Therapy sessions that take place online are also known as virtual therapy, online therapy or video counselling sessions. There is significant research evidence to suggest that online or virtual therapy works just as well, if not better than, in-person sessions. (Wagner et. al., 2013, Hyler et. al., 2005)
SESSIONS AVAILABLE
THE SESSIONS
Online sessions are fifty minutes long. They take place at the same time and on the same day each week, week on week. There are regular reviews of the work as the therapy goes along. In terms of duration, the work continues on for as long as there is work to do. And when you want to end, if you can give a couple of sessions notice, we can end the process more consciously.
COMMITMENT
Engaging with counselling or therapy is “work” and dealing with personal issues may require courage and commitment as some matters can be painful at times. With the support of the therapist these can be worked through with a view to making them more manageable. Commitment simply means that therapist and client are happy to commit to working together on the issues of concern.
CONFIDENTIALITY
All of the work is confidential. Exceptions to this are for working safely and are covered in the first session. You can also view these using the Terms & Conditions link at the foot of this page.
VIRTUAL THERAPY SET-UP
Equipment
In order to participate in an online session you will need to have the following equipment:
- a computer PC, laptop or iPad. (Mobile phones are NOT suitable)
- a webcam
- a strong solid broadband connection. (This link – https://broadbandspeedtest.ie/ – can assist in finding the strongest broadband signal location in your building)
- headphones
A Safe Space
You will also need to have access to a space in which you:
- will be able to talk freely, i.e. without risk of being overheard
- will not be disturbed or intruded upon for the 50 minute duration of the session.
In other words a private and safe space.
ACCESSING THE SESSION
You do not need to have any prior experience of making video calls
Before each session the following will be sent to you by email:
- Instructions on what to do
- The Zoom link to get into the session
- A password to access the session
GETTING READY FOR YOUR FIRST ONLINE SESSION
Preparation for the first session involves the following six steps:
- Agree a session time
- Complete and return the Intake form
- Read the Informed Consent document
- Pay for the session
- When the Intake form and payment have been received, the Zoom link for the session is sent to you by email
PREPARING YOURSELF FOR YOUR FIRST SESSION
Having something of a sense of what you want from your therapy can help.
Some questions you might like to ask yourself beforehand are:
- What is the main issue that is of concern to me at the moment?
- Is there anything that makes it better or worse?
- What are my hopes and expectations of the therapy process?
- What is motivating me to want to change?
- What is it that is bringing me here at this particular point in time in my life?
THE FIRST SESSION
In the first session, we go through the Informed Consent document together until you are happy and clear about everything.
In the first session, you are free to start where you would like to begin. You may want to focus on some of the questions mentioned above or you might have something in particular that you really want to offload. At the beginning, especially if you are concerned about what you will talk about, you can make a few notes to support yourself.
AFTER THE FIRST SESSION
You may have decided in the first session that you wish to proceed, or you may wish to take some time after the first session to think it over.
If you decide to go ahead, then we can arrange another session time.
CANCELLATION POLICY
The aim is to meet at the same time each week, week on week, and to try and give each other as much notice of upcoming absences as possible.
Please give a minimum of twenty four hours’ notice if you wish to cancel a session.
There is a 24 hour cancellation policy in place which means that if you are unable to attend your session appointment for any reason, you will be charged the full session fee, unless you provide twenty four (24) hours of notice.
