What is a Virtual Appointment?
Life Renewal is please to offer counseling via non-traditional methods. We offer telephone, video, and e-mail counseling services which are tailored to your needs. If you are interested in a customized virtual appointment program, please contact us at [email protected] The virtual appointment program ranges from e-mail packages where you purchase your desired number of correspondences with a therapist, 30 minute phone or video appointments, all the way to traditional therapy services provided via video with a licensed therapist.
Is a Virtual Appointment right for me?
That's a good question! While virtual appointments are very effective and can be more convenient, they are not the right choice for everyone. Making the decision about whether to schedule in-person or virtual appointments is very important. If you start out with virtual appointments and later determine it's not right for you, your counselor will schedule an in-person appointment for you or help you transfer to an in-person therapist if they do not provide in-person appointments.
There are some questions we recommend that you ask yourself as you determine which type of appointment is best for you:
1. Do I have any safety issues?
If you know that you are dealing with thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else, then a virtual appointment is not recommended for you. Serious safety issues like suicidal and homicidal thoughts need to be addressed in person where your counselor can have every resource available to help keep you safe.
If you are a victim of abuse or domestic violence, you need to have a safe, secure location and computer in order to utilize virtual appointments and this isn't always possible. Therefore, we do not recommend virtual appointments for those who are still living in an abusive situation. However, if you are trapped in an abusive situation and need resources to help you get to safety, we will gladly speak to you and help point you in the right direction.
2. Do I have the right technology?
For phone appointments, any telephone line is acceptable, however it is our duty to inform you that traditional, wired landlines are always more secure. We cannot ensure complete confidentiality when using a mobile or wireless phone.
For e-mail appointments, we recommend having your own e-mail account with secure password which is changed regularly. However, there is always risk when using e-mail because it is not 100% secure. It is up to you as the client whether this is an acceptable risk.
For video appointments, we recommend a computer, iPad, iTouch, or other device that was made within the last 5 years. Technology changes quickly and older devices sometimes can't accommodate the technology for video appointments. We also recommend an internet speed of 25mb/s or higher in order to ensure high quality streaming video, however we are willing to attempt video appointments as long as you have reliable internet access. Also, please understand that there are sometimes connection interruptions and video delays when using Teletherapy.
3. Do I have a safe, confidential space?
Many of the things people need to talk about in counseling are very private. We recommend making sure you have a private location to hold a video appointment and scheduling your appointment when you will be undisturbed. If you are concerned someone will overhear or interrupt your appointment, then virtual appointments may not be right for you.
4. What type of counseling do I desire?
There are many different types of counseling techniques available. If you are looking for traditional "talk therapy", then a virtual appointment will most likely be effective. Many different approaches to "talk therapy" can be provided virtually, including Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Psychoanalytic Therapy, and others. However, things like art and music therapy, play therapy, and eye-movement based therapies cannot be provided virtually. If you are unsure what type of therapy you need, we are glad to speak with you regarding making the right decision. If at any point your counselor believes another method of counseling would benefit you, it is our ethical obligation to inform you, even if that method cannot be provided virtually.
There are some questions we recommend that you ask yourself as you determine which type of appointment is best for you:
1. Do I have any safety issues?
If you know that you are dealing with thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else, then a virtual appointment is not recommended for you. Serious safety issues like suicidal and homicidal thoughts need to be addressed in person where your counselor can have every resource available to help keep you safe.
If you are a victim of abuse or domestic violence, you need to have a safe, secure location and computer in order to utilize virtual appointments and this isn't always possible. Therefore, we do not recommend virtual appointments for those who are still living in an abusive situation. However, if you are trapped in an abusive situation and need resources to help you get to safety, we will gladly speak to you and help point you in the right direction.
2. Do I have the right technology?
For phone appointments, any telephone line is acceptable, however it is our duty to inform you that traditional, wired landlines are always more secure. We cannot ensure complete confidentiality when using a mobile or wireless phone.
For e-mail appointments, we recommend having your own e-mail account with secure password which is changed regularly. However, there is always risk when using e-mail because it is not 100% secure. It is up to you as the client whether this is an acceptable risk.
For video appointments, we recommend a computer, iPad, iTouch, or other device that was made within the last 5 years. Technology changes quickly and older devices sometimes can't accommodate the technology for video appointments. We also recommend an internet speed of 25mb/s or higher in order to ensure high quality streaming video, however we are willing to attempt video appointments as long as you have reliable internet access. Also, please understand that there are sometimes connection interruptions and video delays when using Teletherapy.
3. Do I have a safe, confidential space?
Many of the things people need to talk about in counseling are very private. We recommend making sure you have a private location to hold a video appointment and scheduling your appointment when you will be undisturbed. If you are concerned someone will overhear or interrupt your appointment, then virtual appointments may not be right for you.
4. What type of counseling do I desire?
There are many different types of counseling techniques available. If you are looking for traditional "talk therapy", then a virtual appointment will most likely be effective. Many different approaches to "talk therapy" can be provided virtually, including Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Psychoanalytic Therapy, and others. However, things like art and music therapy, play therapy, and eye-movement based therapies cannot be provided virtually. If you are unsure what type of therapy you need, we are glad to speak with you regarding making the right decision. If at any point your counselor believes another method of counseling would benefit you, it is our ethical obligation to inform you, even if that method cannot be provided virtually.
Be informed about the risks of virtual appointments
While you counselor will do everything within their power to ensure your confidentiality during a virtual appointment, this method of counseling is not as secure as in-person appointments. Your counselor will always provide your virtual appointment on a secured internet connection in a private location, however Skype is not routed through a HIPAA secured server. Also, your counselor cannot control other people on your end who may interrupt your appointment. Your counselor also cannot control technical difficulties which may interfere with your appointment. If you pay for a virtual appointment which is cancelled or unable to be at least 75% completed due to technological difficulties, your counselor will gladly reschedule your appointment at a time convenient for you.
How will my Video Appointment go?
In order for video appointments to be smooth, we use a specific structure each time we meet. This is your time and I encourage you to make the most of it and to practice self-care by creating a safe and comfortable environment for yourself during our sessions.
Below are the steps we will use each time we have a video appointment:
1. Make sure you have a secure location for our call where you feel confident you have privacy.
2. Close any doors you need to for privacy
3. Alert any family members you feel comfortable sharing with that you have an appointment and ask not to be disturbed unless it is an emergency.
4. Plug in your computer or device or make sure it has adequate charge.
5. Make yourself comfortable-get a drink, wear your fuzzy slippers, whatever makes you feel safe and secure.
6. Gather any therapeutic materials we have been working with (books, journals, etc) so we have access to those things during our session.
7. Log-In to the private meeting room 5 minutes before your scheduled session. You will be placed in the virtual waiting room until your therapist initiates the session.
8. At the time of your scheduled appointment, your counselor will initiate the Teletherapy connection
9. When you answer the call, your counselor will verify your current location for safety reasons, and make sure we have an alternate contact method in case we get disconnected. We will also ask you to verify that you feel safe, have privacy, and confirm whether there are any safety issues at this time, like thoughts of hurting self or others.
110. We will have a great session :)
Below are the steps we will use each time we have a video appointment:
1. Make sure you have a secure location for our call where you feel confident you have privacy.
2. Close any doors you need to for privacy
3. Alert any family members you feel comfortable sharing with that you have an appointment and ask not to be disturbed unless it is an emergency.
4. Plug in your computer or device or make sure it has adequate charge.
5. Make yourself comfortable-get a drink, wear your fuzzy slippers, whatever makes you feel safe and secure.
6. Gather any therapeutic materials we have been working with (books, journals, etc) so we have access to those things during our session.
7. Log-In to the private meeting room 5 minutes before your scheduled session. You will be placed in the virtual waiting room until your therapist initiates the session.
8. At the time of your scheduled appointment, your counselor will initiate the Teletherapy connection
9. When you answer the call, your counselor will verify your current location for safety reasons, and make sure we have an alternate contact method in case we get disconnected. We will also ask you to verify that you feel safe, have privacy, and confirm whether there are any safety issues at this time, like thoughts of hurting self or others.
110. We will have a great session :)