Online Counselling & Online Psychologist Australia / NZ

Online counselling OR TELEHEALTH for couples and individuals

With online counselling, you can access a qualified and experienced psychologist or counsellor using Skype or Zoom technology. Your telehealth appointment will be conducted just like a face-to-face session - you will be able to see, hear and interact with your counsellor or psychologist ‘virtually’ for the length of the session. All our online counsellors are practising psychologists or counsellors, who currently see a mixture of both face-to-face and online clients.

select from over 40 experienced practitioners with one call

With dozens of professional counsellors and psychologists to choose from, our team can help you find the right therapist for you. Call us today for a confidential chat about your needs.

Medicare and Reduced Rates available
 

In some cases, Medicare or private health fund rebates may be available. To access a Medicare rebate, you will need to obtain a special referral from your GP prior to your sessions. Limited bulk billing services are available for vulnerable people affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If you are suffering financial hardship due to COVID-19, and cannot afford our usual fees, a reduced rate may be available. Contact our office for more information.

How do I access my session?

All you need is a computer, a reliable internet service, and a private uninterrupted space in which to hold your counselling session.

Once you have made an online counselling appointment, you will receive an email from us with clear instructions on how to access your online appointment.

If you are ready to book or just want to make an enquiry simply complete this form to get started.

Who is Online THERAPY for?

Online Counselling or Therapy using Zoom or Skype is a convenient and safe option for everyone. It is particularly vital in times like these, where we are all experiencing high stress but are restricted from travelling due to social distancing measures and the COVID-19 crisis.

Online counselling is also useful for people that have difficulty travelling to appointments either because of distance/remoteness, mobility problems, people with childcare commitments or simply those with a busy work and travel schedule.

What issues are WELL suited?

Common psychological issues such as depression, worry, anxiety (including agoraphobia), stress, grief, life direction, relationship issues, pain management and anger management are all suitable for online counselling via Zoom or Skype.

Indeed research has shown that online counselling can help people feel less inhibited and more forthright during their counselling sessions, and so online counselling can be particularly useful where feelings of shame or embarrassment make it difficult for a person to feel comfortable attending appointments face-to-face in consulting rooms (1).

For example, issues associated with sexual difficulties, such as sexual orientation, sex addiction or sexual dysfunction, can be particularly well suited to online counselling.

Likewise, clients might feel freer, in an online environment, to openly discuss issues or experiences or thoughts which feel awkward to us or of which we are ashamed. 

Agoraphobia (a fear of open and public spaces) can be well suited to online counselling. You may be fearful seeking therapy and online counselling can be an excellent way of getting psychological treatment.

 

IS ONLINE THERAPY EFFECTIVE?


Yes, research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as face to face therapy. While people may initially be hesitant to seek therapy online, studies show that in most cases client outcomes, symptom improvement and satisfaction are equivalent for online therapy versus face to face (2). Telehealth services have been used to effectively treat insomnia (3), depression, anxiety, stress, social phobia and improve overall wellbeing (4).

Which presentations are not appropriate?

In general Online Counselling or Skype therapy is not appropriate where a person’s life may be in danger through self-harming behaviour, harm to others or where there are concerns about the wellbeing of a child under the age of 16.

Severe and enduring psychiatric presentations that require a multidisciplinary team approach such as psychosis, unmedicated bipolar disorder or eating disorders - where the person’s life may be in danger - are likewise not suited to online counselling. Bipolar disorder is only manageable by Skype if the person is also engaged with a psychiatrist and compliant with medication.

Online Counselling via Skype or Zoom is suitable for couples counselling or relationship therapy. Individual clients are also free to discuss relationship issues with their online counsellor.
 

How does Online Therapy work?

The aim of our Online Counsellor or Online Psychologist is to provide you with a psychological consultation or counselling session in the same way in which it would be provided if you were attending a physical appointment. Using Skype or Zoom video and audio technology, you will be able interact with the therapist or psychologist in much the same way as when you attend a consulting room.

If you think Online Counselling might be right for you, contact us today and our admin team will answer any questions you might have and help determine if your issues are appropriate for online counselling.

Once you have made an Online Counselling appointment, you will receive an email from us with clear instructions on how to access your online appointment, as well as payment instructions.

 

What TECHNOLOGIES DO I NEED FOR ONLINE THERapy?

For sessions via Zoom or Skype, you will need a computer with a camera and audio capacity. Internet broadband, or a strong and reliable internet connection, is essential.

If you have an iphone, you may be able to use Facetime for your session.

It is also essential that you have a private space where you will not be disturbed for the duration of your 50-minute telehealth counselling consultation.

For sessions which take place on Zoom, you will be sent a link to your oline appointment after making your booking. If you already have Zoom loaded on your computer, you just click the link to access the session. Otherwise your computer will ask you to download Zoom which will happen automatically and will only take a few minutes. 

If your session is via Skype, you need to create a Skype account. See here for more info about how to set up Skype. 

Of course, if you are not comfortable using these technologies, you can arrange a telephone counselling session, and simply take an 'old-fashion' phone call from your therapist,
 

HOw do I make payment for my online  SESSION?

Most of our counsellors accept payment via direct deposit which can be done via internet banking. Some of our clinicians will accept credit card over the phone.
 

REFERENCES

1.     Putnam, D. E., & Maheu, M. M. (2000). Online sexual addiction and compulsivity: Integrating web resources and behavioral telehealth in treatment. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention, 7(1-2), 91-112.

2.     Ruskin, P. E., Silver-Aylaian, M., Kling, M. A., Reed, S. A., Bradham, D. D., Hebel, J. R., ... & Hauser, P. (2004). Treatment outcomes in depression: comparison of remote treatment through telepsychiatry to in-person treatment. American Journal of Psychiatry, 161(8), 1471-1476.

3.     Lichstein, K. L., Scogin, F., Thomas, S. J., DiNapoli, E. A., Dillon, H. R., & McFadden, A. (2013). Telehealth cognitive behavior therapy for co‐occurring insomnia and depression symptoms in older adults. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(10), 1056-1065.

4.     Durland, L., Interian, A., Pretzer-Aboff, I., Dobkin, R. D., Durland, L., Interian, A., & Dobkin, R. D. (2014). Effect of telehealth-to-home interventions on quality of life for individuals with depressive and anxiety disorders. mental health care, 9, 12.