Telephone or Online Therapy

Telephone and online therapy approaches are open for Adult therapy and for young people aged 12 years and upwards.

Speaking on the telephone or using an online platform is a useful alternative to meeting face to face. Dr Kirsty Bilski has worked with clients and professionals all over the UK using both of these methods, for many years. She therefore has extensive experience of working in this way.

Young people find communicating over the telephone or online very natural, these methods of communication have become part of contemporary culture. Parents and carers are often surprised just how useful young people find these sessions, although consent and support with the technology may be required.

As a client, or as a parent/carer of a young person under the age of 18 years, you will be sent a contract and information to complete, along with a distance counselling policy form. These will both need completing and returning prior to commencing therapy. These can be completed digitally and returned via email.

The preferred online platform is ZOOM, if you agree to undergo counselling sessions using Zoom then you will be sent a ‘meeting request’ 5 minutes prior to your booked appointment time. Zoom is a GDPR compatible service and is the preferred internet platform of ACTO (Association for Counselling and Therapy Online). It is recommended above other online platforms because of its security features and the use of unique meeting request ID’s and passwords which are automatically generated for each session.

Appointments are booked in the same way as face to face appointments and a lot of the counselling process follows the same processes outlined in the pages for Adult Counselling and for Counselling Young People, on this website. If you would like to book a session with Kirsty then please follow the link below to make contact with us. Kirsty will be in touch to arrange appropriate appointment times for you and to answer any questions you may have. The fees remain the same as for face to face sessions. There is a misconception that this approach to counselling is less costly however the amount of careful attention to detail and the mindful work of the practitioner remains the same.

The following is a list of aspects you would need to think about if you decide to book telephone or online sessions:

Session times & payments:

• These will be agreed and booked as per face to face appointments, follow the ‘contact us’ link to arrange appointments

• Sessions will last for 1 hour unless you have agreed to attend for shorter sessions

• Young people sometimes prefer a 45 minute session, see ‘counselling fees’ link for fee structure

• Please give more than 24 hours notice of cancellation, you will be charged for your session if notice is not given.

• To change or cancel appointments please text 07971 264251

• Fees must be transferred by direct credit on the day of the appointment. The account details are on the contract paperwork

• You will need to complete a contract and distance counselling policy prior to starting sessions (these are not lengthy documents)

At the time of your appointment:

• Make sure your telephone or computer has enough charge to cover the time of the session

• Make sure your internet connection is working and not likely to be turned off or interupted

• Make sure you are in a comfortable space which is private and you cannot be overheard

• You might find it useful to use headphones, they may improve the sound quality and your sense of connection with your therapist in the session.

• Be prepared to receive your call or meeting invitation (ZOOM) at the time of your appointment.

• Zoom meeting requests are sent to a designated email address 5 minutes before the session is due to begin

  
  Safeguarding and child protection

• The contents of your counselling appointment will be confidential, notes will be written after your session in the same way as for face to face consultation.

• The only reason for a breach in confidentiality is if your counsellor becomes concerned you may be at significant risk of harm. It will be important to form what is known as a ‘safe plan’ which may involve talking with others in order to help keep you safe.

• If you are under the age of 18 years, your counsellor may need to share information with a parent or carer, if you are considered to be at risk of harm.

• If you are under the age of 18 years and using a digital device to connect with your counsellor it is really important your parents/carers are aware of your appointment times so they will need to confirm their consent for your appointments.

  
  Data Processing

• All information retained about you is processed in line with data protection legislation and GDPR 2018

• Your telephone number &/or your email address will be stored on an encrypted document in order to make contact with you at the time of your appointment

• If you are under the age of 18 years, your parent/carer must give consent for you to be contacted using the information provided.

• No additional data is kept in relation to working online. Handwritten notes are made after sessions and stored in a locked filing cabinet in the same way as for face to face sessions.

• Your information and session notes are stored for 7 years and you can access your these during that time if you would like to. You would need to submit a subject access request to the Way Forward Centre. Guidance on how to do this can be found from the ICO.

• If you are under the age of 18, your notes will be kept until you are 25 years old. Notes are then destroyed in line with the requirements of GDPR 2018.

  Please feel free to contact us for further information by following the link below