Therapy & Skype

Skype online therapy service

Providing therapy using voice over the Internet with software like Skype is one way I provide online therapy that I find both effective and easy to use while keeping costs low.

You may feel talking without video, removes some of the worries, this can help to reduce any problems with embarrassment or anxiety; When you go to see a therapist for the first time it can find it's a time of some anxiety and a leap into the unknown. Talking to a stranger in face to face counselling about personal issues sometimes can seem worse than the problem you face, and this can stop you getting therapy when it could be the best time to do so.

So being able to stay unseen by the therapist for some clients can allow them to deal with problems sooner than they would normally do so and find help faster.It is generally accepted by all therapists that entering therapy in the early stages of any personal difficulty will allow for faster results and less time needed in therapy, for those who wait until the problem has got to the stage when it has had a major affected on their quality of life then it is generally understood that it is going to need more time in therapy to see any improvement.

It’s a bit like a person who has a fear of dentists who waits until their teeth are so bad, or until the pain becomes so strong that it over rides the fear of going to see the dentist; this leads to it a greater number of visits to repair the damage done when trying to ignore the problem. Online therapy is growing fast, do a search on the Internet and you will see more therapists using this new way of providing therapy over the Internet, I have provided this service for seven years and was one of the first to do so.

Face to face therapy will always be best practice for some problems such as working with suicidal clients or clients who are actively self harming. But for everything else it's a good effective alternative to use.

Positive benefits of online therapy

No problems with parking or looking for transport.
You can access a larger number of therapists.
No one need ever know you’ve consulted a therapist online.
You can receive therapy from the comfort and safety of your own home or at work.
You may find it easier to talk online about some problems you find embarrassing.
More flexible appointments, including weekends and late evenings.
Physical disability is no longer a problem.
Feel more relaxed talking about personal problems.
No need to sit in a waiting room before the appointment.
Online therapy can help develop the harmony between client and therapist more rapidly.
Online therapy services can help people in rural or remote areas
If You're working long hours or unusual shifts.
Confidential.
Lower cost.

Anonymous clients

You may wish to remain hidden and unknown totally to me (anonymous), this can give you the freedom you need to explore your situation or problem while lowering the anxiety you feel about talking to a therapist.

There are some considerations I need to take into account before entering into this, such as the severity of your symptoms and your safety before starting therapy with hidden clients.

The problem with anonymous clients is that I have no way of directing emergency help if needed, I am unable to phone or inform Doctors or the emergency services if a client needs help.I am a professionally trained therapist and I will not take on clients if I think this Internet service is not in the clients best interests or if the risks are to high.

Important please read

It’s secure and private, no one can pick up an extension phone and listen in, all calls are now encrypted to a very high universal standard with Skype. Anywhere you can connect to the Internet you can connect via the software, over a lap top or other Internet enabled device like a mobile phone.

But you must understand that there is some risk to privacy if you do not use security software and understand the implications of sharing a computer with others.

You are responsible for securing your equipment but we will talk about this and look at any problems. In the first online counselling session.

Keeping your PC up to date regarding the software you use and the anti virus and firewall security is important.

If you do not understand or are unsure you must bring this up in the first session and we can work over the issues. If you are not used to using a PC you must consider if this is the right way for you to find help and support as technical problems are possible.

You must also understand that online communications are reliant on software and hardware and this can lead to an abrupt end to a session, this will never be because the I the therapist has ended the call but you need to remember that although this is very uncommon it is possible and must be understood that it is beyond any control that the therapist has.

I recommend that you use a head set, some people have poor hearing and turning up the speakers can risk others overhearing the conversation so by using head phones this helps remove this possibility and the sound is usually better quality.

Skype Therapy

Online Therapy Using Skype

Video link shows how to install Skype

Sound only no video?

Therapy online with sound only

On some occasions when a client’s video camera has stopped working due to a connection or other issue they have expressed that it felt easer to talk and I felt that they seemed more open and relaxed.

I have now come to the conclusion that the voice only method is a more effective way of working online and for that reason I now only use voice communications for talking with client’s.

Some reasons expressed by clients why it’s better for them.

Less intrusive, non judgmental, feels safer, no need to worry how I look, on a more equal level, easer to talk, I feel more in control, less stressed, one less thing to think about, better connections.

Many more………..

So I only use sound online for therapy.