It is a good idea to check your internet connection and spend a small amount of time setting up your device before your first online therapy session.

Your device should have a minimum level of computer hardware and software infrastructure to satisfactorily perform the online telehealth consultations. Here is how you can check this:

Types of devices – you must have either a desktop computer, phone or tablet with microphone and camera. The camera on your device should be at least 720p resolution (1280x720 pixels). Most devices with built-in cameras meet this requirement.

Extra privacy – you might like to use headphones during your session for an added layer of privacy.

Consider your web browsers – for Android and Linux devices, Chrome and Firefox are suggested browsers to use when logging into your My Mirror account and undergoing your session . For iOS devices, Safari is your option. For MacOS devices, Chrome, Firefox and Safari are suggested. For Windows devices, Chrome, Firefox and Edge are suggested.

Internet speed – the minimum requirements for a ‘good experience’ with video and audio are: download: 1.5 Mbps; upload: 1.5 Mbps. While most internet companies provide speeds faster than this, you can still use our platform with a slower internet speed but the video might not be as clear or you may need to turn off the video component to prioritise consistently clear audio quality. Test how fast your internet connection is by visiting iinet. If you feel your internet connection can sometimes be unreliable when numerous people are using it, it is recommended that no one else is using your internet connection at the same time as your session, and that bandwidth is not being used by other applications on your device.

Close down other browsers and apps – ensure all other web browsers and apps are closed during your online therapy sessions. Not only will this prevent distractions caused by notifications, it will also prevent any previously opened apps from overriding your device's camera and audio functions (preventing you from seeing or hearing your psychologist). For example, if you have been playing music or making a call via Skype, your speakers will be connected with these apps. Close them down and open up your browser again for your online therapy session.