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(This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/emmacameron/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114This is additional information for new and current clients. Please also see my main page about online art therapy counselling.<\/a><\/p>\n I recommend that you use headphones\/ earbuds for online therapy, as this can help a lot with sound quality issues. Please think carefully about where you will be when we have the session. For example, some clients prefer not to have their bedroom as their therapy room, whilst others are fine with that. It is important that you find somewhere with a good wifi signal, and where you can speak uninterrupted and in privacy. Other people should not be able to walk into or through the room. Try to reduce distractions (e.g. turn off notifications and alerts so you don’t have email or phone notifications interrupting the session).<\/p>\n Occasionally technology may let us down. To minimise the chances of this happening, please close\/ quit all open applications on your computer or device, apart from Zoom. For example, quit your email program, your internet browser, Dropbox, Word documents, Evernote, etc. Ask other people in the house to avoid streaming videos or video games while you have your session. Using ethernet rather than relying on wifi can also help. Avoid using shared public wifi as this is less secure and may not reliably give enough bandwidth.<\/p>\n If we are on video (Zoom) and the internet connection is unstable, we can first try using voice only rather than video (this is easy to do on Zoom). This uses less bandwidth so it may be the solution. If necessary, we can also use the Live Chat function. If that fails, or if you prefer to speak by phone, I will call you using my landline if you are in the UK, using the number(s) you give me. (If you are overseas, we will need to work out an alternative arrangement between us). Please feel free to discuss with me if you would prefer that I do not call you.<\/p>\n Sometimes things go wrong with technology and communication is interrupted, so it’s important for us to check. Please feel free to check with me if you feel I have not responded as I should have, or if I have misunderstood something, or if you are unable to continue our work for some reason. I positively welcome your feedback about any aspect of the online therapy process.<\/p>\n If you choose to work with me via by email, we would agree that you would send me your email by a certain day (using ProtonMail, a free mail site which is more secure and confidential than normal email), and then I will send you my response on a particular day. For example, we might agree that you will send me an email each week on a Wednesday, with me sending you my response on a Friday.\u00a0I would expect to spend 50-60 minutes per session on reading your email carefully, and formulating my response. My ProtonMail email address is espcameron[at]protonmail.com<\/p>\n It is particularly important, when working online or by phone, to let me know when I have misunderstood or ‘missed’ you in some way, and I would encourage you to let me know when this happens (as it is bound to, from time to time). If you ignore or don’t mention any miscommunications, the therapy will be less effective and you won’t get the value that you deserve.<\/p>\n I each work with client on a weekly basis (apart from certain planned breaks). If you’d like a more ad-hoc arrangement where you can dip in and out of therapy, I am probably not the best therapist for you.<\/p>\n I set aside a time slot each week that is for your session, and this is your financial responsibility. If you cancel at short notice, or do not show up for your scheduled session, you will be expected to pay the full session fee. However I do offer some flexibility: if you find you can’t make a session, and our schedules align, we may be able to reschedule to a different day\/time that week. I will make every effort to find a time for you. I will let you know of my own planned holiday breaks in advance.<\/p>\n An alternative might be that we communicate by email instead. I would expect to spend a total of around 50-60 minutes per week on this.<\/p>\n In the event of either of us being unable to attend or continue the therapy, we each undertake to let the other know wherever possible. If I don’t hear from you within a reasonable time, around a week, I will email you to check out if you are alright.<\/p>\n If you need to contact me between sessions, please use email, but note that I cannot guarantee to be available if you need to speak to me urgently (see next section below for emergency support). If it is non-urgent, but you need a reply before our next scheduled session, please email or text and I will aim to respond within 48 hours. Unscheduled calls or emails that take me over 10 minutes, will be charged for. If you feel you need urgent help and are in acute crisis please go to the Accident & Emergency department of your nearest hospital. Other useful sources of crisis support include Befrienders<\/a>, Samaritans<\/a> and Papyrus<\/a>.<\/p>\n There is no expectation that you will follow my professional social media accounts or blog, although you are free to do so if you choose. I do not ‘friend’, reply to, or follow my clients on social media. If you are on my general email list you may prefer to unsubscribe, so that our relationship is kept between ourselves. I recommend that you do not reply to or comment on anything on my professional Facebook page, Twitter account etc, as this could compromise your privacy. I also ask that you do not share details of our work together, on social media or online, without discussing with me first.<\/p>\n As a registered member of ACTO (Association of Therapists and Counsellors Online), I observe their guidelines for online therapy, and will respect your privacy at all times. Your communications will normally remain confidential between us. An exception to this is where I need to take some of the issues to professional consultation (strictly confidential), to ensure that I am working in a way that is safe and beneficial to you, as required by my professional code. If it becomes apparent that a different therapist or method would suit you better, I will try to assist you in finding the most appropriate way forward.Online sessions<\/h2>\n
What happens if the technology fails<\/h2>\n
Email Therapy<\/h2>\n
When there’s a problem<\/h2>\n
If you can’t make a session<\/h2>\n
Contact between sessions<\/h2>\n
\nIf you wish to contact me between sessions and do not need a reply, for example to send me an art image you have created that you would like to discuss in the next session, you can email it to me via ProtonMail and I will look at it carefully, and I will then talk with you about it when our session time comes around.<\/p>\nEmergency support<\/h2>\n
Social Media<\/h2>\n
Keeping your information safe<\/h2>\n
\nI will not reveal your identity, and will take all necessary precautions to protect your privacy. I may be obliged to break confidentiality if you have indicated that that there is a risk of harm to yourself or someone else, and I am required by ethics to seek guidance from other professionals.\u00a0I would need to inform the police in the event that someone might be hurt or a crime be committed from what you tell me. I would normally expect to discuss this beforehand with you.<\/p>\n