Information on Online/Telephone Therapy

Online/Telephone therapy refers to therapy conducted via the internet or telephone. Some people may prefer to use video conferencing so that we can see each other as we speak, and some may prefer to use only audio. We encourage you to try video conferencing for therapy.

Some things you may enjoy about online/telephone therapy:

  • Flexible scheduling – Therapy at a time, place and pace that suits you
  • Therapy from your own home (you can create a comfortable and private space in your own home from which to attend therapy)
  • For those who have busy schedules and are unable to go to a therapy appointment this may be an option in saving travel time and making appoints around your work or schedule.
  • For people who are time restricted and cannot easily come out to practice (e.g. people without ready available childcare or caregivers of elders that cannot be left unattended).
  • We will be able to continue our work together despite the pandemic.
  • Increased access to therapy for individuals with physical, medical illnesses and/or mobility challenges
  • Increased access to services in areas with few mental health resources or resources that suit your needs (e.g. during pregnancy, postnatal (after birth), pre- and post-surgery, child care commitments and/or various cultural needs)
  • Increased access to therapy for individuals who may have difficulty attending therapy on-site (e.g. anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder or social phobias)
  • For those who are more comfortable seeking online help than face to face assistance.
  • More culturally appropriate services for some groups in society (e.g. gamers, people who engage in a high amount of internet usage, technologically advanced people, people who work in the technology industry, certain cultural groups that prefer remaining at home).
  • It could also be more attractive for some groups such as teenagers who are very familiar and comfortable with communication via the internet therefore it may increase the likelihood of engaging in therapy.
  • Secure inscription software offers confidentiality and peace of mind
  • No chance that you may be seen entering the counsellors practice
  • Access to therapy may be more immediate
  • Flexibility to choose the technology you feel is best for you: telephone or online therapy
  • Research shows that online/telephone therapy is as effective as in-person therapy.

Things to consider

  • Are you comfortable using internet technology?
  • Do you feel you will be able to explore your situation via online therapy services?
  • Do you have access to a secure computer or mobile device that you can use privately without interruption?
  • There may be a reduction of information such as the lack of non-verbal cues especially for telephone therapy.
  • Challenges that are commonly associated with technology. Equipment failure (e.g. the computer hard-drive may become corrupted beyond retrieval), messages may not be received (e.g. by being sent to the wrong address) or confidentiality breaches (e.g. by internet hackers or by others accessing the email account or computer).

Guidance

We encourage you to treat the online session as you would an in-person session and implement as many of the same boundaries as possible.

Find a comfortable space with complete privacy. This could be a comfortable armchair, your office desk, your garden, parked car. We suggest sitting on something where your back is supported.

You may wish to put a note on the door of the room requesting that other people not disturb you except in an emergency.

We encourage you to use headphones or earphones. This keeps the content of our sessions private, improves sound quality and also minimises distractions. You may wish to switch the T.V. or radio on in the next room to decrease the likelihood of people overhearing you.

Give yourself time after the session to process the session before re-joining your family, working or making other calls.

Technical Instructions

When you book an appointment, you will receive a confirmation email. The email contains the link for you to join the session at the scheduled time and additional information.

We recommend accessing your session via Chrome. Please ensure you have the latest version of Chrome downloaded. This will assist you to have a better online experience for your session.

Video Conferencing Platforms

We use a secure video conferencing platform in order to protect our privacy and confidentiality. Our calls cannot be intercepted or recorded without our knowledge (as far as we are aware).

It is highly recommended to download the online platform prior to our session in preparation and for ease of access (such that any issues can be managed in advance and not during the session), however no prior download is necessary and you may connect directly from the link provided in your confirmation email.

If you download the online platform, we recommend you check that you have the latest version of the online platform (Zoom, Doxy.me or Google Meet) used in your online session. These checks will assist you to have a better online experience for your session.

When the online platform is not available, we may use another easily accessible platform or may use video calling (this will be discussed and agreed in the therapy contract).

Bandwidth Requirements

The call quality on the online platform is usually very good. You are able to connect online via Wi-Fi or 3G/4G or an Ethernet connection. Usually, if your internet is good enough to stream YouTube or Netflix, it is good enough for video conferencing.

We advise that your internet speed is higher than 15 Mbps. You can check your internet speed on Internet Speed Test . If your internet speed is below 15 Mbps your participation via camera and microphone will be limited and may effect the quality of your online session. If your internet speed is below 15 Mbps please Google “How to increase internet speed” for suggestions.

We recommend closing all other browser windows and programmes running in the background to make the online therapy streaming quality as good as possible.

Troubleshooting

In the event that it is not possible to connect using a video conferencing platform, it is recommended to try to reconnect three times and then communicate via mobile video calling or voice calling. We may also decide whether to reschedule if alternative methods of communication are not an option at the time.

Online Contract and Communication

We recommend that you confidentially store all documents and communication for your privacy. Online signatures are acceptable and can be used to sign documents.

If you have any other questions…

When you book your initial appointment you will be provided with additional information about your sessions. If you have any questions or would like further information, please feel free to contact us.