Phone Counseling - How Does It Measure Up?
A phone counseling session is just like a sit-down counseling session. You set an appointment, and at that time, your therapist calls you on the phone and give expert counseling advice for 50-60 minutes. The difference is that you don’t meet face-to-face.
Phone Counseling And Confidentiality
Phone counseling is incredibly private. Now, having said that, I must add that normally the biggest chance for breach of privacy during a phone counseling session is if someone at home or at the office picks up the line while the session is in progress. Many choose to use their cell phones, thereby eliminating immediate interruption. But I have to remind folks that if their spouse looks over the cell records they may ask about what that call was about. Yes, many spouses don’t want even their spouse to be aware they’ve reached out for help for one issue or another.
Comparing Live Counseling Sessions With Phone Counseling
Even though my therapy team was an early pioneer of online and phone counseling, starting in 1998, I will still tell you that nothing beats a live session. There is so much that is communicated in the moment that is not spoken and in phone counseling you miss out on these powerful non-verbal cues. However, having said that, the type of person who seeks out phone counseling have said in surveys, that they would have never sought therapy if they hadn’t had the option of phone counseling. In fact, over 95% of those surveyed who had sought out this service say they wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.
Most all of us have a need to please other people. A client sitting in a session should be focused on their needs, not the therapists needs. However, would you think a client still wants the therapist to like them in a live session? Phone counseling has taught me that there is a lot more of that going in in live sessions than we might like to admit. I came to that conclusion years ago as I noticed how direct phone clients can be. If they feel I’m heading down the wrong path, they’re quick to tell me. Other times, they share pertinent information that they may have held back for a number of sessions, maybe because they would have felt embarrassed sharing it live.
So what’s the outcome? I have found in phone sessions that we “get down to it” much quicker. Clients feel more empowered to stop you in mid-sentence and tell you straight-away if your approach doesn’t seem to be a fit for them. This is immensely helpful as it makes the therapist adjust to exactly what the client needs. This all makes for a much more efficient session and a happier client outcome.
Phone Therapy Fits Busy Schedules
In a fast-paced world phone therapy is incredibly flexible and you can fit it to YOUR schedule. Most times you have to work around a therapists schedule. I’ve counseled people while they walk, before they head off to work, during lunch time, while on a commute train to work, or in the car as they drive to or from work.
We all live in a busy world with busy lives. This is one way practitioners can adapt to people’s lives. Clients are very grateful for it. Other clients suffer so severely from issues such as agoraphobia that they cannot leave the house. We’ve counseled and prepared people to leave the house while on a cell phone and work directly with their anxiety right in the moment. Now that’s meeting a client exactly where they are at.
What Is The Cost Of Phone Counseling?
You may have already put this together from the previous paragraphs. How much would you estimate it might cost you to take time off work? Get child care? How much is it worth to you to travel to and from appointments? Live sessions across the US range anywhere from $65-$140 per hour. When adding in the items I mentioned above you can add another 15-20%. Using phone therapy can cost you 15-20% less than a scheduled sit-down appointment.
Isn’t Phone Counseling A Cold Way To Receive Help?
We know that the literature shows that all therapies have about the same level of success. What makes the difference is the alliance between therapist and client. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how powerful the connection can be, even in the very firt session of phone therapy. I’ve been counseling by phone for 10 years now. I don’t do things that don’t work! I like to see my clients making progress and happy in their lives. Phone counseling definitely answers the call, so to speak.
Will Your Insurance Pay For Phone Counseling?
Always call your insurance carrier and ask. I wouldn’t have recommended that until the past two years. Many insurance companies are beginning to see the benefits of online counseling and phone counseling.
My practice has had two EAP contracts in the last two years specifically to deliver counseling services through email and by phone. Most likely your insurance carrier will say no, but let them know when you call that it’s a service you’d like to see them cover in the future.
Phone Counseling Wrap Up
This service is not for every client. Clients who are suicidal or feeling scared they may hurt someone else needs to call 911 or the national help line at 211. If you’re in this type of crisis you need local care immediately.
Phone counseling is a smashing success. And don’t just take my word for it. Google “phone counseling research” and you will see that this approach is wildly successful and popular. The truth is that you, the consumer, are driving the need for phone counseling services. Every year the statistics go up. More people are searching for this service every month. Our job in the counseling profession is to meet you exactly where you’re at and offer the high quality services we offer right in our offices.