With recent events, we are moving the majority of our sessions online. Working online can be as effective as meeting face to face but we understand that it may raise some questions for our clients. Here are some of the questions we are asked frequently. Please get in touch if there are others you would like us to answer.
Are the sessions as secure and confidential?
We will be using Zoom for our online sessions as this is a video calling service that is GDPR compliant and fit for purpose. You can read their GDPR statement here:
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360000126326-Official-Statement-EU-GDPR-Compliance
We will only call you from a confidential space, which may be our clinic room or home working space. It is also important that you make sure you are in a confidential space when receiving the call and ideally without interruptions.
Will it be as effective as meeting in person?
In a statement from The British Psychological Society they reported that “there is good evidence that therapy can be delivered competently via different media, is usually acceptable to the client, and that it is possible to build up therapeutic relationships that are as strong as those formed in face-to-face therapy”.
One of our clients in Australia shared her experience:
Natalie was helping me with my move overseas and when I moved we continued our sessions. I was worried at first that it would feel different. The first session did feel strange, but after that it was just like normal. We speak face-to-face and I find our meetings just as helpful as they were when we met in person.
How will we share materials?
We can easily share our screen over Zoom to look at worksheets or other materials together. We can also share links in the chat function.
I’m not familiar with video calling, is it easy to set up?
Yes! We will send you a link by email that you simply need to click on in order to join the meeting. We recommend that you try out Zoom with a friend or relative before having your session to make sure that you are happy with the settings and usability. If you would like some help in getting set up then please do let us know and we would be happy to talk you through it or send a guide in advance.
Do we need to use video calling or can we speak over the telephone?
Yes, you have a choice about how you would like to conduct the session. Often it is helpful to meet face to face as so much of our communication is non-verbal. However, we are open and responsive to your preferences.
Should there be a problem with the video connection we may also need to switch to using the telephone to avoid too much time in sorting out technical or connection issues. You may want to ensure you have your telephone nearby.
Will my private health insurance cover online sessions?
Most insurance companies are flexible about how your sessions are delivered. If you have any concerns about this then please speak to us or your insurer.
What if I don’t get along with online sessions?
Just like face to face sessions, it is important that you let us know of any issues or concerns that might come up for you during the course of your sessions. We will always work with you to try and find a solution. We are currently in a very unusual time in which our ability to meet face to face may be restricted, however we plan to return to normal practice as soon as possible.
By Dr Natalie Bodart, Clinical Psychologist