E-CLINIC
FAQÕs
Have questions? Read further to find out more about how these services might better meet your needs.
What in the world is an E-Clinic?
Great first question. An E-Clinic is our way of referring to the counseling services we are now offering through the assistance of technology. These options are in addition to the more traditional in-office therapy sessions also available at Epona Counseling Center. The three options available include email, e-chat or telephone counseling.
E-Counseling (e-mail) involves the exchange of emails between yourself and a fully licensed, insured and well-qualified therapist. This option is likely to appeal to you if you are struggling with a particular issue or question that you wish you could just Ôrun byÕ a qualified mental health professional for an objective Ôsecond opinion.Õ
Phone-counseling Ð This option is a bit more personal in that it involves speaking with and exchanging dialogue with a ÔrealÕ person whose voice you actually hear! Essentially, phone sessions would proceed much like a more traditional therapy session minus the visual cues that typically are present in a face-to-face meeting.
E-chat Ð This option is for those individuals who are comfortable with accessing and using an online chat option to participate in a Ôreal timeÕ exchange with their therapist.
So youÕre expecting me to believe these options are considered therapy?
That depends on your definition of therapy. No question that all three options do not fit the traditional Ôtalk therapyÕ pigeon-hole. Many individuals have chosen to engage in the more traditional office/couch therapy route and have not found it to be particularly helpful or therapeutic. It all depends on your needs as an individual and how well you connect with your therapist. You may feel more comfortable sitting face-to-face in an office and that would be the best option for you. The next person, depending on their needs and circumstances, may benefit equally by exchanging emails via the Internet. Studies consistently conclude that the best predictor of a positive therapy outcome is the therapeutic rapport developed between the client and their therapist and not the particular mode or method of therapy.
IÕm leery of technology and a tad nervous about sharing my secrets and fears via the Internet.
Understood. That said, the Internet option might not be the best choice for you. There are many steps you can take on your home computer to add additional layers of privacy protection but we all know that even large corporations are not immune to hackers. It is up to you to determine your comfort level with an Internet exchange. We are not technology experts but will provide a list of security options that you can check out.
The flipside of this concern is that as the world advances technologically, we are all faced with decisions in how immersed in technology we want to become. There is risk in all that we do. Accurately assessing your comfort level with a counseling option is key to your successful resolution of whatever issues are on your plate. WeÕd be happy to talk with you and provide answers to any questions or concerns you may have. NOTE: We are not technology gurus and are unable to provide technological assistance or support.
Do we ever meet in person?
That can be arranged if you and your therapist decide it is an important aspect in your process. It might provide an added layer of comfort for you if you were able to meet with your therapist for the initial appointment to complete paperwork. At the very least, we recommend that there be at least one Ôget acquaintedÕ phone call to complete intake paperwork and set up you payment options. That way you can have a voice or a face attached to the text on the other end of the phone or to the fingers exchanging emails with you.
Speaking of payment, what does this cost?
E-Clinic time is purchased in 30 minute blocks at $1.00 per minute. Preferred payment is by credit card however personal checks are accepted with the understanding that your funds must clear our bank before sessions actually begin. With your permission, we will keep your credit card information securely on file to make it more convenient to purchase additional blocks of time. This will prevent your sessions from being interrupted because youÕve forgotten to recharge your minutes. Your E-Clinic therapist will review the amount of minutes you have banked at the beginning of each session so you have a clear understanding of how much time youÕve used and have left to use. We also encourage you to keep track of your time on your end in case there are any discrepancies.
All e-clinic options begin with a 20-30 minute intake completed by phone. After all the necessary information is gathered, your therapist will schedule a convenient day and time to meet in the E-Clinic.
Typically a phone session would run from 30-45 minutes and would be scheduled once a week or as needed.
An e-chat/email session would run from 30-45 minutes and would be scheduled once a week or as needed.
The therapist is responsible for noting the start and finish time. Minutes are used in increments of 15 minutes and cannot be carried over. So if you use 7 minutes of a 15 minute block of time, the last 8 minutes are yours to use, as they cannot be carried over to the next session. This may all sound a bit confusing but we are happy to walk you through this portion of the details.
Will my insurance pay for any of this?
Insurance companies typically not willing to directly reimburse for theses services, as they are not yet considered a standard of practice. Insurance companies are not fans of a non-traditional approach. Nonetheless, we would be happy to provide you with an itemized receipt that you can submit to your insurance in hopes that they may reimburse you directly. All therapists are fully licensed, insured mental health professionals and providing services that they are fully qualified to perform.
Why would I want to do any of these?
Another great question!
The short list is the E-Clinic provides options that are effective and affordable. They provide you with the help you need when you need it. You no longer need to put it off. We make it convenient to take care of YOU.
Why wouldnÕt I choose these options?
These options are not for everyone. Not everyone is comfortable with the idea of sharing personal information over the phone or Internet. Also, if you are dealing with particularly difficult issues and are emotionally vulnerable or suicidal, these options would not be your best choice.
If you are curiously considering any of these options, it is important that you have access to and are technically comfortable with email and online chatting. If you were considering the phone counseling option, you would need to consider any long distance charges that may apply if using a land line. If you plan to use your cell phone, you would need to ensure you have adequate minutes in your plan to support your E-Clinic appointments.
Come on, can you really call this therapy?
If you have read all the questions and still find yourself a skeptic, thatÕs okay. Although technology-assisted therapy has been around for quite some time, it is just making its way into Ômainstream.Õ We encourage you to read the additional information we provided in our E-Clinic online. Do your own research; talk with friends and family before you determine if this is the right option for you. WeÕre here to answer any questions you might have.