In contrast, counselor E. N (elementary level) shared doubt about elementary students ability to reach out virtually via email or seesaw. Online counselling: the motives and experiences of young people who choose the internet instead of face to face or telephone counselling. easy to understand.keep up the good work. The transcripts were coded using an open-coding method to identify the common themes that appeared in those transcriptions. You need access to the internet and a smartphone. They were offered to member check both their transcribed and recorded interviews to ensure internal validity and accuracy. My cousin mentioned to me last night that he is planning to have a consultation because he is having issues with anxiety and asked if I have any idea what is the best option to do. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Probing questions were added to both sets of questions to attain the objectives of the study, which focus on the barriers perceived by the counselor for themselves and on behalf of the students. As well as choosing a counsellor who is a member of a body with an accredited register such as BACP, look out for registration with the Association of Counselling and Therapy Online (ACTO). Virtual genetic counseling provides the same important services as in-person genetic counseling. It was found to be strongly associated with better levels of comfort with the proposed service. The patients/participants provided their written informed consent to participate in this study. If you think you're eligible, your school counselor or a representative of an authorized community-based organization will help you get a fee waiver. JMIR Ment Health. The practical aspects of virtual counseling: ethics, training, technology, and competency. This yet again shows how such views can be similar or compatible in other countries. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. You know how it is. Successful virtual counseling will allow counselors to provide students of all cycles (K-12) with individualized data and direct feedback tailored to the students interests and values (Savitz-Romer et al., 2020). Counselor 6 (middle school) said, This anxiety for the virtual counseling was meeting right after the first virtual meeting. Personal choices and preferences influence a counselors overall experience. Join BetterHelp today. But it's not suitable for everyone. The researchers gave a full explanation of the study and assured the anonymity and confidentiality of all data collected. Students who were grade-oriented found counseling sessions useless since they could not obtain grades from attending. The final study was about the challenge of addressing mental health complexities (Worth, 2022). The counselors years of experience ranged from 1 to 15years and their ages ranged from 27 to 48years. Virtual therapy, according to school counselors, increased the bonding and counseling relationship (Paterson et al., 2017). No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. Doctoral Dissertation. I'll also share my experience with three of the major providers: BetterHelp TalkSpace Online-Therapy.com Prof. Sch. Acceptability, Adaptability, and Feasibility of a Novel Computer-Based Virtual Counselor-Delivered Alcohol Intervention: Focus Group and In-depth Interview Study Among Adults With HIV or Tuberculosis in Indian Clinical Settings JMIR Form Res. Teletherapy can be an important tool to help people learn more about mental health. If a client is experiencing suicidal thoughts or has suffered a personal tragedy, it can be difficult or even impossible for the therapist to provide direct assistance. Mainly, middle schoolers responded best to the tackling of social issues as a group since these were the issues they would be dealing with. The research emphasized how virtual counseling creates a more flexible space for both counselors and students. This also aligns with views of King et al. I havent had a panic attack in years, but my depression lingers. Counselor 1 (elementary and middle school levels) explained, Some of these tools were used before, and updated versions were utilized, and in several cases, completely novel platforms and tools were used to facilitate virtual classes. This supports a study conducted by Brewington and Kushner (2020) where various school counselors noticed that sending emails, designing multimedia presentations and webpages, developing newsletters, and retrieving information from schools student information systems are relative functions that help the counseling sessions. This initial discomfort influenced their ability to carry out their work efficiently. I always try to sit in the same area and dress as I would do for an in-person or online video client. To access Virtual Counselor please follow the steps below. The data collected were analyzed using interpretational analysis. Both the schools and counselors were purposively chosen. (2020). Licensed Therapist and Managing Editor of Blunt Therapy. There was a wave of alternative options for every activity that required physical presence; accordingly, it is only fit that aspects related to students wellbeing, especially in such critical times, were developed. The following are some of the biggest advantages of online therapy. Counselors perspectives on the benefits of virtual counseling have been highlighted in studies conducted in Scotland and Finland. Structured time should be created for counselors to meet with students and even their families. Some virtual engaging tools were brain games, puzzles, exercise body games, and artistic activities were done virtually. Offers video, phone, and text-based sessions, All counselors are fully licensed mental health professionals. What are the possible pros and cons? J. Comput.-Mediat. Universities should acknowledge their existence and give the field of virtual school counseling the same thoughtful, critical research as it does to all the other relevant subjects. We measured user responses to and perceptions of the virtual human counselor. Id say that depends on perception. Studies conducted have shown that the perceptions of counselors of the benefits and barriers reflect whether or not the counseling service will be successful. The integration of the Internet and counseling is a new occurrence known as virtual counseling. Exploring student mental health and intention to use virtual counseling in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, theres research that says its quite effective. Due to the financial status of families and their geographical locations, virtual counseling services could provide services for Kenyan students and take advantage of these school contexts and situate the tools that enable access to virtual school counseling (Pattison et al., 2012). Later, the codes were organized into categories under general themes. This generator provides the virtual counselor with multimodal nonverbal behaviors, including gestures 1, head moves, gazes and facial expressions 2, that are synchronized with its verbal content. 2012;43(3):52. or a podcast? Students in the middle and secondary levels were more capable of obtaining privacy and access to different means of technology, in one way or another than those younger. During the interviews with the counselors, it was seen that some of the core aspects that have influenced the obstacles addressed were the roles and responsibilities of counselors. Answers to an Ethics Board and is subject to Federal and State requirements, including background checks. Click below to listen now. Manage Settings (2021). J. Environ. Visit BetterHelp and get 10% off your entire membership with this link. I enjoy connecting with other people, so I wasnt sure that this was possible with an online counselor. It was shown through discourse analysis how obstacles varied as a result of the roles and responsibilities delegated to the counselors, and how they tried to adapt to such changes. Thats given me a unique perspective on the subject. Some people, especially those who live in rural areas, may have never had the opportunity to go to a counselor before. A total of 11 counselors were selected using purposive sampling across all school levels (elementary, middle, and high school). To learn about who we share your data with and why or to opt out, go to Sharing Settings. Do you enjoy and even prefer text-based, video, and/or phone communication? The female students were more willing to discuss their mental health and challenges, but the male students were cautious about discussing their mental health. The short answer is no. Im no stranger to therapy. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. However, there are some situations where traditional therapy is the better option. This yet again is supported by research obtained, where a lot of focus was on how online counseling may free counselors and students from time, location, and space constraints. Other terms that are often used interchangeably with online therapy are teletherapy or e-therapy. (2020). Depending on the regulations where you live, this could limit your options as either the provider or the person seeking services. Furthermore, counselors shared that student characteristics have played a role in determining the students responsiveness to counseling. doi: 10.1111/pcn.13117. Despite the benefits of virtual school counseling, there were several drawbacks to it. Online and phone counselling can help with many of the same issues as face to face counselling, such as anxiety, stress, depression, self-esteem and confidence issues, loss and family relationship problems. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Search for online therapists in your area. The World Economic Forum. ; and (c) does participation in virtual counseling differ as a result of students characteristics in the perception of school counselors? My therapists did an excellent job reflecting, clarifying, and validating my feelings. So, virtual counseling is perfectly appropriate for the vast majority of things that people go to regular therapy for. The counseling areas advancements were slow to develop, and the developments that took place were mainly observed in career guidance (Ayyash-Abdo et al., 2010). It Offers More Access to Counseling. I always knew they understood where I was coming from and how I was affected by certain situations. From the conducted interviews, counselors found ways to integrate their services into virtual. 42, 533544. The interviews conducted with school counselors showed that they did their absolute best to uphold their relationships with the students and continue to find ways to carry out their duties, getting creative in the process. Studies in Scotland and Finland, for example, explored counselors perceptions of the benefits of virtual counseling (Paterson et al., 2017). Remember how I gave you a list of things that arent really suitable for online therapy and a list of things that are? Could it really be comparable to traditional face-to-face therapy? Akgul, T., Brown, J., and Karch, L. (2021). The group represented different counselors from different schools (refer to Table 2), who discussed their perceptions and experiences on the barriers and benefits of virtual counseling. Because of COVID-19, many traditional face-to-face therapists have temporarily switched to virtual counseling due to social distancing and quarantine procedures. Informed consent was obtained from the school principals and counselors. Counselors shared that they used both synchronous and asynchronous methods to cater to students needs. Written communication can allow the counselee to revise their statements without worrying about them coming out wrong (Baker and Ray, 2011). There was less practical assistance for the school counselors who had no choice but to practice in a virtual setting, especially for the first-year counselors. I really liked where you pointed out that it is flexible as you can choose to leave messages or rather schedule blocks of time with your therapist. The counselors roles were not bound solely by what the school provided; counselors would extend their search beyond the school parameters to ensure that the students needs are provided. (2015) stressed that by sharing that counselors should be comfortable and confident in their use of virtual communication tools. The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. All I request, like the old saying goes, is dont knock it til youve tried it.. Procedia Soc. This is no different for face to face, online and phone counselling. Steele et al. That's an amazing price for the quality of session content and the number of CEUs you can earn from "attending.". Space was also an issue if they have their siblings in the same place or if they do not have a comfortable space to sit and be focused. If I wanted quick feedback, a text was perfect. And youre right to ask it. Seeing that distance counseling is still gaining momentum, I feel that sharing what Ive learned may be of use to both therapy seekers and providers. (elementary and middle school levels) shared alternative measures specifically for upper elementary and middle school, which included text messaging or even conducting sessions in the car to ensure privacy and comfort for students. 88, 1317. Your therapist will discuss how its going to work and should also ensure you know what to do if the connection is interrupted. Counselor 3 (KG and elementary level) shared: I was able to reach a bigger number of students at the same time, and I was able to be in two places at once, and students were happy about it. A.S (all cycles) agreed with Counselor 3 (KG and elementary level) and stated, If properly structured, virtual counseling can be a huge outreach to people without the means due to physical problems, living in rural areas, or schedule complications. The mentioned counselors had a positive experience; however, this was not the case for all. However, if you have social anxiety, or you live in a rural area, or have limited access to services, or if transportation is a problem, or maybe you just prefer online interaction, virtual counseling may be a perfect fit. The participants privacy was protected by giving each one of them a code. Counselor 7, who is responsible for all cycles, emphasized, When counselors see a student at school, they look for them and catch up with them, particularly in the hallway, however virtually such communication can be slowed down due to different factors. Baker and Ray (2011), in contrast, highlighted a disadvantage that the tools used in virtual counseling might impede the process, which results in clarification problems rather than focusing on the counselees goals. Nothing in life is perfect. She has been looking into virtual counselling services to help her out with her mental health and thats why I decided to help her out with some research. Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research. If youve never had therapy before, the best advice I can give you is to be honest, open-minded, and willing to try new things. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Save 10% today! Ann. Lambie, G. W., and Williamson, L. L. (2004). 35, 5366. The whole setting is not inducive for learning. Students do not have a closed-mortar space for them to feel comfortable and free in their expression. For example, they might have been in an established relationship before university, they've come to university . Semi-structured interview participants demographic information. The coronavirus pandemic led to an increase in therapists offering online or phone counselling. But I leave it to you to decide if teletherapy is the right fit for you, either as a consumer or a provider. If youre still undecided, ask yourself the following questions: If you answered yes to one or more of those questions, Id give online counseling a shot. Cyber-psychotherapy. People may feel comfortable talking to friends and family about physical health care issues, but may not feel the same discussing mental health concerns that are just as important. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. College of Education, National Chengchi University, Taiwan. (2020). You can visit BetterHelp and search for local therapists that you might enjoy working with. The interviews were conducted at the counselors convenience via Zoom, and each interview lasted for approximately 1h. The focus group discussion included six counselors and lasted for 120min through Zoom due to the restrictions during the COVID pandemic. Pattison, S., Hanley, T., and Sefi, A. The username is student's 06# and the password is MM/DD/YYYY with the slashes. And they will continue to do so long after the quarantine has lifted. Heres a few related articles weve written about online counseling: Virtual counseling has gone by many names over the years. We've tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Your feedback is important! 191:104271. doi: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2020.104271, PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar, Ayyash-Abdo, H., Alamuddin, R., and Mukallid, S. (2010). Internet anonymity and the lack of reduced auditory and visual cues can make it harder for students to feel comfortable communicating with the counselor during face-to-face sessions (Zamani et al., 2010). Each one does things a bit differently, so Ill make sure to highlight anything that stands out. Some counselors shared that they were more flexible with having the counseling sessions done whenever they could, even after school schedule. They are also well-reviewed, with websites that offer detailed explanations of their programs, costs, and membership structures. Singaporean counselors virtual counseling experiences with children: an exploratory qualitative study. Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03069885.2017.1383357. Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 2020;24:100442. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100442, Andrews G, Basu A, Cuijpers P, et al. The contact with the counselor is conducted one on one which ultimately makes the students feel that they have the counselors full attention. In some respects, the question is unfair. Christensen H, Batterham P, Calear A. Online interventions for anxiety disorders. These themes as will be mentioned below were the root of the research and helped identify key obstacles and challenges voiced by the counselors. Sometimes it would be guess who, these games are available online. This did not apply to other counselors. I was thrilled and terrified at the same time when I received a job offer. It also includes recommendations for targeted genetic testing, and helps patients move beyond a misdiagnosis. 2014;13(1):411. J Anxiety Disord. 1. But this does not mean you can start practising without first undertaking the correct training. Such changes would rely on students ages since such criteria dictate what tools and methods work. counselors are identical to face-to-face therapists, 48 Mental Health Blogs Youve Never Heard Of That Totally Nail It in 2021, Why Your Ex isnt A Narcissist (And You Should Stop Saying He Is), 5 Steps To Affordable Online Mental Health Care With Sesame, 4 Modern Therapies Revolutionizing The Way We Treat Autism, How to Choose Nootropic Supplements: A Beginners Guide, The Amazing Impact of Play Therapy on Children: A Path to Healing and Growth, How to Provide Psychological First Aid: A Comprehensive Guide For Mental Health Professionals, The Psychology of Giving: 5 Ways Altruism Makes You Happier, 7 Steps You Need To Take If You Want To Heal From Narcissistic Abuse, Whats Wrong With Using Should Statements? Pincus, R., Hannor-Walker, T. S., Wright, L., and Justice, J. 2, 131. The impact of COVID-19 on student experiences and expectations: evidence from a survey. Maples and Han (2008) stated that virtual counseling includes synchronous (video chatting and calling) and asynchronous (emails and texting) tools to address an individuals needs. (2017). Internet accessibility was one of the issues that may have influenced virtual counseling to be a negative experience (Ayyash-Abdo et al., 2010). The data were compared using the constant comparative method, where the similarities and differences of the data were derived. Virtual counseling: the good, the bad, and the possibilities. Counselor 6 (middle school) stated Sometimes I start by playing a virtual game like Kahoot (It is a game-based learning platform for teachers and students, it is used to generate multiple quizzes) just to break the ice. Another review found that online CBT was equally effective as a face-to-face treatment for panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. (2020) discussed that school counselors started adapting their techniques to meet the immediate needs of their school communities as they attempted to interact with students and their families. J. Phys. This facilitation ensures that the students do not hold in their emotions for too long and that even perceived trivial issues are shared with the counselor. After conducting semi-structured interviews and the FGD, the transcripts were analyzed and the themes were derived accordingly. Online therapy can be an effective and convenient way to access mental health services. Counsel. My initial reaction upon first hearing of online therapy years ago was curiosity. In fact, people often tell me that their online experience has been more satisfying than their previous in-person therapy. Perspectives of school dropouts dilemma in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon: an ethnographic study. Excited because of the potential I saw in this modality to better match my lifestyle, and scared because I didnt know what the heck I was doing or what to expect. World Psychiatry. Pract. Online therapy refers to psychotherapy or counseling services conducted over the internet. J. Asia Pac. Thanks for your time and understanding! Counselors also added that becoming more confident in their use of virtual tools assisted them in providing better counseling and allowed them to be more attentive to the students needs. Its a blog about mental health matters, addictions, relationships, and parenting. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.03.411, King, R., Bambling, M., Lloyd, C., Gomurra, R., Smith, S., Reid, W., et al. Use the calendar to search for available visits and select your preferred time to register. 5, 2023. To support this notion, some counselors explained that students approach to counseling relies more on personal traits and preferences rather than gender. Such a call to action is also backed up by Steele et al. If you are a NC resident looking for a new therapist, you can book an appointment with him. Such benefits also influenced students decisions to seek counseling, as seen by the students decreased threshold for seeking help. If you are, virtual counseling isnt for you. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.07.146, Keywords: virtual counseling, perceptions, technology, COVID-19, Lebanon, Citation: Jaber F and Al-Hroub A (2023) School counselors perceptions of virtual counseling in Lebanon: A qualitative study. If you're not sure if virtual counseling is right for you, let's go over a few reasons why it's highly effective, and how it can help you if you need support. Rakhi explains that when arranging phone counselling with a client, she ensures the conversation will be private and safe. It was worth considering not only the counselors experience but also its role in their counseling education. Health Ment. In addition, the joint relationship between Scotland and Finland has stated that the studys results are not inherently country-specific. Int. Their Mission: to provide more people with convenient access to licensed therapists who can help those in need live a happier and healthier life. Virtual counseling has become an increased necessity as a result of the current pandemic as well as the need for methods that comply with the continuous changes and advancements. With the help of your counselor, you can use this technique to clarify your emotions . My friend is looking for tips on how to get help from her depressive thoughts since everyone is distancing because of the virus. (2011). With COVID-19, Ive even started doing online therapy with my own clients. 24, 341346. Its amazing how you can now talk to your therapist or psychiatrist anytime using a process called virtual therapy. Virtual counselors are identical to face-to-face therapists in terms of education and training. Whether you call it virtual counseling, online therapy, or telehealth, one thing remains clear Online counseling provides easy low-cost, secure, and easy access to highly qualified and licensed mental health professionals. In a 2 3 experiment (humor and ethnicity of the virtual human counselor), participants experienced counseling interview interactions via Skype on a smartphone. You will use a link to connect with your provider at the agreed-upon time. doi:10.1002/wps.20083. doi:10.1007/s10567-016-0218-x, Baumel A. Online emotional support delivered by trained volunteers: Users' satisfaction and their perception of the service compared to psychotherapy. Being that it is qualitative research, the interpretational analysis was carried out to assess the obtained data. I remember working to finish this course at a furious pace, thinking Id be working with people any day. Profess. Counselor educators in the field of virtual counseling should acknowledge the growing impact communications technology has when it comes to supporting and communicating with one another. Since you will be attending therapy sessions online in the comfort of your own home, you can often schedule your therapy sessions for times that are the most convenient for you. You need intensive treatment for an alcohol or drug use disorder. 74, 564565. In case of emergency contact your GP or local Accident and Emergency service, says Rakhi. Find out how counselling works, what therapists do and what happens in a therapy session. Carrying ones job around even at home becomes harder for counselors to carry out their tasks effectively, being that they cannot divide their work and responsibilities at home. School counseling in Lebanon: past, present, and future. I valued how fast my counselors responded to my messages. Even if they are hesitant to open up during counseling sessions, students contact counselors more in person because there is no need to send emails or schedule appointments. Do you live in a rural area, or have limited access to transportation or services in your area? But the things that your psychologist might notice in a physical session wont be there. There is a drop down box under student info. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher. American Institutes for Research. Virtual counseling has become an increased necessity as a result of the current pandemic and the need for methods that comply with continuous changes and advancements. Different counselors shared similar perceptions about the need for virtual counseling during the time of the pandemic. First, the sample size was small and represented only female counselors. There are different views on privacy and confidentiality in virtual counseling. Public Health 18:10295. doi: 10.3390/ijerph181910295. Some people may feel more comfortable undergoing therapy in a digital setting, especially younger people who are more intimately familiar with such methods of communication, but otherstherapists and patients alikemay get more out of therapy that utilizes more direct human contact. There are dozens of online counseling providers to choose from. To become proficient in using this modality, we should be prepared and competent. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. an upsetting physical health condition, such as infertility. Covid-19s effect on students: how school counselors rise to the rescue. (2021). It was agreed by different counselors that men were not given the accepting space; therefore, when provided by the counselor, they attended and were committed to it. In fact, youve probably heard of at least one of the following: These terms all mean the same thing. Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book.". Counselors discussed the development of new skills and the refinement of existing ones. Call the DMDC/DEERS Support Office (DSO): (800) 538-9552. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the research identified several significant obstacles to therapeutic relationships brought on by the digital space and social media, such as therapist privacy concerns (clients frequently search for therapist/counselor personal information online, which inherently affects the therapeutic dynamic), virtual impingements (through which online discoveries alter the physical therapeutic relationship), and a desire to internalize digital versions of the counseling sessions.
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