Skype

Online Counselling Using Skype

Technology has become an essential part of all of our lives – it can even be useful in personal growth work. While using the internet as a mode of communication for therapy may seem somewhat unconventional, online video conferencing is an effective, confidential and convenient alternative to face-to-face sessions.

I currently use the internet with great success to work with clients who are unable to visit me in person or who prefer to work online. I’ve seen clients in Sweden, Afghanistan, the US, Canada and here in Australia.

The program I use is Skype, a free, high quality video conferencing program that allows us to see and hear each other using your computer and a webcam (and headset if you choose). Skype is free to download off the internet, easy to install and set up, is free of adware/malware/spyware etc and, most importantly, is confidential.

Online counselling with me using Skype is suitable for a large number of areas. My specialty is relationship, and working over Skype is effective for most of the issues people bring to me. However, personality disorders, bipolar, clinical depression and other serious disorders are not candidates for online counselling because in my opinion these require face-to-face sessions to be effectively treated.

If you are interested in seeing me ‘virtually’, I offer a free 30-minute setup session where we can meet one another and test Skype.

Is Skype Confidential?

Yes, all Skype sessions are encrypted to ensure privacy and confidentiality. You can read more about it on Skype’s website here and here.

Testimonials

“It took me a while to schedule my first appointment  because I thought figuring out Skype would be a huge hassle. It’s not! It’s so easy to download and to use. Plus, calls over the internet are free, even internationally! Now I can see Garth in the comfort of my own home – no commute, no parking, no childcare needed. It couldn’t be more convenient.” – name withheld

“I just finished my first session with Garth via Skype. I am amazed at how present it felt. I was concerned about the feeling of talking with delays and the robotic feeling of sitting in front of a screen. And phone alone is not an option as I am very visual. But it was surprisingly easy to just pick up where we left off from our local sessions in Seattle. I am grateful for this option – no parking, no childcare, no starting from scratch with an entirely new counselor. Just clicked the “phone button” and there was Garth’s usual creativity, focus and openheartedness.” – name withheld

“I had been working with Garth in person for close to a year when he shared that he was moving. Although happy for him, I was scared about not being able to continue my journey with him. When he suggested Skype as a method for us to continue our sessions I was relieved to have a continuation, however I was skeptical as to whether we could achieve the same level of connectedness and presence from different continents across an internet connection and a webcam. Surprisingly the Skype sessions have opened up a different level of comfortableness for me to share. Different aspects of myself are coming out because I am in my own space, I am in my world and yet Garth’s presence still is able to transmit into it. I am so thankful to have his grounding presence in my life as I continue my journey in discovering me.” – name withheld

To Get Started with Skype:

1. Go the Skype website and download the latest version of Skype for Windows or Mac, then install it on your computer. For help and any questions you have about setting up or using Skype, click here.

2. Open Skype and add me to your Contact List. My username is ‘garthalley’.

3. You will need a webcam if your computer doesn’t have one built in, and possibly a headset (though I don’t use one with my Mac). To take a look at the webcams and headsets that Skype (and I) recommend, click here.

4. Go to my online booking calendar to set your first appointment. Select a 30-minute session if you want a free Skype setup session, otherwise go ahead and book a full hour (or more) for a standard session.

I look forward to meeting and serving you virtually.

• Garth’s 3-hour Workshop