I'm cross posting this from my other blog, Life Therapy with Mark:
Your spirit: the Heart of Life Therapy
Showing posts with label life therapy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life therapy. Show all posts
Monday, July 9, 2018
Friday, September 16, 2016
10 Things to Love about On-line Counseling
If you are like me, you might be skeptical about on-line counseling and therapy services. However, they are growing in popularity. Now that I have done on-line sessions for a while, I understand why.
At first, I was very skeptical about caring for clients on-line. Now, I love it. Here are ten things I am loving about on-line sessions:
1. They’re easy to do. Both my clients and I have found it easy to log-in and connect with each other. All we need is a PC, laptop, tablet, or smart phone with a camera and mic; internet connection, and username and password for the counseling website.
2. We aren’t limited geographically. You get to have your session wherever you choose. We can be anywhere, as long as it’s a private location, and meet on-line for a session. Neither one of us have to be “in town” or drive somewhere to meet. No one sees you going into my office.
3. Our sessions are secure and confidential. Your information and sessions meet and exceed the Federal HIPAA regulations. Your information is not sold or shared with others. Strict confidentiality is maintained.
4. We have the benefit of seeing and hearing each other during your session. This is important for both you and me. I see your facial expressions and gestures and hear the tone of your voice. You see mine as well. This supports our sense of connection that is so important to our work together.
5. You can access my calendar and schedule your own appointment, if you want to.
6. We both receive reminders of our appointment so we don’t miss it or show up late and cut your time short.
7. I can share clinical and teaching documents with you on-line during our session. These are secured and protected.
8. Paying your bill is easy and documented.
9. It’s easy to refer family members, friends, and co-workers, regardless of where they live.
10. It raises the quality of care provided by all counselors and therapists, because high quality care is now a click away.
1. They’re easy to do. Both my clients and I have found it easy to log-in and connect with each other. All we need is a PC, laptop, tablet, or smart phone with a camera and mic; internet connection, and username and password for the counseling website.
2. We aren’t limited geographically. You get to have your session wherever you choose. We can be anywhere, as long as it’s a private location, and meet on-line for a session. Neither one of us have to be “in town” or drive somewhere to meet. No one sees you going into my office.
3. Our sessions are secure and confidential. Your information and sessions meet and exceed the Federal HIPAA regulations. Your information is not sold or shared with others. Strict confidentiality is maintained.
4. We have the benefit of seeing and hearing each other during your session. This is important for both you and me. I see your facial expressions and gestures and hear the tone of your voice. You see mine as well. This supports our sense of connection that is so important to our work together.
5. You can access my calendar and schedule your own appointment, if you want to.
6. We both receive reminders of our appointment so we don’t miss it or show up late and cut your time short.
7. I can share clinical and teaching documents with you on-line during our session. These are secured and protected.
8. Paying your bill is easy and documented.
9. It’s easy to refer family members, friends, and co-workers, regardless of where they live.
10. It raises the quality of care provided by all counselors and therapists, because high quality care is now a click away.
Yes, there are some cons to on-line counseling and therapy work: We cannot shake hands or hug. Sometimes there are technical problems that we have to address. But, in my experience so far, the pros outweigh the cons.
If you think I might be able to help you make your way through a difficult challenge that you’re facing now, I offer free 30-minute initial consultations.
You can connect with me on-line here:
Or call me at 828-551-8825
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
14 Things Excellent Therapists Do for You, Part Two
Excellent therapists-
8. Say very little about themselves because your sessions are about you.
9. Self-disclose only when it helps you make your way forward.
10. Maintain a professional relationship with you and do not have sex with you.
11. Challenge and confront you to help you make your way forward with your life.
12. Know their limitations, tell you when they cannot help you, and refer you to someone who can.
13. Do not keep making appointments with you just to make money.
14. Respect your freedom to stop coming to sessions when you choose and resume if and when you want to do so.
As I said at the beginning of this two-part series on excellent therapists, too often we wait too long to see a therapist. Our delay prolongs our suffering and the suffering of those who care about us.
Whatever challenge you face in life, you do not have to face it alone. Excellent therapists are available to help. Make an appointment with one. You'll be glad you did.
8. Say very little about themselves because your sessions are about you.
9. Self-disclose only when it helps you make your way forward.
10. Maintain a professional relationship with you and do not have sex with you.
11. Challenge and confront you to help you make your way forward with your life.
12. Know their limitations, tell you when they cannot help you, and refer you to someone who can.
13. Do not keep making appointments with you just to make money.
14. Respect your freedom to stop coming to sessions when you choose and resume if and when you want to do so.
As I said at the beginning of this two-part series on excellent therapists, too often we wait too long to see a therapist. Our delay prolongs our suffering and the suffering of those who care about us.
Whatever challenge you face in life, you do not have to face it alone. Excellent therapists are available to help. Make an appointment with one. You'll be glad you did.
Sunday, August 28, 2016
14 Things Excellent Therapists Do for You, Part One
We all need and benefit from therapists when we're dealing with challenges that are greater than we can deal with on our own. There is no shame in seeing a therapist.
Too often we delay seeing a therapist and thereby prolong our suffering and delay our healing. Our delay not only harms us, it harms those who care about us. I know this from both my professional and personal experiences.
Whether we need a physical therapist, occupational therapist, psychotherapist, or some other kind of therapist, we need our therapists to be excellent therapists.
The following list is not exhaustive. However, it does list fourteen things I believe excellent therapists do.
Excellent therapists-
1. Give you a safe, confidential place in which to talk about what is important to you.
2. Attend to, serve, and take care of you while you're doing your healing work.
3. Listen to you and make sure that you know they are listening.
4. Empathize: see from your perspective and feel your feelings with you.
5. Validate your feelings and comfort you.
6. Reflect back to you what you express in order to help you better understand yourself and your experiences.
7. Help you make informed, constructive decisions about how to make your way forward.
Part Two of 14 Things Excellent Therapists Do for You will complete the list.
What do you think of the list so far? Would you add or remove anything from the first seven items on my list?
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