Phone Counseling - It’s What’s For Dinner!
August 22nd, 2008 by Dave Turo-Shields, LCSW, CEC
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First, what is phone counseling? The name pretty much tells it all. Phone counseling takes place between a therapist and a client. The numbers of individuals seeking help online by searching for “phone counseling” are rising each month and have been for over 8 years. On my site someone will read about the service, pay online for a session, then my intake coordinator calls and schedules an appointment usually within 24-48 hours from payment. This makes turn-a-round time very quick. Contrast that with the normal wait periods of the majority of hospital clinics of 2 to 3 weeks before one can be seen for an intake session. Other times, a client may have questions so they might email first, asking for clarification or wondering if we can help with their particular problem.
Is Phone Counseling Private?
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.
How Is Phone Counseling Different Than Face-To-Face?
I believe nothing beats face-to-face counseling. So why have I offered phone counseling for the past 10 years? Because it works! And individuals specifically request it more and more. Over the years I’ve noticed some powerful advantages of phone counseling over sitting with a client.
Why is this the case? People on the telephone feel more secure and anonymous during the call. Therefore they simply share more quickly about what the issues are and are ready to receive advice. In live sessions an issue we call “transference” appears to be more active. Simply put, a client is more tentative the first time; may hold back for fear of looking bad or becoming embarrassed and they may have a need to be liked, which can get in the way of sharing in a more thorough manner.
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 Is Flexible!
Those who are attracted to phone counseling love the convenience of it. For example, I’ve counseling people while they were on a train, in an airport, commuting to or from work, changing a diaper, on lunch break at work and at work in the privacy of their own office. This list could go on.
As you can see phone counseling is powerfully convenient to you and fits nicely with your busy schedule.
Is Phone Counseling Expensive?
You will be happy to find that phone counseling is no more expensive than sitting down for a live session. In fact, it saves you money! When you factor the costs associated with taking time off work, travel to and from sessions, child care etc., you begin to see the savings really add up.
Doesn’t Phone Counseling Bring Less Connection With The Therapist?
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.
Does Insurance Cover Phone Counseling?
In a word, NO. And that’s too bad because insurance companies could actually save money on mental health services if they did. However, it’s always okay to call and ask. I have been approached twice in the last two years by employee assistance programs requesting that I contract to provide email counseling and phone counseling. We now have renewed those contracts two years now. In the near future I see all insurance companies offering different levels of coverage for phone counseling services.
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.
Can Anyone or Everyone Benefit From Phone Counseling?
Phone counseling isn’t for everyone. If you’d really prefer to be 1:1 with a counselor, by all means, take that route. Other times individuals struggle terribly and become suicidal or even homicidal. Phone or online counseling is definitely not for you if you’re in this shape. Call 911 or the national help line, 211 in case of emergency.
That being said, it should be obvious by now that phone counseling works. In one study, over 97% of those who’d sought online or phone therapy would do so again. It’s fast, efficient, private, flexible and affordable. If you’re struggling it’s definitely a try to contact a phone counselor.
