Online Video Peer Counseling
Online video Peer Counseling on a secure platform is always an option with Compassionate Peer Counseling!
During this pandemic, it is essential!
I will continue to do exclusively video Peer Counseling until we are in phase 4 of the re-opening process in Washington State in an effort to protect everyone as much as possible.
After this pandemic you may continue with video Peer Counseling or choose to come into my office. You may also choose to engage in both at your convenience.
What to expect during video Peer Counseling
Although it is different, there are many similarities between in person Peer Counseling and online video Peer Counseling
While we may be restricted visually to seeing the top half of each other, we are still able to read body language and convey emotions that are being felt.
Because of the slight time lag of the video, I have found that it improves my listening skills because I am forced to pause in an effort not to cut off a peer.
Sometimes there can be technical difficulties and we may have to repeat ourselves because one of us gets cut off
Conversation is much the same as it is in person!
We will be engaging in peer to peer dialogue which I will pause from time to time to take notes and ask clarifying questions
How to prepare for video Peer Counseling
If we are meeting for the first time, I will need to verify your identity with some form of ID. Please bring this with you to your first session.
I will ask to verify your address in case there is an emergency and I need to send help or give information.
We will have a backup plan for technical difficulties. Here is the plan I currently use:
1) I will try to reconnect with you twice on our secure video platform
2) I will call you over the phone if I have prior permission
3) I will send you a message in the secure client portal to reschedule, and ask if there's any questions you have
I will ask you to give me a physical signal telling me whether you feel safe to proceed at your location. Traditionally this has been a thumbs up or down.
If you are using a monitor or a laptop it is helpful if the camera is slightly above you and looking slightly down. This is not always possible, and that's okay. We do the best we can. If you are using a laptop you can use books or other things to raise it up.
If you are using your smart phone, it will also be helpful if you can prop it up so that it is looking slightly down at you.
The best lighting, is to have diffuse lighting in front of you and your video source. If you can position yourself in front of a window, natural light is a great lighting source. If a lamp is available, this could also work in front of you and your video source. It needs to be diffuse though, because a bright direct light on your face will be very distracting.
Make sure you are in a safe place where no one else is listening in on your session
Log in 10 minutes early to give your self time to work out any technical difficulties
Instructions to access the secure video platform through the portal
After our initial contact and I have received your contact info, I will send you a link to my secure client portal. This is where you will have access to secure video Peer Counseling.
You will also have the option to get the app that will also give you access to the client portal website which will make online video counseling on your Smart phone very easy. Click here for a link to the app.
You can also do video peer counseling through the secure client portal on your computer with a Firefox or Chrome browser.
Once an appointment is scheduled as a video teleconference, we will both have access to the secure video platform.
10 minutes before your appointment is scheduled, log into your portal on a computer or use your app.
Click on the appointments tab in your portal, to see your scheduled appointments and if they are video conferences or not
Once you click on the appointments tab, then click scheduled, your upcoming appointments will be listed. If an appointment is a video conference, it will have a video icon as shown above.
To prepare for your video Peer Counseling session click on the video conference checklist to preview and test your microphone and camera.
This is what your checklist and preview will look like
After you have previewed your camera, click on video conference to connect to your video Peer Counseling session.
Here is what your screen will look like when you are connected and waiting for me to connect.
Here is what the screen will look like before you are connected. You can preview your camera here or just join your session.
Once I am connected I will appear in the main screen (where my bathroom cabinet is now) and you will be in the smaller screen in the lower right-hand corner.
How this will look on the Jituzu smart phone app
On the calendar tab is where you will find your appointments.
You will appear in the top left corner video. Click connect on the bottom left to connect with me for your video Peer Counseling session.
Once you click on a scheduled appointment, you will be able to see if it is a video conference by the green video icon. Click on the green video icon to connect to your video Peer Counseling session.
Once we are connected, I will appear on the lower bigger screen where my kitchen is now. When we are done you will hit the blue Disconnect Icon on the bottom right corner.