Virtual Assessment And Psychotherapy/Counselling Services
As technology continues to improve and become more prevalent in our everyday lives, more clients are now interested in receiving services online by video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc. or on occasion, by telephone.
If travel, scheduling, health or comfort are limiting factors to accessing services in-person, virtual appointments are an excellent option.
Why access Assessment and/or Psychotherapy/Counselling appointments online?
Traditionally, clinicians and clients have typically preferred to engage in service in-person. But times are changing and more people are becoming interested in accessing services online.
The most common reasons we hear from clients for accessing services online include:
Clients are unable to access the service they want or engage with the clinician of their choice in their current geographic region. Transportation required to access services in-person can be a limiting factor as well.
Clients find it easier to attend an appointment when there is an opening in a clinician’s schedule if time isn’t required for travel to and from the appointment.
Clients are able to be more efficient with limited time. For example, we have clients who access service while waiting to pick their child up from an hour-long activity or on occasions where they are unable to secure childcare.
Clients prefer to stay indoors for the evening or simply don’t want to brave the weather, particularly during the winter months.
Attending a psychological assessment or psychotherapy/counselling appointment can be an uncomfortable experience for some and being able to attend an appointment online in their home or office can make service more comfortable. Further, for some psychotherapy/counselling clients, attending an appointments initially online provides a potential bridging opportunity to attend in-person at a later date as they become increasingly comfortable with the service.
Mobility issues can present as a limiting factor to attend in-person for clients. And while we have a fully-accessible clinic, coping with physical discomfort or arranging travel can present as challenges.
Since the pandemic, clients have generally become more concerned with going out in public when they feel sick. There is also additional concern about going out in public during cold or flu season or when something is “going around”.
With improvements in technology, the ability to see the clinician’s face without the screen “freezing”, as well as hear their voice clearly, has helped to mimic the experience of in-person services. Both clients and clinicians are now able to monitor non-verbal communication such as facial expressions and better infer tone of voice. Recent studies are also beginning to show that virtual services can be just as effective as in-person appointments.
- As technology becomes more prevalent in our daily lives and people regularly engage in video chatting with apps like Facetime or participate in Zoom or Teams calls at work, utilizing video-conferencing services has become a regular part of everyday life for many clients. At our clinic, we use a secure video-conferencing platform that is compliant with Ontario’s Privacy Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Document Act (PIPEDA).
How Do Virtual Assessment and Psychotherapy/Counselling Appointments Work?
When you contact our clinic to make an appointment, you complete the same intake process that you would complete if you were attending in-person. You simply indicate that you would like to receive services online or via telephone. If you would like to learn more about what to expect when you call Sullivan + Associates, please click here
For anyone who is uncertain how to download the video conferencing app to access online service, our Client Care Specialist will provide detailed instructions about how to do so.
Two days prior to your appointment, you will receive an email from our clinic with a clickable link that will allow you to connect to our video conferencing platform.
How To Prepare For A Virtual Appointment?
Prior to the appointment, it’s helpful to ensure that both your personal environment and technology are optimal for the appointment.
With your personal environment, it’s ideal to select a space where you feel comfortable and are confident that the meeting will be confidential.
With technology, it’s important to ensure that your voice can be heard clearly. This would involve checking that the volume is unmuted and the speakers are connected properly. You may also wish to use a microphone or a headset/ear buds to enhance the auditory experience.
For the visual aspect of the meeting, it’s to important to confirm that your camera is operational and turned on.
If you experience any difficulties installing the video conferencing app, or difficulties with troubleshooting audio or visual difficulties, please feel free to call our clinic at 807-768-0660 or toll free at 888-269-0237 and our in-house I.T. person, Joshua Sullivan, will be happy to assist you.