkaArend-Ritter.com. Please keep in mind that short notice cancellations prevent others from receiving services during that reserved time.  Although Telka does not charge cancellation fees, repeated cancellations indicate that current scheduling practices are not working. Repeated cancellations will result in referral for services elsewhere.