Telehealth may be one of the few good things that came out of COVID-19 restrictions in the early 2020’s. People now have the option of attending appointments in person or via telephone/ screen (eg: Zoom).
Speaking with your counsellor via telephone or a video platform (such as Zoom) is different to in-person appointments and may feel uncomfortable at first. Some people are now preferring Tele-health as a more flexible option.
How can Telehealth sessions help your situation?
Some people feel more relaxed in their home environment. Sessions are more flexible so can more regularly access sessions. It often does not take long for the session to feel as comfortable as in person appointments.
It eliminates travel time, reduces amount of time taken out of workday, decreases the need to arrange child minding, and assists with physical distancing if you have health considerations such as lack of energy, chemical sensitivities, and immune vulnerabilities.
How does Telehealth work?
I will send you the Zoom link usually on a Monday and you just click on the link for your session to commence.
How to get the most out of your Telehealth session:
Here’s some tips: Sit device on a stable surface to avoid screen moving around; find a quiet and confidential space, including your car if your home/work space is not private; a headset with microphone can improve sound quality.
Couples therapy works well via Zoom – just remember to be seated beside one another, and not on different screens in different locations. Couples therapy is about building connection and different screens does not help reconnect. Discernment counselling is suitable for separate screens.
Some people do prefer to attend in person.
Please remember face to face appointments are always available to you.
What is my experience with Telehealth:
I have received specialized training in conducting counselling via video platform. At this training, I learned that research into the effectiveness of counselling delivered via telephone or screen/online shows that this form of counselling can be as effective as in person sessions.
Since 2020, I have conducted thousands of hours via Zoom including internationally and nationally with couples and individuals in every state of Australia – and with people who live only a few streets away from my consulting rooms!