What is Distance Counseling?
This is an approach that takes the best practices of traditional counseling and adapts them for delivery to clients through technology-assisted counseling techniques. The methods I can employ include phone counseling, e-mail, web conferencing and online assessment.
I utilize distance counseling to supplement traditional, in-person treatment for those who live greater than 60 miles from Springfield. It is intended to make on-going counseling available to clients after their first “in-person” visit” if the distance to services is a barrier to our work together. Here are the four adjunct services I utilize in distance counseling:
1. Tele-counseling - Support and insightful discussion is done via telephone (landline only) at a designated time agreed upon by client and counselor. Client will call counselor.
2. Video conferencing on the web - Counseling can continue for clients through the internet videoconferencing program called Skype. Skype (IPA: ) is software that allows users to make telephone calls over the Internet. Calls to other users of the service and to free-of-charge numbers are free. Contact me for more information.
3. Internet communication or email - On-going counseling can be arranged via internet communication, through email, as well. This is arranged when the client chooses written conversations, typed from a keyboard at the computer.
4. Online assessment - Some clients may choose to take self, career or retirement assessments. These can be accessed online.
All above forms of distance counseling will be considered based on suitability factors following the first in- person session.
Factors assessed include the following:
A. How might personality type, concerns/issues influence the person’s suitability for distance counseling?
B. What communication methods are preferred by the client?
C. What expectations does the client have regarding distance counseling?
D. How might the person’s communication skills, computer skills, knowledge, equipment (telephone or computer) and internet access and privacy concerns affect the quality and/or appropriateness of distance counseling?
E. How knowledgeable is the person about online communication and relationships?
F. How might physical and medical factors affect online therapy?
G. Is the client environment conducive to maintaining confidentiality for issues discussed?
An informed consent form will need to be completed for distance, as well as in person counseling.
I would be happy to discuss the possibility of distance counseling further. Please visit our Contact Us Page for more information