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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Most Frequently Asked Questions about Online Therapy

Q.  What is Online Counseling?
A.  Online counseling is the provision of professional mental health and substance abuse counseling through the internet. It can also include other electronic means of communication such as telephone or online chats, email, video conferencing. It is confidential, short-term and solution focused.  It is intended to prevent the exacerbation of lifestyle conditions that interfere with health living.  Online Counseling addresses issues such as improving relationships at home and work, stress management, marital/parenting problems, grief and loss, problems with addictions. 
Q. What is not addressed through confidential online counseling?
 A.  Online counseling is suitable for individuals who are not actively suicidal or homicidal or psychotic or at danger of serious harm from withdrawal from alcohol or other substances.  Individuals with these type of issues need to call 911 or go to the nearest ER. Online therapy has its limitations and some clients may need a more traditional approach to therapy, like a a face-to-face counselor.  Examples of some limitations would be individuals with life long treatment resistant problems.  Online therapy is not a place to be diagnosed, you would need to be seen in an office by a medical doctor or clinically licensed counselor.
Q. How is online counseling kept confidential when using the Internet to communicate?
A. Keeping online conversations private is the responsibility of both the therapist and client.  The therapist by law must protect client's private mental health information.  Therapist clinical notes are secured in password/encrypted folders
Q. Does online counseling work?
A.  Yes, in some situations.  Online counseling is still relatively a new way to provide therapeutic services but some research as well as patients who have gone through online counseling state that online counseling can be effective. 
A few research sources: http://psychology.about.com/od/psychotherapy/a/onlinepsych.htm

Richards, Derek & Vigano, Noemi. (2013). OnlineCounseling: A Narrative and Critical Review of the Literature. Journal of Clinical Psychology

Alleman, James R. (2002). Online counseling: The Internet and mental health treatment.
Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, Vol 39(2), 2002, 199-209.

Wagner, Birgit & Harp, Andrea B, & Maercker, Andreas. (2014) Internet-Based Verses Face-To-Face Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A randomized controlled non-inferiority trial. Journal of Affective Disorders. Vol 152(154), 2014, 113-121.

Q. What are some of the challenges of online counseling?
A.  The most common issues with online counseling are problems with the technology being used, connection issues. Interacting without visual or verbal feedback.  It's easy to miscommunicate in written form.

Common questions about the Christian Life

How do I grow closer to God?

Growing closer to God is sometimes as simple as opening your eyes. He is everywhere and in everything that He made. But because of our corrupted perspectives we have trouble seeing God. This is where I with the help of the Holy Spirit can assist you in seeing God again. 

Why do I struggle with the same sin?

Many people struggle with different types of disobedience to God. Human will alone cannot defeat the flesh. We are all born with a 'sinful' nature, the flesh.  It is what drives our behaviors and thoughts. It is the very essential part of a human being and it's very powerful.  The only cure for problems with sin is the healing power of the Blood of Jesus. You cannot overcome your natural self by natural means.  You need the supernatural power. Ever heard or seen the movie, "The Body Snatchers"? In this movie aliens come to earth and take over the humans. The humans were no longer themselves.  This is what Jesus does, if we allow Him to, but not in a creepy, 'you're no longer aware of who you are' kind of way.  He heals you and you are made better person, not a mindless robot.

Can the Bible be trusted?

The resounding answer is YES! the Bible can be trusted. There are many good and reputable sites that have done the research and there is overwhelming physical, archaeological, historical, and scientific facts that proves the Bible is authentic. Check out these websites to research for yourself:
http://www.icr.org/
http://www.essentialbibleblog.com/2013/03/top-10-reasons-bible-is-true.html
http://www.everystudent.com/features/bible.html
http://www.godandscience.org/

there are many, many more, but these are great wealth of information on the Bible, as well as God

How do I stop thinking so negatively?

Changing the way you think is possible. It just takes persistent and committed time and effort to meditate on the Word of God and apply various techniques that I can teach you to follow.
For the Spirit that God gave us does not make us timid or fearful, but gives us POWER, LOVE, and SELF DISCIPLINE- 2 Timothy 1:7
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  • Home
  • MISSION
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog: A New But Not New Mission
  • Privacy, Informed Consent, Fees
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Online Counseling Secure Payment
  • Helpful Tips
  • What to Expect From Therapy