Phone Counseling - How Does It Measure Up?
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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 sessions are private on the side of the therapist. We call out from our professional office building from our private line. I always remind clients that the biggest chance for breach of confidentiality is on their end of the line. Say that mom is on a phone therapy call and her teenage daughter picks up the phone. Most times you can simply tell her you’re on a call and she hangs up. To prevent this from occurring I suggest people pick times when they have privacy and with the use of phones, and even more so, cell phones, this is usually no problem to schedule.
Comparing Live Counseling Sessions With 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.
So what’s the outcome? I have found in phone sessions that we “get down to it” much quicker. Clients feel more empowered to stop you in mid-sentence and tell you straight-away if your approach doesn’t seem to be a fit for them. This is immensely helpful as it makes the therapist adjust to exactly what the client needs. This all makes for a much more efficient session and a happier client outcome.
Phone Therapy Is Flexible!
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.
I’m sure you’re beginning to see that phone counseling is a robust and quite flexible tool for you to use.
Phone Counseling Must Be Really Expensive, Right?
You may have already put this together from the previous paragraphs. How much would you estimate it might cost you to take time off work? Get child care? How much is it worth to you to travel to and from appointments? Live sessions across the US range anywhere from $65-$140 per hour. When adding in the items I mentioned above you can add another 15-20%. Using phone therapy can cost you 15-20% less than a scheduled sit-down appointment.
Isn’t Phone Counseling A Cold Way To Receive Help?
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.
Phone Counseling Wrap Up
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.
