A quick look at the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How’s of E-therapy:
Who
E-therapy should only be done by licensed professionals who have met stringent educational and licensure requirements. Licensed professionals must adhere to state licensing regulations and to a Code of Ethics. Professionals should be transparent in informing potential clients of their license, credentials and areas of specialty in which they practice. There are many counselors who are dedicated to being experts in providing e-therapy in a safe, effective, and professional manner.
E-Therapy clients come from every walk of life. A person or couple may choose e-therapy because there is no counseling office near them that can meet their needs, they may be physically challenged in a way that makes going to an office a hardship, the client may feel the anonymity that e-therapy can provide is preferred, or prefer e-therapy for the convenience. Whatever the reason for considering e-therapy, the client and therapist should decide together if e-therapy is right for the client.
What
E-therapy is a method of receiving professional mental health services using electronic means. E-therapy can also be called online counseling, virtual counseling, tele-therapy or tele-counseling, and more. Also note the terms ‘counseling’ and ‘therapy’ are interchangeable.
Just like in traditional face-to-face therapy, the client and therapist will work together to meet the client’s goals. Going through the process of healing and growing in counseling can be difficult work, and the counselor is there to help and guide the client through the process. This can be done using a variety of counseling techniques and methods, including tasks and homework that can be completed outside of the session.
When
Counseling sessions will usually be scheduled in advance so that the client and counselor know when to ‘log-on’ for their session. There of course may be emergencies or times of crisis when the client needs to reach the counselor; it should be discussed during the first session how these times will be handled.
Sometimes it is necessary to meet for counseling two or more times a week, and sometimes it can be less often. The client and counselor will decide together how often to meet for counseling.
Where
The counselor’s license will dictate the bounds of geographic restrictions for the counselor and client. For example, under the current professional regulations for counselors licensed in Texas a therapist can provide e-therapy to a client as long as that client is located within the state of Texas. So, as long as the client is in Texas, they can log-on and receive counseling from their bedroom, living room, dorm room, on their lunch hour, or while the kids are sleeping in the next room. Two things that must be considered are confidentiality and internet connection.
The therapist must ensure that the session will remain privileged and confidential on the counselor’s end. And it is up to the client to ensure that wherever they are at there is not the opportunity for others to overhear things that are meant to remain between counselor and client.
Since e-therapy is done online, a secure and reliable internet connection is needed to avoid annoying interruptions like grainy video, scratchy audio, and such.
Why
As stated above, there are many reasons someone may wish to receive e-therapy, whether they are homebound, lack transportation, lack access to a counseling office, or something else. E-therapy can fill the gap and provide services to people who may otherwise go without.
How
E-therapy can look just like face-to-face counseling when using video to see and hear each other instead of sitting across the room. The therapist and client may decide that email or messaging can be used in conjunction with, or instead, of video. But no matter which means of counseling, the therapy should always focus on helping the client meet their goals.
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