Online counselling offers a lot of unique benefits, like receiving support from the comfort of your home, convenience, and perhaps even feeling more comfortable talking about difficult things from the safety of your personal space. And sometimes, like in times of social (or at least physical) distancing, online counselling is the only, or at least best, option available for us to work together face-to-face.
In light of this, here are a few points that will hopefully answer any questions you might have about this, as well as tips on how to get the most out of online sessions...
In light of this, here are a few points that will hopefully answer any questions you might have about this, as well as tips on how to get the most out of online sessions...
Online Platform:
I typically use Zoom Pro for all online sessions. Zoom Pro is an end-to-end encrypted and easy to use video-conferencing software. If you are unfamiliar with it, it takes just a couple of minutes to download onto your computer, phone, or tablet. You can find out more information about this software here, and read more specifically about their security measures here.
I will email you a private link Zoom before our session. All you need to do is click the link at the time of our session, and it will open up the video screen where we meet.
Location and Privacy:
If available, please find a safe and private space with the door closed before we meet, such as a bedroom or home office. If you're sharing your home with a partner, children, family, and/or roommates, then perhaps this means going to your (parked) car. If no private space is available and you feel comfortable, it is also possible to go on a neighbourhood walk where you feel you won't be overheard.
If other people are in the home, then you can let them know you will be busy for the next hour and ask them not to disturb you. Of course sometimes distractions are inevitable and interruptions happen (especially with kids at home!), in which case we can adapt and adjust as we go.
If you have any voice-activated devices at home, such as Alexa or Google Home, then please unplug these before the session.
Internet Connection and Patchy Connection:
Despite how much data you may have on your phone, I have found that the internet connection for video-calls is always stronger when connected to Wi-Fi or ethernet, if possible. Despite our best attempts, there are sometimes glitches and moments of patchy connection. If this happens, I will call your phone so that we can use the audio from the phone and the video from Zoom, to allow our session to continue without interruption.
Online sessions when you're already working from home:
If you're already working on your computer for most of the day, then I strongly recommend taking at least a 5 minute break between finishing work and beginning our session. This will allow some time to 'reset' and hopefully offer a transition period for your brain between work-focus and personal-focus.
Online distractions:
If it's possible to turn off all email notification, close tabs with notifications, and place your phone screen down (unless you're using it for our call) then this will hopefully allow us to go into our work together without distractions competing for your attention.
Practical Preparations:
Make sure you have some kleenex and a glass of water nearby, in case they are needed. Some people also enjoy a small ritual beforehand, like having a cozy cup of tea or a blanket around.
I typically use Zoom Pro for all online sessions. Zoom Pro is an end-to-end encrypted and easy to use video-conferencing software. If you are unfamiliar with it, it takes just a couple of minutes to download onto your computer, phone, or tablet. You can find out more information about this software here, and read more specifically about their security measures here.
I will email you a private link Zoom before our session. All you need to do is click the link at the time of our session, and it will open up the video screen where we meet.
Location and Privacy:
If available, please find a safe and private space with the door closed before we meet, such as a bedroom or home office. If you're sharing your home with a partner, children, family, and/or roommates, then perhaps this means going to your (parked) car. If no private space is available and you feel comfortable, it is also possible to go on a neighbourhood walk where you feel you won't be overheard.
If other people are in the home, then you can let them know you will be busy for the next hour and ask them not to disturb you. Of course sometimes distractions are inevitable and interruptions happen (especially with kids at home!), in which case we can adapt and adjust as we go.
If you have any voice-activated devices at home, such as Alexa or Google Home, then please unplug these before the session.
Internet Connection and Patchy Connection:
Despite how much data you may have on your phone, I have found that the internet connection for video-calls is always stronger when connected to Wi-Fi or ethernet, if possible. Despite our best attempts, there are sometimes glitches and moments of patchy connection. If this happens, I will call your phone so that we can use the audio from the phone and the video from Zoom, to allow our session to continue without interruption.
Online sessions when you're already working from home:
If you're already working on your computer for most of the day, then I strongly recommend taking at least a 5 minute break between finishing work and beginning our session. This will allow some time to 'reset' and hopefully offer a transition period for your brain between work-focus and personal-focus.
Online distractions:
If it's possible to turn off all email notification, close tabs with notifications, and place your phone screen down (unless you're using it for our call) then this will hopefully allow us to go into our work together without distractions competing for your attention.
Practical Preparations:
Make sure you have some kleenex and a glass of water nearby, in case they are needed. Some people also enjoy a small ritual beforehand, like having a cozy cup of tea or a blanket around.
These are a few of the tips and recommendations I have accumulated so far. If you have any questions at all, or concerns about virtual counselling, then please do let me know either beforehand or at the beginning of our session together. Thank you!