Distance Counseling Services FAQS
1. What is distance counseling?
Distance counseling is the use of technology to deliver counseling services outside of traditional face to face counseling sessions.
2. Is distance counseling as effective as face to face counseling?
According to research, distance counseling has been shown to be just as effective or even better than face to face counseling. These findings are found in various research studies including the Veterans Affair health efficacy study of over 98,000 subjects and Dr. Azay Barak's 2007 meta-analysis of the effectiveness of internet based psychotherapeutic interventions. There are additional resources that can be accessed describing the effectiveness of distance counseling. Please let us know if you'd like more specific information regarding the effectiveness of distance counseling.
3. What are the benefits of distance counseling versus face to face counseling?
4. What are challenges with using distance counseling?
5. What makes a counselor qualified to offer distance counseling?
Sojourners Rest Counseling utilizes distance counseling services based on ethics and best practices that are currently available. Counselors at Sojourners Rest Counseling practicing distance counseling are certified as a Board Certified Telemental Health Provider. This certification requires additional education, demonstrated proficiency, and continuing education on the application of distance counseling practices and ethics. Counselors at Sojourners Rest Counseling also practice distance counseling with specialties within their scope of training and experience, utilize secure and HIPPA compliant technologies to ensure confidentiality and safety with sessions, and adhere to specific policies and procedures used to promote effective and safe use of distance counseling.
6. How much does a distance counseling session cost?
The cost for a distance counseling session is the same cost as a face to face in person session. Please see the Scheduling and Fees section of the website for current rates.
7. I am interested in the use of distance counseling. How do I get started?
Getting started in using distance counseling requires a few simple steps.
New and current clients will complete the following:
Following completion of these procedures, clients can conveniently self schedule their video conference or phone session on the secure client website.
Click on the attached forms below to download detailed instructions on how to set up distance counseling services for individual or couples counseling.
Distance counseling is the use of technology to deliver counseling services outside of traditional face to face counseling sessions.
- Synchronous methods of distance counseling occur when the counselor and client are communicating in real time. Examples of synchronous methods of distance counseling include talking on a telephone or communicating through a live video (often know as "Skype" counseling) using computers and webcams.
- Asynchronous methods of distance counseling includes communication where there may be a delay in communication between the counselor and client. Email communication is an example of asynchronous communication.
- Distance counseling can be your main method of receiving counseling services or it may be an additional method of receiving counseling services in addition to face to face sessions. Also, the specific means of delivering distance counseling (video, phone, messaging, or email) can be discussed with your counselor based on your needs and preferences.
- Similar to face to face clients, secure and confidential client records are kept for distance counseling clients.
2. Is distance counseling as effective as face to face counseling?
According to research, distance counseling has been shown to be just as effective or even better than face to face counseling. These findings are found in various research studies including the Veterans Affair health efficacy study of over 98,000 subjects and Dr. Azay Barak's 2007 meta-analysis of the effectiveness of internet based psychotherapeutic interventions. There are additional resources that can be accessed describing the effectiveness of distance counseling. Please let us know if you'd like more specific information regarding the effectiveness of distance counseling.
3. What are the benefits of distance counseling versus face to face counseling?
- Access to counseling services or specialized counseling services that may not be available in your immediate geographic location.
- Reduced costs and time that would be spent traveling to and from a physically located counseling office.
- The ability to receive counseling services from the convenience of your home or other location. Increased convenience may result in increasing or maintaining the frequency of counseling sessions resulting in improved counseling effectiveness for your situation.
- The ability to maintain regular counseling sessions if you are traveling (certain restrictions may apply depending on where you travel to and laws and procedures in those states regarding distance counseling).
- The ability to maintain regular counseling sessions if you are homebound for whatever factors (adverse weather conditions, temporary or chronic illness, childcare issues, etc.).
4. What are challenges with using distance counseling?
- Not all clients are suitable for distance counseling services for various reasons.
- A client's presenting issues or situation may be best suited to face to face counseling services. For example, a client who is in a crisis situation and at risk to himself may be best served by a local mental health professional and resources available in his community.
- Issues of safety, accurate understanding, accurate communication, poor impulse control, and/or poor judgment may also hinder effective or safe use of distance counseling.
- A client may live or travel to a geographical location outside of where the counselor can ethically practice.
- Lack of adequate technology services, required devices for distance counseling services, or lack of skill or comfort in using technology effectively may hinder or prohibit distance counseling services.
- A client may lack having a private and secure space in their home or office to use distance counseling services with confidentiality.
- Disinihibition may occur with counseling services in general, but this effect may be heightened through distance counseling methods. Disinhibition is feeling vulnerable that may result in a client feeling more uninhibited, expressing themselves more openly, and saying or doing things that wouldn't normally be done or said in a face to face interaction.
- Other risks associated with counseling in general, regardless of whether counseling is delivered with distance methods or face to face, can also occur with distance counseling. Though all potential risks cannot be foreseen, your counselor will attempt to inform you of expected potential risks specific to your work.
- For clients who choose to file out of network benefits to their health insurance companies, note that distance counseling may not covered by insurance.
5. What makes a counselor qualified to offer distance counseling?
Sojourners Rest Counseling utilizes distance counseling services based on ethics and best practices that are currently available. Counselors at Sojourners Rest Counseling practicing distance counseling are certified as a Board Certified Telemental Health Provider. This certification requires additional education, demonstrated proficiency, and continuing education on the application of distance counseling practices and ethics. Counselors at Sojourners Rest Counseling also practice distance counseling with specialties within their scope of training and experience, utilize secure and HIPPA compliant technologies to ensure confidentiality and safety with sessions, and adhere to specific policies and procedures used to promote effective and safe use of distance counseling.
6. How much does a distance counseling session cost?
The cost for a distance counseling session is the same cost as a face to face in person session. Please see the Scheduling and Fees section of the website for current rates.
7. I am interested in the use of distance counseling. How do I get started?
Getting started in using distance counseling requires a few simple steps.
New and current clients will complete the following:
- Distance Counseling Policies and Procedures/Consent Form- read, sign, and date this online using the secure client website.
- Provide a proof of identification with a current address such as a driver's license.
- Your local emergency number will be recorded
Following completion of these procedures, clients can conveniently self schedule their video conference or phone session on the secure client website.
Click on the attached forms below to download detailed instructions on how to set up distance counseling services for individual or couples counseling.
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