Remote therapy

Online and telephone counselling and psychotherapy

If you are unable to come to our offices, we offer the option of attending online or by telephone. This page contains advice on how the system works and some tips for ensuring your comfort and confidentiality and for ensuring therapy is effective. 

If you are based outside England and Wales, please let us know. We need to be aware of and comply with, any relevant legal obligations that apply in your location, and to confirm that this work is covered by our professional indemnity insurance, before we begin.

If you are attending by telephone, your therapist will provide you with a number to call at your appointment time. 

We use Doxy.me as a platform for hosting online therapy sessions. This is an established, secure platform used by many online healthcare professionals. Doxy.me state that “all data is encrypted, your sessions are anonymous, and none of your information is stored. We adhere to HIPAA, PIPEDA, and GDPR data privacy requirements.” For more information, please see https://doxy.me/en/patients/

Your therapist will provide you with a link if you are attending online, This will take you to a virtual waiting room. Your camera image should show.

Please enter your name to indicate you are waiting, and  you will be admitted at the start of our appointment.

Please make sure that we have an alternative telephone number for you in advance of your appointment to enable us to call you if there are technical difficulties.

Security

Online working can never be 100% secure, there are several things you can and should do to reduce any risk:

• always use a password to access your computer and change your password frequently.

• keep the security software (virus protection, firewall) on your computer up to date.

• check regularly for software updates for your video and audio communication software.

• plan your session for a time when you know you can have privacy, making sure others in the house know not to disturb or interrupt you

• find a safe and undisturbed space where you can set up your device and sit comfortably for the whole session. Some clients who find it hard to access a private room at home might use their car or go out for a walk.

• close all other open browsers and programmes on your computer as these can affect the connection and either slow it down or cause the screen to freeze. It is especially important to close down other video conferencing software sych a Zoom, Teams and Whatsapp as these can interfere with your audio and video equipment. 

It is important that we both take confidentiality seriously. You need to take personal responsibility for your own computer security and ensure that confidentiality is protected. Let me know straight away if you have any concerns that the security and confidentiality of our sessions is or has been compromised.

Tips for working online

Please make sure that:

• You have your device set up before the session and that your microphone and video are turned on.

• Your computer or mobile is positioned so that we can clearly see your face and shoulders and that the camera is at eye level.

• That there is adequate lighting in the room you are in.

• You do not have your back to a window or light – this can make it hard for me to see you clearly.

• You are in a quiet location where you will not be disturbed and the door is closed.

• That your space is confidential and you will not be overheard.

• If you are using your computer, you have your mobile sound muted so that it is not a distraction.

• You have a box of tissues and a glass of water.

• Please do NOT record the sessions.  We will not be record any of our sessions 

Sometimes people use headphones during online sessions.  Using headphones can create a more intimate connection.

As with face to face sessions, the confidentiality agreement we signed together still applies as well as the contract you agreed at the beginning of working with your therapist.