Virtual Counseling
Problems arise, but they should not impede therapy.
You have to work late, again.
But you need to get this issue off your chest. It’s been building up for weeks, and you can’t just put it on hold. You were counting on this session to get you through.
You’re stuck at home because of a virus.
But you’re sick of feeling confined to such a small world. The walls are closing in, making your depression even worse. Day by day, you feel your mood going down, down, down.
The roads are bad. Again.
But your relationship needed help yesterday! You have a list of things you wanted to discuss, and it’s growing daily. You don’t want to reach a breaking point and make a move you’ll regret.
You just looked up my address and your heart sunk.
“That’s way too far away,” you thought. You don’t have extra time to travel. But you sure feel like I’m the best fit that you’ve found.
All these problems can be overcome with virtual counseling.
Your progress is my primary concern.
Just because you’re not in my office doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the quality of the help you receive from your counseling session.
We can start online with the initial assessment or continue current sessions virtually whenever you need them.
Whatever works best to get you the help you need.
You schedule sessions just like regular appointments, and they are billed through insurance or privately at the same rate.
You already have what you need.
You don’t have to be a “techie” for this.
We can connect over your cell phone or computer with HIPPA-compliant confidentiality.
My virtual waiting room is at: www.doxy.meBraeburn. (Facetime via any Apple product also works.)
Get the most out of your virtual session.
A little preparation can make sure our time together has the same impact. Here’s how:
- Let others in your household know when you will be in session, so they can prepare not to interrupt you.
- Take 5-10 minutes before your appointment to mentally reflect on what you want to discuss. This time replaces the natural break you get from traveling to an office and spending a few minutes alone in the waiting room. Use this pre-session time to write down anything upon which you want to focus.
- Choose a quiet place where your privacy will be secure. Psychological safety is necessary for the level of transparency needed in successful counseling. If you are concerned that your voice will carry to other rooms, place a fan or speaker playing white noise just outside your door. Do whatever it takes for you to feel safe.
- Plan to sit down and focus your attention during the session. While you should feel relaxed, you don’t want to be too casual. This is not the time to sort your laundry or empty your dishwasher. You are paying for a professional who takes your mental health seriously.
- Make sure you won’t be distracted by noise from a nearby TV, radio, etc. Earphones are recommended since they both drown out ambient noise and block my voice from others nearby.
- Log in to www.doxy.me/Braeburn to check your internet or phone connection from the place you have chosen. You don’t want it to cut out in the middle of an emotional moment. If you anticipate an especially heavy session, we’ll practice some grounding techniques in advance, should you incur a sudden technology glitch.
- Have all the things at your disposal that you would if you were in my office. These may include a box of Kleenex, a drink, a piece of paper, and a pen. Gather anything else you usually bring to a session, such as your journal, follow-up homework, or a book you are reading.
- Turn off the volume on your phone or computer that alerts you to non-urgent texts or emails from your office or friends. You deserve to give this your undivided attention.
With a little preparation, our work together will be successful.
I’m confident that by taking these steps, our time together will be useful and productive toward improving the quality of your life.
With virtual sessions, you never have to go without the help you need.
Still unsure? Contact me today by calling (630) 999-8151 to see how it works.