Therapist Thoughts

You already have a thriving practice and your schedule is booked solid; so why would you consider offering your services online?

Some believe that starting an online practice is for those that are just starting out in the world of therapy. However, that couldn't be farther from the truth.

While at the Canadian Counselling Association National Conference, May 19-22, 2009, I talked with many new and experienced therapists. Many of those with established practices commented to us that they get weekly requests from their current clients to offer their services in an online format.

I spent the week before last in Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada at the Canadian Counselling Association 2009 Conference.   The theme of the conference was "Changing Landscapes" and online counseling was one of the hot topics being discussed.  I did a presentation while I was there called "Online Therapy for a Shrinking Changing Global Community." We recorded it so that I could post it online for those of you interested in this new way of delivering counseling therapy.  I am happy to say that the recording is now available at http://www.normquantz.com/ .  Please make sure to download the workbook as well.

To Your Success,

A huge thank you to the organizers of the Canadian Counseling Association conference in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

This was our first conference and what an amazing response. Our booth was humming at every break as therapists were excited to discover both the online global community we are all a part of here, but also the online solutions for their clients and their practice.

Look for a conference update in our June Newsletter and in Norm's blog. 

There are a lot of questions from practicing therapists about the emerging field of online counseling.  In the podcast audio interview "Identifying Complexities in the New Field of Technology Assisted Counselling Therapy", I interview therapist and researcher specializing in online counseling, Dr. Stephen Goss and we discuss many of the concerns that counseling therapists and mental health professionals have.

The podcast begins with a discussion the new terminology and the current variety of delivery modalities used by the professionals in the mental health field. 

I just posted a new video on my video blog at http://www.normquantz.com/ .  In this video I discuss the ethics of online counseling and the importance of the intake form or intake session.  

With my distance therapy clients I use the same ethical guidelines that I use for my in office clients, making sure that I have emergency contact numbers and the necessary background information to ensure a successful and effective client therapist relationship.  There are a few unique differences in online counseling and video therapy that clients need to be aware of.  Technology is not perfect so it is important that clients are informed and know the plan in the event of a disconnection or power failure.