Why not

Hi,

I have been receiving consultancy via Skype for almost two weeks. I think it's not different in terms of effectiveness from face to face consultancy.

As a clinical psychologist of over 50 years experience. I have both ethical and clinical concerns about this method. Two of my colleagues are very comfortable using this medium. During this virus crisis it may be necessary due to safety to prevent exposure.

I am licensed to practice only in my home state. I pay much of my attention to non-verbal signals which may be less clear than in-person exchanges.

We know that the strength of working therapeutic relation contributes significantly to + outcomes.

Rich

Dear Dr. Suhad Mohammed

Thanks a lot for your Reply.

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Dear Dr. Richard Kensinger

Thanks a lot for your Reply. Itis Useful contribution.

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Dear Dr. Ayse Seyma Turgut

Thanks a lot for your Reply. Itis Useful contribution.

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yes

Dear Dr. Ruaa SH Redeiny

Thank you very much for your contribution.

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Hello,

Yes, i think online platforms like Zoom, Skype, Google Meet can help to continue the counselling process. It can hinder some parts of the non-verbal communication, but can facilitate some part of the process of counselling (setting goals, problem-solving strategies, behavioural activaton for example). It can be useful to follow-up some processes that you already begun with your client.

So, my answer is yes :)

At the moment this is the only possibility to care for my clients. But there is also some research on this theme and there are guidelines of APA . There is also longterm experience by the telephone emergency services on ecumenical basis by the churches. Psychologists or/and psychotherapists are supervising. WD

I think yes. Of course, there are features: the client is included in the home situation, it is more difficult to evaluate his non-verbal behavior, technical quality of the communication channel, ethical issues and confidentiality. On the other hand, it’s easier to organize a session at any distance and at the right time. This is better than nothing))) It is necessary to use the pros and compensate for the disadvantages of online communication.

I think it is possible however it may not be as effective as one on one sessions because one wont be able to read non-verbal communication which is also very crucial in counselling. It would be better if people could conduct video counselling though this may be a great challenge to those people from low-income states like in most African countries.

Yes, I think counseling programs can be conducted via social media. I think we have learned that during these times of the pandemic. Prior to this time, I may have answered the question differently because my concern would be not be able to see the clients face to face but with addition of video conferencing, that concern was eliminated. However, I think it will always be an option and not an option that applies to all situations. Some situations will still require face to face and some who want or need counseling don't have access to the equipment needed.

yes . of course.

Absolutely. Individual and Group counseling, we do it!!

I think it is important to define what is meant by social media. Programs like Facebook and Messenger, etc cannot be counted on insofar as privacy. Skype has a similar problem. There are legal reasons why they cannot be used although there is a current waiver for Messenger due to the virus. There is no need to use such waivers when there are video conferencing platforms developed for telemental health that work well and are relatively inexpensive for counseling providers. Those are platforms in which counseling services can be and have been implemented successfully for quite some time. Some allow for file transfers back and forth. There is a body of research that supports telemental health as an effective practice and training is available. There are also various apps that clients can download to support recovery either by themselves or as adjuncts to therapy. These apps and telemental health platforms are not considered social media but are very effective tools that do not risk client confidentiality the way social media does. I think one area of mental health services that would need some creativity would be the application of telemental health services to day treatment and mental health clubhouse models.

I think it is possible and quiet more easy to use at the University level where students have access to smart phones. However, mobile apps can be more useful than social i for those in lower classes

i think yes it can be helpful for people at the time of this pandemic. but the main thing every one who is going to try this should learn first about usage of social media and privacy policies.

one thing, there should also some group discussions on social media between psychologists dealing different ways of treatment and counselling.

Of course it depends what is meant by "done effectively". I think it is more a matter of what is necessary in order to teach the best we can given the current circumstances.

Hello Nasser, I think if you are speaking about social media programs you mean video calls like Zoom meetings, google meet ..etc, if yes, then it's so helpful for sure it's not like the in-person but still effective, I have Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and since 6 weeks now I am doing my sessions through the video therapy.

Dear Dr. George-Alexandru Bunescu

Thank you for your contribution.

Very useful suggestions.

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Dear dr. Wolf Dietrich Dr. Zuzan

Thank you very much for your useful contribution.

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Dear Dr. Oleksandr Savchuk

Thank you very much for your contribution

I agree with you.

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Dear dr. Rosemary Chigevenga

Thank you for your contribution.

It is very useful.

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Dear Dr. Annagrayce Pedersen

Thank you very much for sharing your experience.

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Dear dr. Jeanine Taylor

Thank you very much for sharing your experience. It is very useful to share what you do with others.

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Dear dr. Gholam reza Tabrizi Kahou

Thank you very much for your reply.

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Dear dr. Hilding Ohrstrom

I agree with you that we should define what meant by social media.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

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Dear dr. Muhammed Abolakale Shuaib

Thank you for your deep and useful contribution.

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Dear Dr. Aniqa Khalid

Thank you a lot for your useful contribution.

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Dear dr. Richard Vantrease

Thank you very much for your nice contribution. I agree with you.

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Dear dr. Maher Sonbol

Thank you for your contribution. I agree with you.

BEst regards

Nasser,

You are welcome. I was happy to share.

Jeanine

Yes, it is able to conducted effectively. We are presently providing counseling in small group sessions to students that were already receiving services and it has appeared to be helpful preventing decline in student progress. In addition, additional students are receiving services for the first time as they reach out and/or parents for support due to crisis situations (i.e. death, sickness, quarantining). However, the delivery and platform had to be adjusted to maintain some level of confidentiality.

Counseling can be done effectively via social media platforms especially in this era we find ourselves now, but some social media platforms has proven to be better in being used for a counseling session than others social media platforms. Platforms like zoom, google meet, Instagram live videos and the likes tends to provide a good yardstick that can connect both the counselor and the client .. it might not be like the normal face-to-face counselling session between a counselor and a client but it tends to bridge the gap and helps counselors look beyond the ever known way of counselling and the counselling profession has to move with the global trend so as not to be left behind. On this note i strongly believe that social media is an effective tool that can be use for counseling in this present day

Dear dr. Jeanine Taylor

Thank you very much for your valuable contribution.

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Dear Dr. Sherri Brown

Thank you very much for your useful contribution. It is very effective via social media platforms especially in this era

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Dear Dr. Emmanuel Iyah

I agree with you that we can use it in counseling programs.

Best regards

As others have mentioned, if you're referring to video conferencing, like Zoom, then yes definitely! I'm on faculty in a graduate counseling program and our entire training clinic had to go online back in March due to COVID. While I think this is of course an adjustment for clients, I think the larger adjustment is for counselors themselves, or counselors-in-training (CIT) in the case of my program. Uncertainty/anxiety/doubt of efficacy on the part of the counselor or CIT will be easily felt by the client. Vice versa, the more confidence and comfort the counselor or CIT experiences in video conferencing (or "telehealth") the more the client will feel at ease. I know there is much more to providing effective telehealth services than mere personal comfort on the part of the counselor. But if the client is going to believe in the efficacy of telehealth, the counselor or CIT need to exhibit support for this belief as well.

Absolutely, and with the new generation where mental health has become a major challenge in our society.