You can do it! How do I know? Because this exceedingly techno-challenged woman-of-a-certain-age (ahem!) was able to figure it out, so you can, too!
What is Skype? Skype is simply one of the many videoconferencing tools available to allow people to meet when they are in different geographical locations. Skype has been around awhile, so they’ve worked a lot of the bugs out. Skype is very user-friendly – hence my ability to figure it out! Skype is free.
Why do counseling via Skype? So many good reasons. You are home with your contagious little one – you aren’t sick, but you can’t leave them with a sitter – we can still have our appointment from the privacy and comfort of your living room, kitchen or home office. You are on vacation for several weeks, but don’t want to be without the support you need – we can meet from your hotel room or the bedroom in your Aunt Myrtle’s house if she has internet. You live too far away to come to Lompoc for an in-person appointment. You have a disability or other medical condition that makes traveling difficult, even short distances. Privacy and confidentiality needs are such that you don’t even want it known that you are in counseling.
Does it work? Whatever your reason for using it, Skype counseling is helpful. Counseling in person will always be the very best method – but as I have been testing the counseling process via videoconferencing I’m finding there are a lot fewer drawbacks than I expected. We can see each other, hear each other’s tone of voice, look into each other’s eyes, look together at the same materials, etc. Once in a while there can be a “glitch” in the technology, but so far I have experienced very little of that.
Ever wished a friend or loved one could see a Biblical Counselor in their area? Now they can – me!