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I was eager to get messages from my therapist. Another continued activity was the orientation day which counselors would usually carry out, within the pandemic, counselors committed to conducting them, however, virtually. Mallen, M. J., Vogel, D. L., and Rochlen, A. The social constructions give space for women to be in touch with their feelings, which is reflected in how women are more likely to reach out for help than men. By the end of this article, youll learn about everything you need to know to find out if online counseling is right for you. Learn. 8 Affordable Therapy Options for 2023 - Healthline Call the DMDC/DEERS Support Office (DSO): (800) 538-9552. Administ. doi: 10.25273/counsellia.v11i1.8802. Online counseling is NOT appropriate if: If anything on that list describes you, virtual counseling isnt a good option. Students in the middle and secondary levels were more capable of obtaining privacy and access to different means of technology, in one way or another than those younger. In October 2020, the ASCA surveyed 7,000 school counselors to collect data on daily challenges and the influence of the pandemic (Akgul et al., 2021). There was a wave of alternative options for every activity that required physical presence; accordingly, it is only fit that aspects related to students wellbeing, especially in such critical times, were developed. I tried entering "Friday" for every single counselor since it seems the passwords use all 6 characters and are either Friday series/story related/hinted in the counselor's profile/message area. After conducting semi-structured interviews and the FGD, the transcripts were analyzed and the themes were derived accordingly. I like how you mentioned that virtual access is easy to access to a trusted psychiatrist. Aust. The impact of COVID-19 on student experiences and expectations: evidence from a survey. Regularly, the counselor would engage with parents and their children to address personal/social, academic, and career areas. School dropouts in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. According to Focus on the Family's professional counseling staff, the road to recovery is likely to be much longer and more complicated for an individual engaged in an ongoing interpersonal cyber-affair than it is for a porn addict. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the research identified several significant obstacles to therapeutic relationships brought on by the digital space and social media, such as therapist privacy concerns (clients frequently search for therapist/counselor personal information online, which inherently affects the therapeutic dynamic), virtual impingements (through which online discoveries alter the physical therapeutic relationship), and a desire to internalize digital versions of the counseling sessions. In most areas, the cost of therapy is about $100 to $200. Thanks to this informative article and Ill be sure to tell him that he can try to consult a trusted virtual lifestyle psychiatrist as they can help him with his concern. There was discontinuity concerning school attendance because the first wave of COVID-19 that followed set a more fixed distance learning. 7, 141168. The American School Counseling Associations model includes programs that are equitable, data-driven, and respond to a diverse student population. But it's not suitable for everyone. The integration of the Internet and counseling is a new occurrence known as virtual counseling. I'm mindful of taking in as much information as I can with just sound - tone, volume, cadence and anything else I can sense to 'get' where the other person is, she says. Could it really be comparable to traditional face-to-face therapy? In the kids helpline study, the counselees age played a significant effect on which tools they chose (King et al., 2006). This is no different for face to face, online and phone counselling. 6, 169174. Others prefer phone from the outset - for both assessment and talking through how it will work. Appointments are scheduled for 30 minutes and typically last anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. Your therapist will support you to become aware of what you feel and why you feel this way, and help you to understand what you can do about it. Many counselors started to update their strategies giving students and families access to messages, calls, and video appointments. Structured time should be created for counselors to meet with students and even their families. Four different orientations for virtual counseling arose from their responses, namely, technical organizational-centered, counseling-ethical, and developmental orientations. milConnect: Benefits and Records for DoD Affiliates Counselor 4 who was in charge of middle school and high school elaborated that Students felt invaded in their personal space because all of a sudden everyone can access them, at any time. Despite the availability of interactive platforms, it is indisputable that the ability to communicate with students and the counselor in a traditional counseling setting cannot be matched in an online environment (Arrieta et al., 2021). Luckily, cost-effective mental health . Universities should acknowledge their existence and give the field of virtual school counseling the same thoughtful, critical research as it does to all the other relevant subjects. If you dont have a traditional therapist though, no need to fear. This is a great times for therapist to use online as a new way to treat people, because of people are doing more on online activities. A virtual counselor overcomes many of the literacy-related barriers to using traditional digital tools and highlights an approach that may be important to consider when collecting health histories from vulnerable populations. Virtual counseling was not a single method but rather a combination of the mentioned tools to ensure that efficient and suitable counseling takes place. doi: 10.5330/prsc.18.1.428818712j5k8677, Strear, M., Duffy, H., and Sunde, A. In case of emergency contact your GP or local Accident and Emergency service, says Rakhi. (2020) discussed that counselors and educators should set various guidelines to ensure a safe and respectful virtual environment. doi:10.1002/wps.20083. You need access to the internet and a smartphone. A study carried out by Tsan and Day (2007) was conducted to focus solely on the role of gender in determining students perception of counseling. 24, 341346. While therapy is easily the best investment you can make for yourself, you also have to look at your budget and make decisions accordingly. Some insurance policies don't cover online therapy and some online mental health professionals don't accept insurance as payment. These opposing views had to do also with counselors experiences with the students and how they viewed these tools to be reflected in students behavior, performance, and responsiveness to counseling. Covid-19: are school counseling services ready? Finally, one of the most specific issues was related to the internet and electricity. Talkspace - #1 Rated Online Therapy, 1 Million+ Users Even though youre not in the same room, the counsellor or psychotherapist can still help you to explore how youre feeling, understand what you are going through and support you to make changes in your life if you need to. Tracking dropout students in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. Is it better or worse than face-to-face therapy? The need for additional support during the pandemic, such as curriculum adaptation strategies, virtual lesson planning tools, addressing the loss of curriculum adaptation strategies, hands-on student learning, social and emotional support techniques, student engagement techniques in a virtual environment, and technical support, was difficult to pinpoint. Experts say the new normal in 2025 will be far more tech-driven, presenting more big challenges. I havent had a panic attack in years, but my depression lingers. While counseling has been established as a core aspect of school programs globally, this has not been the same case in Lebanon. There is slight information on using virtual counseling in the school setting. To learn about who we share your data with and why or to opt out, go to Sharing Settings. Educational systems all around the world had to adapt in very little time to new means of education to ensure that students are provided with the necessary education (Aucejo et al., 2020). The studies involving human participants were reviewed and approved by The American University of Beirut. With COVID-19, Ive even started doing online therapy with my own clients. Demographic information of school participants in focus group discussion. The use of asynchronous tools can allow school counselors to respond to students concerns throughout the day and allow them to have their regular sessions for academic and career-related purposes. My cousin mentioned to me last night that he is planning to have a consultation because he is having issues with anxiety and asked if I have any idea what is the best option to do. When you and your therapist are both connected by video link, youll probably spend a few minutes checking the camera position is ok and that you can both see and hear each other. What Are Some of the Drawbacks of Virtual Counseling? I was so worried it may be more difficult to accurately track shifting emotions, facial expressions, or body language via video chat. Understandably, frozen screens, echoing, low-resolution video feeds, and dropped calls are not conducive to the therapeutic experience. She also asks clients for an emergency name and contact number, as well as GP details. The internet has opened up new avenues for mental health treatment, but there are some pros and cons you should consider before you decide if online therapy is right for you. Heres a few related articles weve written about online counseling: Virtual counseling has gone by many names over the years. Profess. JMIR Ment Health. Family, friends, and support networks are welcome to join prospective students during admissions appointments, but we . Grades 9-12 - Counselor's Updates - Broward Virtual School Most providers offer all three options, though as a client you get to choose which modes work best for you. The results showed that the new changes and the counselors experience, along with the personal attributes of counselors and students, all influenced the efficiency of the counseling sessions. For example, if you have a serious addiction or have more severe or complex symptoms of a mental health condition, online therapy may not be recommended unless other in-person therapies or treatments are also involved in your plan. You can learn more about health behaviors and coping strategies that will lead to better psychological health. Psychother. The study also provided the training and coursework participating that virtual counselors underwent, which also acted as a guide for counselors new to the domain of virtual counseling (Lee, 2000). (2021) discussed that it was normal for the outbreak to cause anxiety and fear, but the anxiety and fear caused by the outbreak made it hard for students to fight the results of the outbreak. The practical aspects of virtual counseling: ethics, training, technology, and competency. Everything else is just someone elses opinion. (2020). What They Are: A dedicated online-based team of consultant therapists, cognitive-behavioral therapists, practitioners, and support staff that collaboratively works to help people in need of emotional support. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional, or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.Blunt Therapy relies on support from its readers. Some counselors shared that they were more flexible with having the counseling sessions done whenever they could, even after school schedule. Teachers perceptions toward school counselors in selected private schools in Lebanon. So, for the purposes of our discussion, when I refer to virtual counseling, Im talking about professional, paid services where the therapist youll be seeing has the following minimum qualifications: If you are dealing with a problem thats too big for you to handle on your own, I want you to get help from someone who is qualified. What Is Online Therapy? - Thriveworks Counseling Internet anonymity and the lack of reduced auditory and visual cues can make it harder for students to feel comfortable communicating with the counselor during face-to-face sessions (Zamani et al., 2010). Observing and sharing counselors perspectives on barriers related to virtual counseling can also assist educational institutes in preparing for virtual counselor training. The good news is that TalkSpace recently started accepting some types of insurance. CBT helps you to identify, challenge and overcome your dysfunctional thoughts, behaviors and emotions. Counselors perspectives on the benefits of virtual counseling have been highlighted in studies conducted in Scotland and Finland. Students who could not communicate privately with the counselor either omitted part of the information or had to use other methods for privacy matters which yet again made it difficult for the counselor to understand what the students were going through. The issues outlined by counselors were many but had a similar theme, which is that virtual counseling cannot replace in-person counseling. In a study conducted by Worth (2022), a school counselor explained that it was even easier for students to access the counselor during school time, and helping students access technology resulted in time away from providing virtual counseling services to students. If you are interested in trying online therapy, research your options before choosing an online therapy service. Many say theyll continue working in this way in the future. doi: 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2000.tb00341.x, Hunter, T. M. (2021). It is also important to inquire about what kind of assistance counselors need to interact with students and deliver counseling via virtual platforms. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.07.146, Keywords: virtual counseling, perceptions, technology, COVID-19, Lebanon, Citation: Jaber F and Al-Hroub A (2023) School counselors perceptions of virtual counseling in Lebanon: A qualitative study. doi: 10.4148/0146-9282.1153, Deslonde, V., and Becerra, M. (2018). The codes for the participants participating in the semi-structured interview were named counselor 1, counselor 2, whereas the participants being part of the FGD started from the beginning of the alphabetical order with the first letter of their name. You could be absent for a number of reasons or circumstances, including, but not limited to: Agency errors in scheduling appointments or transportation. Such information would be necessary for the counseling community to be able to serve the students in the school. (2015) suggested that virtual counseling interactions can also be used with parents to address the personal/social, academic, and career domains. Counselor 7 who was responsible for counseling all cycles explained, The attitudes of students in Cycle 3 are tougher since over the year they are less likely to be accepting of counseling and its importance.. Counselors were actively aware and engaged in ethical matters. Counselor Resource Center - FLVS - Florida Virtual School Cyber-psychotherapy. counselors are identical to face-to-face therapists, 48 Mental Health Blogs Youve Never Heard Of That Totally Nail It in 2021, Why Your Ex isnt A Narcissist (And You Should Stop Saying He Is), 5 Steps To Affordable Online Mental Health Care With Sesame, 4 Modern Therapies Revolutionizing The Way We Treat Autism, How to Choose Nootropic Supplements: A Beginners Guide, The Amazing Impact of Play Therapy on Children: A Path to Healing and Growth, How to Provide Psychological First Aid: A Comprehensive Guide For Mental Health Professionals, The Psychology of Giving: 5 Ways Altruism Makes You Happier, 7 Steps You Need To Take If You Want To Heal From Narcissistic Abuse, Whats Wrong With Using Should Statements? Take a look at their website or our Therapist directory listing to see whether they have detailed training or qualifications that are specific to online or phone (or telephone) counselling. Educ. My initial reaction upon first hearing of online therapy years ago was curiosity. College of Education, National Chengchi University, Taiwan. First, the sample size was small and represented only female counselors. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.03.411, King, R., Bambling, M., Lloyd, C., Gomurra, R., Smith, S., Reid, W., et al. doi:10.1007/s10567-016-0218-x, Baumel A. Online emotional support delivered by trained volunteers: Users' satisfaction and their perception of the service compared to psychotherapy. doi: 10.1080/14733140600848179, Kit, P. L., Teo, C. T., Tan, M., and Park, Y. (elementary and middle school levels) shared alternative measures specifically for upper elementary and middle school, which included text messaging or even conducting sessions in the car to ensure privacy and comfort for students. The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews as well as an FGD to create an abundant description of the counselors perceptions of the barriers and benefits of virtual counseling. A focus group discussion (FGD) was also designed to explore participants perceptions of virtual counseling. Informed consent was obtained from the school principals and counselors. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.10.453. Steele, T. M., Jacokes, D. E., and Stone, C. B. It was fantastic. Offers video, phone, and text-based sessions, All counselors are fully licensed mental health professionals. School counseling in Lebanon: past, present, and future. A close friend of mine, aware of my dilemma, passed along a link to an established teletherapy company that was hiring. The study also focuses on how the program should constantly be updated to provide the most efficient counseling. (2022). It is essential to establish a clear plan for virtual counseling services and support, and communicate it widely, especially to families and other members of the school community. Each one does things a bit differently, so Ill make sure to highlight anything that stands out. I like seeing my therapist in person. Counselor 1 (elementary and middle school levels) explained, The access to computers and devices at our school was also an issue. Until now, many students worldwide do not personally have a desktop computer or a laptop or even access to one. Counselors did agree that there were specific personal preferences among students; however, there were common issues that they could work on according to age groups. The process includes identifying and choosing individuals or groups of participants that are specifically well-informed on the phenomenon of interest (Palinkas et al., 2013). Unfortunately, there are millions of people in need of their services. When the checkbox value is yes another query filters for Available Counselors with yes values. Online therapy refers to psychotherapy or counseling services conducted over the internet. Seeing that distance counseling is still gaining momentum, I feel that sharing what Ive learned may be of use to both therapy seekers and providers. Home Terms of Service Privacy Policy Sitemap Subscribe to The GoodTherapy Blog. The monthly cost can be a lot for some of us. An elementary counselor shared struggles that she faced in trying to cater to both her house and school demands at the same time, being that there was no longer a partition between the two in terms of space and time. What can I expect? Cybersex, Online Affairs, Adultery, and Divorce - Focus on the Family Developing cognitive plausibility in voice-based virtual counselors requires a change regarding our conceptualization of AI-based conversational agents: as opposed to considering these as . School counselors input can help identify counseling-related policies and practices that are translated to virtual or hybrid contexts. I remember working to finish this course at a furious pace, thinking Id be working with people any day. DISCLAIMER: All content and media on Blunt Therapy is created and published online for informational purposes only. In the FGD, B.R. The Definitive Guide to BetterHelp Online Counseling, Ask These 3 Questions To Find Out If Online Therapy Is Right For You. If youre still undecided, ask yourself the following questions: If you answered yes to one or more of those questions, Id give online counseling a shot. Since online therapists are distant from the client, it can be difficult for them to respond quickly and effectively when a crisis happens. Counselling - NHS a difficult life event, such as a bereavement, a relationship breakdown or work-related stress. Lee, C. C. (2000). If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. Rakhi explains that when arranging phone counselling with a client, she ensures the conversation will be private and safe. A virtual tourist counselor expressing intimacy behaviors: A new Are you without insurance and unable to afford traditional therapy? Thanks for explaining that there are a lot of terms synonymous to teletherapy. It allows researchers to understand human experiences through questions that cannot be easily put into numbers (Al-Hroub, 2011, 2014). (2nd ed.). Visit their website to learn more. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. SAT Fee Waivers - SAT Suite | College Board Results indicated that female students in high school have higher scores on anxiety, depression, and negative self-concept. Its a great question. The experiences of school counselors providing virtual services during Covid-19: A phenomenological investigation. Counselor 7, who is responsible for all cycles, emphasized, When counselors see a student at school, they look for them and catch up with them, particularly in the hallway, however virtually such communication can be slowed down due to different factors. Baker and Ray (2011), in contrast, highlighted a disadvantage that the tools used in virtual counseling might impede the process, which results in clarification problems rather than focusing on the counselees goals. The final study was about the challenge of addressing mental health complexities (Worth, 2022). School counselor perceptions of a comprehensive school counseling model and implications for practice. Such issues all played a role in the results obtained. an elementary counselor shared, With the change of schedules, counselors were expected to be there for students and their parents at any time even if that meant at 10p.m. Counselor 5 (elementary level) added that Students come to my office to have their lunch, play board games, and have quick talks, when Im on recess duty they come to me and talk to me. While counseling in school was more structured and limited to school hours, being in school, however, facilitated students ability to approach counselors physically, even for a brief interaction. (2015), who shared that virtual counseling exchanges with parents are possible. Read the reviews, and don't be afraid to ask questions. In fact, people often tell me that their online experience has been more satisfying than their previous in-person therapy. (2021). If you think you're eligible, your school counselor or a representative of an authorized community-based organization will help you get a fee waiver. With the help of your counselor, you can use this technique to clarify your emotions .