What is Online Counseling?
Online Counseling is an interactive process with Connie Clark, PhD, CCBT, that occurs through email, instant online chatting, or on the telephone.
The process begins when you read the Client-Counselor Consent Form
carefully and then complete the
Counseling Questionnaire
and submit it. There is not a fee for submitting the Counseling Questionnaire.
Once you have returned your completed questionnaire, Dr. Clark will review it thoroughly and contact you by email usually within 24-48 hours.
She will let you know if she feels she can help you and if you are an appropriate candidate for working online.
Online and telephone counseling is paid for in advance when the appointment is made (see
payment options).
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Online & Telephone Counseling?
Advantages
- Convenience: Online counseling and telephone counseling allow clients to send, receive messages or talk on the phone at a convenient time with their schedule with a Christian Counselor in the privacy of their own
home, office or car.
- Accessibility: Online and telephone counseling is more convenient
for some people, due to geographic location or physical limitations. I'm available to help if you live in an area without any Christian Counselors available to you.
There are no long waits. I'll respond to you within 24-48 hours.
- Anonymity: Some people find that receiving counseling online or over the telephone bring about anonymity and in turn build trust quicker then in traditional psychotherapy.
This can mean that we can accomplish more in a shorter period of time.
- Benefits to Writing: Online counseling can be ideal for people who keep journals/diaries or find it helpful to write about their feelings. Writing can be a healing experience and it can serve as a tool for reflection, self-exploration, and insight into oneself and one's difficulties.
- Time for Reflection: Email counseling allows the Christian counselor and the client to have time to reflect and compose thoughts and responses carefully.
- Cost: Online Counseling is much less expensive than face-to-face counseling.
Disadvantages:
- Lack of Non-Verbal Cues: Due to the nature of online counseling, there is not a face-to-face session where the counselor can see the non-verbal cues of the client as there is in traditional psychotherapy.
- Lack of Physical Presence: Without the physical presence of the counselor, some people may experience a reduction of intimacy, trust and commitment that is normally in traditional psychotherapy.
- Typing Online: Online counseling requires typing and some people may not have typing skills.
Also, online responses can have several interpretations from the client and from the counselor.
- Lack of Online Research: Online counseling is so new that there hasn't been much research done on the issue of how it compares in effectiveness to face-to-face counseling.
- Breached Confidentiality: Confidentiality can be breached if emails are sent to the wrong address or if hackers or Internet service providers breach confidentiality in transit.
Extra safeguards should be considered when the computer is shared by family members, students, library patrons,
etc.
- Online Counseling Is Not For Everyone: Online counseling is not appropriate for all clients, including: people who are currently in crisis or feeling suicidal; people with serious emotional problems; people under the age of 18; people who are not willing or able to put their feelings into writing.
- Unable to Provide Diagnosis: Unlike traditional psychotherapy, online counseling cannot provide formal diagnosis and treatment.
When Is Online Counseling not Recommended?
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If you are thinking of committing suicide or having suicidal thoughts, you need immediate help that I cannot provide.
If this is the case, stop reading and call National Suicide Hotline: 1 800 784-2433; or American Suicide Foundation: 1 800 531-4477; or Crisis
Help Line (for any kind of crisis) 1 800 233-4357.
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If you are in physical danger or in danger of being physically or sexually abused, please contact the following.
Call 911 or Crisis Help Line (for any kind of crisis) 1 800 233-4357; or National Domestic Violence Hotline 1 800 799-7233
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If you are having thoughts of hurting someone else, call 911 or National Domestic Violence Hotline 1 800 799-7233
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If there is actual or suspected physical or suspected abuse of a child,
call 911 or Child Abuse Hotline 1 800 540-4000
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If you are in the midst of a serious emotional crisis or if you have severe emotional
problems, please contact a licensed mental health professional in your local area (a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, or licensed professional counselor).
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If you are unwilling, uncomfortable or unable to express your feelings in written form.
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If you are under 18 years of age. You must be at least 18 to legally consent to use my services.
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