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- Overview and Comparison
- Benefits
- Our Goals
- Associated Risks
- Technology for E-Counseling
- Fees and Services
- Procedures
 Northshore Counseling and Wellness is pleased to offer online chat and email counseling sessions (known as eCounseling).
eCounseling Basics
eCounseling is a convenient medium for clients to discuss their issues. There is some debate among therapists about what eCounseling really is, and some therapists believe that eCounseling should work in the same way that traditional counseling or therapy works. Our staff believe that eCounseling offers a special and very needed type of therapeutic interaction that works in a different way than traditional psychotherapy.
eCounseling versus traditional psychotherapy
Both traditional therapy and eCounseling have their unique benefits. Here is how they compare:
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Therapeutic Element
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eCounseling
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Traditional
Psychotherapy
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Insurance Coverage
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Insurance does not currently cover charges related to
eCounseling. However, we offer very
reasonable rates and discount packages to make this service a worthwhile
investment.
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Insurance will cover traditional therapy costs if it is provided
for in the insurance plan. There are
some limitations by insurance companies about how much they will pay for a
session, as well as how many and what types of sessions they allow.
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Confidentiality
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There is increased confidentiality due to not filing
insurance claims. However, there are
some confidentiality concerns related to internet security, the possibility
of “tapping” or “hacking”, and the security of your computer system.
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Given the realities of insurance companies requiring
personal information and diagnoses about clients in order to pay a claim for
therapy services, this type of therapy decreases the privacy of your personal
information. However, it avoids issues
related to sharing information over a phone line or the internet.
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Information density
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There are limitations associated with not using
face-to-face contact (i.e., the ability to see someone’s expression or body
language). We will do our best to
overcome any such limitations if they arise by clarifying your
experience. And, we will guarantee
that we will give you our most focused and attentive counseling possible. Additionally, there since you feel more
“removed” from the therapist, you might feel more comfortable and safe during
the session.
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Because of the face-to-face setting for this traditional
therapy, there is more information immediately available to the
therapist. However, some people avoid
this traditional therapy because of the inability to the therapist’s office,
physical disabilities, psychological issues, or the social stigma associated
with going to the therapist’s office.
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Treatment vs. Education
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eCounseling focuses on
supportive counseling, problem-solving, and education.
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Traditional therapy has a broad range of therapeutic
intervention and depth-oriented approaches that are more suited to a
face-to-face setting.
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Meeting Times
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There is a great deal of flexibility about the “meeting
times” for eCounseling. You can work
with your therapist from any computer, no matter where you are. We can work with you during “after-hours”
times, including nights and weekends.
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There is a pre-set time and location for traditional
psychotherapy.
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Legal and Ethical Guidelines
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Since eCounseling is a “new” and “cutting-edge” service,
it is still in the process of developing commonly accepted rules and
guidelines. However, our staff believe in upholding the most rigorous ethical
standards in all of our work.
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There are very well established rules and guidelines for
traditional therapy, as it has been around for a long time.
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Benefits of eCounseling
In short, there are several reasons why you might consider eCounseling, such as:
1. It is effective: Research already indicates that this type of counseling with a trained professional can be very helpful.
2. It is convenient: You have control over how much you participate in this process, as well as where, when, and how you receive counseling.
3. Fast response: You will get a response from us within 24 hours to set up your first appointment (for chat sessions) and only have a short wait until the actual appointment. For email, you will get a response from us within 24 to 48 working hours. This compares nicely to the average wait of a week or two to attend traditional psychotherapy.
4. It is a cost-effective investment: The cost of using this service is reasonable, and you have the option to further reduce the cost by purchasing a package of minutes to be used at your discretion. If working with the email format, you have the added benefit of using any offline time to think through the message you want to say that it formulated the way you want and you maximize the outcome from the interaction.
5. It is private: Since you are in control, you can make this experience as private as you want to it be. The more removed sense of connection with the therapist (because your therapist is not looking at you) allows you to feel more safe and comfortable during the session.
6. Easy accessibility: You can access your email or chat from anywhere that you can get internet access. You are able to work from the comfort of your own home.
Goals of eCounseling
The goal of eCounseling is to provide solution-focused, support-oriented counseling. Every person has different goals when entering counseling, and each session will revolve around the specific goal laid out by the client asking for services. Except in rare circumstances, eCounseling is not intended to be a substitution for traditional, in-depth, face to face counseling, but instead offers a safe and convenient forum for receiving support, reflection, and feedback. eCounseling is an alternative process that is suitable for helping some people with some (not all) issues.
Am I a good fit for eCounseling?
Not all problems or people are appropriate for eCounseling. Much of the counseling process involves aspects that are most appropriately addressed face-to-face. If the counselor, client, or both, believe the client may be best served by engaging in live counseling, arrangements may be made for the client to see the counselor in person, or to arrange for an appropriate regional referral. A client at any time may request live, face to face counseling. Clients must also be able to utilize the technology necessary to communicate online either by email or chat.
Here are some other caveats that make a person a good fit for this service:
- Being 18 years or older;
- Not being in a “crisis” state where immediate intervention is necessary for your safety or the safety of someone else.
What are the Risks of eCounseling?
As with any intervention or service that you would otherwise solicit, there are risks associated with using this service. Here are the most common:
1. Lack of Intimacy: Because you are not in a face-to-face setting, there is a lack of intimacy which may inhibit a true connection and trust between you and your therapist.
2. Limited Assessment: Again due to the lack of in-person contact, the therapist will not be able to assess your body language cues or pick up on the nuances of tone that may be indicative of issues that need to be addressed.
3. Technology Failure: As we all know, sometimes our computers freeze up or just stop working. If this happens during a session, you might experience frustration. Please be see the following section entitled “What if there is a technology failure?” for more information.
4. Confidentiality Breach: We are using software to support the chat sessions that is believed to be very secure. There are number of steps that this software and email accounts take that pretty much guarantee the security of the information. However, there always remains the possible of a security breach, such as if you leave records of your emails or chat sessions where others can access them. There are those who are able to scan emails for certain key words as well. Although the likelihood of an “external” (by someone without direct access to the content of the communication) breach is very small, it is still possible. The bigger risk occurs if you don’t keep your communications secure (using a public or work computer for this service, not password-protecting your email account or profile).
5. Emotional Risk: As with any form of counseling, there is an emotional risk involved in undergoing counseling. As a client begins to reveal him/her self, it is expected that there may be painful emotional experiences associated with life that may be discussed. It is the belief of the counselors at Northshore Counseling and Wellness that this is a normal experience in the counseling process, and that one has the potential to come out of counseling having dealt with that pain successfully. In the course of working together, additional problems may surface of which the client was not initially aware. If this occurs, the client should feel free to share these new concerns with the counselor.
Technology Involved in eCounseling
Our eCounseling uses both email and live chat technologies.
You do have the option of using encrypted email for added security. If you are interested in this, there is a FREE option called SAFe-mail. You can set up your own free email account with them to communicate via email with us.
What if there is a technology failure?
If there is a technology failure on either the client or counselor’s part prior to a scheduled session, an alternative means of counseling may be arranged, or the session may be rescheduled for a later date or time. If technology fails during a session, the counselor will first attempt to reconnect to the client online. If that fails, the client will have been provided with a phone number to call the therapist to make further arrangements.
Fees and How to Use the Service
EMAIL eCounseling option.
You will from choose from the pricing packages below and submit your payment online with our PayPal button. Then, you will be able to send the therapist of your choosing an email (see email addresses on the payment page) regarding the area of your life with which you would like help. Here are some important things to include in the first email you send:
1. The words “Initial Email” in the subject line;
2. Information about the circumstances that are prompting your inquiry for help;
3. Things that you have tried to deal with the circumstance and how much they have helped;
4. Your goals from the email communication (i.e., what do you hope to gain?); and
5. Any other information you think is important to know about you or your situation that would help us to better assist you.
**Please allow us 24 to 48 working hours for us to respond to your email communication.
Here are the prices for our EMAIL counseling option:
First Email: $25.00
All Subsequent Emails: $20.00
Email Package 1: 5 emails for $90.00
Email Package 2: 8 emails for $145.00
Live Chat option.
You will choose from the pricing packages below and submit your payment online with our PayPal button. You will be able to pick the therapist of your choosing with the form on the Service Agreement page. We will respond to you within 24 hours to set up the chat appointment- in some instances, a chat could be set up immediately if desired.
We recommend that you use the above guidelines for Email counseling when you contact us about setting up your first chat session, even if you are brief in your descriptions, so that we have some basic information already at hand about you and your situation before we start the chat session. Also, please include “Live Chat Appointment” in the subject line of the email so we are prompt in getting back to you.
Here are the prices for our LIVE CHAT counseling option:
First 30 minutes: $40.00
Every 5 minute block thereafter: $6.75
LIVE CHAT package 1: 90 minutes for $110.00
LIVE CHAT package 2: 150 minutes for $180.00
With the LIVE CHAT package, you have the option use your minutes in whatever blocks of time you choose.
Important Note: If you choose not to use the PayPal method, you are able to send a check or money order to our address: 633 Asbury Drive, Suite A, Mandeville, LA 70471.As regular mail does take more time, it will delay our ability to get started working with you until the payment arrives.
What do I do if I have an emergency and it is not during my scheduled appointment time?
If any emergency arises, clients are instructed to call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room for help.
What if I want to stop counseling or I miss an appointment?
Counseling is a choice. One is not obligated to continue counseling, however, if an online chat appointment is made and agreed upon and the client does not reschedule or cancel an appointment at least 24 hours ahead of the appointment, the client will be charged $75.00 for the missed appointment. In the case of email, clients may take as much time as they wish to compose and reply to emails. Counselors will answer client emails within 24 hours.
If a client decides that they do not want to continue counseling for any reason, there will be no penalty assessed. The counselor will provide a referral at the request of the client if they so wish.
Does my health insurance cover eCounseling?
Probably not. However, we have taken that into consideration and believe our fees for eCounseling are both manageable and flexible. Please see the section regarding fees for more information. If at any point you decide to begin face to face counseling, Northshore Counseling and Wellness does accept a variety of insurance plans.
Will I be diagnosed with a mental disorder?
In Louisiana, LPCs are legally able to render diagnoses. However, this is most often the case when a client chooses to utilize his/her insurance to help cover the cost of counseling. If appropriate, the counselor may advise a client to see a physician in order to assist in the treatment of a mental disorder. If the counselor believes the client is suffering from a mental disorder, the counselor will inform the client of this belief and will work with the client to understand the disorder and the concept that the disorder does not define the client.
Counseling Techniques
Counselors use a variety of techniques to help foster growth and change. As each person is different, counselors utilize the technique believed to be most effective when talking with a client. Northshore Counseling and Wellness is committed to working with each individual client on the level and with techniques that the client feels most comfortable. Clients are encouraged to ask questions and work with their counselor to determine the best way to reach the client’s goals for therapy.
What are the procedures for beginning online therapy?
The first step towards beginning online therapy is reading this information and agreeing to the terms and conditions listed in the Service Agreement following this page. After agreeing to these terms, you will be directed to our secure payment page and counselor preference. Upon choosing the fee schedule appropriate for you, you will be given the necessary information to choose and connect with your counselor.
Who are the eCounselors, who will be conducting eCounseling, and what are their qualifications, experience, and credentials?
To see staff biographical information, please click on the staff link on the left side of this page.
So, if you are ready to begin, let’s go to on to the Service Agreement!
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