Counseling over the telephone is convenient, confidential and provides clients with focused time to work on the same issues that are covered in office visits.
Issues such as depression, addiction, relationship challenges, vocational concerns and general life questions are addressed using a "solution focused" approach.
Telephone counseling is like "enrolling in a class" all about you. Sessions last from 50 minutes to 110 minutes and provide the client flexibility to call from whereever they are instead of having to commute in traffic to attend their appointment.
For individuals suffering from depression, anxiety or a range of other behavioral conditions, psychotherapy is often found to be the most beneficial treatment over the long term. However, therapy can also be extremely costly and require investments of time and energy that many potential patients do not have. In addition, many of those who may need psychotherapy most urgently, such as the physically impaired, are the most restricted in their ability to seek it out. A solution? According to many therapists, the telephone. A new study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry finds that psychotherapy sessions held over the telephone can significantly improve depression symptoms in as few as 16 sessions, scheduled once a week. Among those patients diagnosed with major depression, phone counseling reduced the incidence of their symptoms by a stunning 60% by the end of the four-month study period. The study's authors noted, however, that for most patients there remains no completely adequate substitute to face-to-face therapy sessions.
The flexibility in scheduling afforded by telephone counseling may also appeal to many busy clients. Telephone counseling may be a way to provide services to those who may be reluctant to seek counseling or feel threatened by a face-to-face interaction with a therapist.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is counseling over the telephone as effective as "in-office" sessions? There are many factors that provide for positive outcomes in therapy, but if a client is motivated and it is a "good client/counselor" match, counseling by telephone may be as effective as in person sessions.
How long are the appointments? Sessions are 50 minutes, although longer sessions are available and are billed at 25 minute increments beyond 50 minutes.
Do I call you, or do you call me? Clients are responsible for calling at the appointment time unless other arrangements are made. Clients will have a designated number to call for appointments.
What forms of payment do you accept? For your convenience, counseling may be paid for by Paypal, Visa, or MasterCard
What happens if I miss my appointment? The same policy applies as "in-office" sessions and a 24 hour notification is required if the appointment cannot be made. If the notification time is not met, the appointment may be billed for.
Telecounseling Considerations:
- Over the Phone Contact does not allow for the counselor to "read facial cues;" - There can be disruptions in telephone contact due to telephone line outages; - Some client's may not feel "over the telephone" counseling is personal enough; - There hasn't been conclusive evidence that telecounseling is as effective as face-to- face sessions and; - Whenever possible face-to-face contact if even on a one-time or infrequent basis may be helpful.