by Dave Turo-Shields, LCSW, CEC
First, what is phone counseling? The name pretty much tells it all. Phone counseling takes place between a therapist and a client. The numbers of individuals seeking help online by searching for “phone counseling” are rising each month and have been for over 8 years. On my site someone will read about the service, pay online for a session, then my intake coordinator calls and schedules an appointment usually within 24-48 hours from payment. This makes turn-a-round time very quick. Contrast that with the normal wait periods of the majority of hospital clinics of 2 to 3 weeks before one can be seen for an intake session. Other times, a client may have questions so they might email first, asking for clarification or wondering if we can help with their particular problem.
Just How Private Is Phone Counseling?
Phone counseling is incredibly private. Now, having said that, I must add that normally the biggest chance for breach of privacy during a phone counseling session is if someone at home or at the office picks up the line while the session is in progress. Many choose to use their cell phones, thereby eliminating immediate interruption. But I have to remind folks that if their spouse looks over the cell records they may ask about what that call was about. Yes, many spouses don’t want even their spouse to be aware they’ve reached out for help for one issue or another.
One-On-One Live Counseling Compared To Phone Counseling
Even though my therapy team was an early pioneer of online and phone counseling, starting in 1998, I will still tell you that nothing beats a live session. There is so much that is communicated in the moment that is not spoken and in phone counseling you miss out on these powerful non-verbal cues. However, having said that, the type of person who seeks out phone counseling have said in surveys, that they would have never sought therapy if they hadn’t had the option of phone counseling. In fact, over 95% of those surveyed who had sought out this service say they wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.
Here is some very interesting information about phone counseling. Phone clients are much more apt to cut me off when heading down the wrong path. I love that!! Why? Because we get to what counts much quicker.
Phone clients also tend to share more deeply very quickly. There’s something about being behind a phone that feels safer and therefore clients disclose private information easier than in face-to-face. These are two fantastic facts that lead to a shorter number of sessions to complete our goals.
Phone Therapy Fits Busy Schedules
Those who are attracted to phone counseling love the convenience of it. For example, I’ve counseling people while they were on a train, in an airport, commuting to or from work, changing a diaper, on lunch break at work and at work in the privacy of their own office. This list could go on.
We all live in a busy world with busy lives. This is one way practitioners can adapt to people’s lives. Clients are very grateful for it. Other clients suffer so severely from issues such as agoraphobia that they cannot leave the house. We’ve counseled and prepared people to leave the house while on a cell phone and work directly with their anxiety right in the moment. Now that’s meeting a client exactly where they are at.
Phone Counseling Must Be Really Expensive, Right?
You will be happy to find that phone counseling is no more expensive than sitting down for a live session. In fact, it saves you money! When you factor the costs associated with taking time off work, travel to and from sessions, child care etc., you begin to see the savings really add up.
Doesn’t Phone Counseling Bring Less Connection With The Therapist?
That couldn’t be farther than the truth. I must admit, ten years ago I had my doubts about phone counseling. But, it only took me a couple of clients to experience the fast and powerful rapport that develops even over a single phone conversation. What you lose in body language, is made up for in inflection, warm and professional guidance.
Will Your Insurance Carrier Cover Phone Counseling?
Very few insurance companies cover phone counseling as of the writing of this. However, due to the capitalistic nature of these organizations, just as soon as they see an opportunity to have more efficient therapy, for shorter duration of time. That equals less money paid out to providers and more in their pockets, you can be assured they will be jumping on board. Just last year my counseling practice was sought out for deliver of Employee Assistance Program (EAP) sessions for 8 organizations in South Dakota. We recently renewed that contract and now provide email and phone counseling assistance to over 8000 employees.
On the other hand, do you really want insurance companies to know your very private information? I run a cash practice near Indianapolis, Indiana. Many of our clients come to our center for the privacy. And we’ve all heard about the dreaded “pre-existing conditions” most insurance companies have. Keeping your counseling private can save you insurance dollars or even prevent you from being turned away by your next insurance company.
Can Anyone or Everyone Benefit From Phone Counseling?
This service is not for every client. Clients who are suicidal or feeling scared they may hurt someone else needs to call 911 or the national help line at 211. If you’re in this type of crisis you need local care immediately.
Phone counseling brings many benefits. If you’re stuck in life, and we all occasionally run into walls in life, then you should strongly consider phone counseling. It’s fast, works with your busy schedule and returns great results from those who’ve participated. You should give it a try.
About the Author:
Phone counseling meets you where you’re at.. any time, on your schedule and it’s cost-effective, private and works. Go on over to http://www.CounselingPros.com and learn what you need to in order to make the right decision for you.
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