Frequently Asked Questions about Online Counselling
For each session, you will be sent a link to a secure video platform. Clicking on the link will take you directly to the PsyChange waiting room. You will be admitted to the virtual counselling room by your online psychologist at the time of your appointment. It’s that simple!
You are welcome to use Zoom or Skype if you feel comfortable using those programs. They are not as secure as using our platform, but the most important thing is that you feel comfortable with how you connect with your online psychologist. Please let us know if you’d prefer to use Zoom or Skype for your online counselling session.
You will need a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone with video camera, microphone and speakers. If you can video chat with friends on your device, then you will be able to have an online counselling appointment.
Yes, you can, but a device with a larger screen is preferable.
Firstly, make sure that you have a quiet place to have the session where you will not be disturbed. This is very important. You will need to be in your home or office on your own or in a room where you will not be disturbed by family members or co-workers. If this is difficult for you to arrange, then a face-to-face session in an office might be the best option for you.
Secondly, make sure that your device’s video camera, speakers and microphone are all working before the session.
If you are trying to figure out what’s okay to do during an online counselling session, just think about what you would do (or not do) if it was a face-to-face session and that will help to guide you.
Of course, you are welcome to contact us, and we will happily answer any questions or concerns that you might have about online counselling.
Depending on the nature of the problem, there is good research evidence to suggest that online counselling can be as effective as face-to-face counselling.
On the “Online Counselling for Depression” page we talk about some of the conditions that might not be well-suited to online counselling.
If you are not sure about whether online counselling is for you, feel free to book in for a 20-minute complimentary online therapy session with your online psychologist so you can try it out before you decide.
Over the many years we have been doing online counselling, the biggest potential problem is related to connections to the internet (e.g., images freezing and dropouts). This is usually no-one’s fault; it’s just the nature of connecting over the internet at times. Mostly these problems are minor, but if they are significant, we will talk with you over the telephone as a back-up.
If you have never had online counselling before, the first session is usually focussed on getting a good idea of what the problem is (or problems are) and what you’d like to achieve from counselling. We might also talk about possible solutions or strategies to manage the problems or issues that you are struggling with.
Yes, of course!
No, unfortunately, I no longer offer telephone appointments. That said, there are other psychologists that will offer telephone appointments if that is your preference or you live in an area with a poor internet connection. Under the current telehealth arrangements, Medicare will provide a rebate for a telephone appointment when you have a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan.
I have decided against offering telephone appointments, as I feel that I can be more responsive to your needs and feelings during a session if I can see you in addition to hearing your voice. We know that developing a strong therapeutic alliance is an important component of effective treatment, and I consider that is more easily achieved by seeing each other face-to-face, even if we are not together in the same room.
Yes, I am happy to bulk bill a) people with a Health Care Card or Pension Concession Card and b) those wanting to attend treatment but experiencing financial difficulty.
If an existing client experiences financial difficulty during the course of treatment, I am open to reducing the fee or bulk billing to enable treatment to continue.