As many of us, I have seen more than a few comments regarding Zoom Video Communications, Inc., and the wistful thought, “If only I would have bought stock in Zoom® …” (When it went public it opened at $36, close that day was $62, and it hovered around that mark when this pandemic started with 1 confirmed case on January 13, it was $74. At the time I write this it is $256.80 a share.)
This is not about that. This is about video counseling, my experience, my clients’ experiences, and why I am considering limiting my practice to providing counseling only through video.
When I first started providing mental health services after graduating in 2012, my work was location-specific. I saw clients at specific locations, at times when the specific location was open, and when no one else was scheduled to be using the counseling room. For 6 years I worked at the Helping Up Mission in East Baltimore with an assigned office, office hours, and saw clients Monday through Friday 40 hours a week. When the HUM was closed for holidays or weather-related days, I did not see clients. When I left and became a contract worker for Safe Harbor Behavioral Care, I saw clients at a different location each weekday. Each had a private and inviting counseling room. Outside of those location-based office hours, I had regular video-based telehealth clients constituting 10% of my caseload. Some had signed up for the convenience of fitting in regular therapy sessions without having to leave their office or home. A few were homebound due to medical conditions or physical limitations. And when there was a location closure–typically snow- or ice-related–some of my “non-video clients” would switch to meeting over video.
After Governor Hogan declared a state of emergency in Maryland on March 5, anticipating what might be coming, and wanting my clients and me to be prepared, on March 15 I emailed all of my clients, saying in part:
Everyone who receives this email has the option for telehealth, using a computer or smartphone to meet me for a counseling session. I regularly meet that way with 1/10 of my clients who chose that option, During the current COVID-19 disruption, I am reaching out to you to ask whether you would consider this over the next few weeks.
None of my locations had shut down, nor had the law yet required it. I wanted to try it out with every willing client, "just in case." Some clients said they would wait it out, but most agreed.
Two days later came limitations on large group gatherings and the recommended shutdown of non-essential businesses. The very next weekend, the shut-downs started. My Monday location was the first, but the rest followed. I had guessed right. That was 3/16/2020.
Disadvantage, client
Prior to this year, some of my clients just preferred “live and in person” sessions. Some weren't comfortable with technology, some wanted to get out of the house for privacy reasons, one because he was on Zoom® meetings “all day” for his job and some just because they weren't used to it. One did not have a computer at home nor did he have a smart phone.
As I mentioned earlier, I have always had video clients. Some were home-bound. Others worked from their home–this before COVID-19–and did not want to have to drive somewhere. Still others, had schedules so busy that they did not want to go out again after a day of work or on the weekends.
Meeting from the comfort of home is an attractive alternative for some Some meet me from work—whether home office or outside office—before the workday or during the lunch hour. Others see me after the work day, with the convenience of staying home, without concern for or having to deal with the weather.
Working at one location on a given day, like all counselors, I had to cope with gaps in my schedule. Working from home, gaps in my schedule are (sometimes) welcomed breaks. I was able to open up my schedule to be available for longer periods of time because I did not have to share the location with other counselors. I could work as many hours as I wanted. I did not have to commute.
Gaps in my schedule due to missed or cancelled appointments are less of a hassle. I no longer have to leave home early to make it to an 8am appointment 30 miles away sometimes to find that my client had car problems and had to cancel at the last minute. I may get the same text, but now I can read it when it arrives and plan on other office work, and I have only "commuted" from the coffee pot in the kitchen to my home office. This provides convenience and flexibility for me, financial savings (I used to fill up my auto gas tank weekly, now it is more than monthly), and the associated environmental benefits.
A big win for me is since I am not sharing a location with ot others, I can see as many clients as can be scheduled. The bottom line is
It's not for everyone
As stated earlier, some clients cannot handle the tech no matter how "error-proof." Some are technophobic, and fear making errors or "breaking the Internet." Some do not want the technology that makes video counseling usable and useful. For others, it may not feel like a "real; therapy session,' and they will often feel a little put-off by the rate.
I have heard some counselors say, “I just can’t be ‘present’ with the client over a video connection.” I think they haven’t tried, but fine. Know your limitations. I don’t find it very limiting. And for me, the benefit of seeing someone in the comfort of her or his living room or bedroom may offer other opportunities for insight.
It’s worth a try
What could go wrong? When things “go back to normal,” whenever that is, what if some or all my clients want to switch to “live and in person” counseling? “What if?” If it happens, it will not happen all at once; there will be time to reevaluate and regroup. Second, now that everyone has tried video, more see the benefits I expect more to ask for it.
It's worth try.
