Can Tele-health counselling work for you?

As a result of COVID-19 restrictions, Medicare rebates for counselling are now available until late September when sessions are conducted via telephone or video platform (eg: Zoom) This service is called Tele-health. People now have the option of attending appointments in person or via telephone/ screen.

If you are considering Tele-health, here is some information to help prepare for your appointment.

Speaking with your counsellor via telephone or a video platform (such as Zoom) is different to in-person appointments and may feel uncomfortable at first. I’m noticing that some people are now preferring Tele-health as a more flexible option. It eliminates travel time, reduces amount of time taken out of work day, eliminates the need to arrange child minding, and assists with physical distancing. It often does not take long for the session to feel as comfortable as in person appointments.

Recently, I attended training hosted by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and the Mental Health Professionals’ Network on the topic of counselling via screen and telephone.

The webinars cited research that counselling delivered via telephone or screen/online can be as effective as in person sessions. Some people feel more relaxed in their home environment. They are more flexible so can more regularly access sessions.

Various tips were suggested to help people gain the most from their Tele-health sessions such as: sit device on a stable surface to avoid screen moving around; find a quiet and confidential space, including your car if your home/work space is not private; a headset with microphone can improve sound quality. The use of feedback forms can help people to express their feelings about the session and to make requests for next session.

On my webpage, I have included a feedback form located under Resources. It is important that we look for ways to maximum the benefits from this new form of counselling until we can meet in person.

Some people do prefer to attend in person. Please remember face to face appointments remain available to you.