This plugin for PHPStorm solves the problem perfectly.
https://www.previousnext.com.au/blog/native-phpstorm-drupal-test-runner#comment-1588

https://github.com/mglaman/intellij-drupal-run-tests

Alternatively, this plugin led me to the realization that you can also do the same thing with a PHP Script Run/Debug configuration. 

[![PHPStorm - PHP Script Run/Debug Configuration][1]][1]

Essentially just adding the following in the arguments field:
`--php /usr/bin/php --url http://webny.dev --dburl mysql://drupal:[email protected]/drupal --concurrency 1 --module simpletest_example`

obvously changing out for your db settings and module/class/file 

 [1]: https://i.sstatic.net/DNzph.jpg