Is there no area still untouched by web video? The mental health and personal performance fields have gained a new web site that allows anyone to browse for therapists and coaches…by symptom/problem no less…and then video chat with their chosen professional.
The site is called Mentaline and it claims to be the “world’s largest therapy and coaching universe”. Membership is free (though the sessions are not) and users can chat with professionals via video or audio, take online notes during their sessions or simply connect with other people anonymously, through forums.
I’m not exactly sure how this works with healthcare privacy laws and I’m certain insurance isn’t accepted, but there are currently (as of the moment I write this) 119 therapists and 99 coaches awaiting calls.
Hi Dave and thanks for sharing this. As a therpaist with 35 years experience I thought I’d throw in a couple comments for anyone who might be considering this route. And for the record, I’m still old school and am not personally involved in any online counseling; but try to stay up to date on what’s new (ergo my subscription to your list.)
Online counseling is definately HERE and being offered by more and more therapists (although still very few of the total.) It certainly can be beneficial for folks who have internet access, but don’t have easy access to a therapist’s office. But (IMHO) it is not an equal substitue for in person counseling. An experienced counselor will be aware of a client’s ‘complete presence’, e.g. full body movement, subtle changes in expression, and use all that information in understanding and assisting the client. While video sure offers more than just written word or telephone dialogue, it’s still much less than being in the same room.
Online counseling is still very much in its infancy – and to a great extent it’s like the wild west out there. So, you may want to take extra steps to verify a counselor’s bonafides. I believe currently all but one state requires a license for someone to practice as a counselor. The actual requirements vary a bit, but typically include at least a master’s degree and 2 years/2000 hours of supervised practice BEFORE one can offer counseling independently. This provides some degree of assurance that the counselor you see is qualified. Of course, on the web things are not always as they seem, so buyer beware. This is NOT to suggest online counselors are not qualified. I know of several very skilled professionals who provide services online.
At this time coaching in most states is NOT licensed or regulated in a formal manner. There are some national organizations working to provide standards and quality assurance in coaching; but they provide a certification, not a license. So at this time most anyone can hang a shingle and proclaim themself a coach. Again, this is NOT suggesting that coaching is not legitimate or online coaches are not qualified or beneficial. However, it may take even more work to determine if someone is credible and going to provide you what you’re paying for.
Which leads to a last point on using online services. Counseling licenses are issued by states… but the internet doesn’t pay much attention to such boundaries and jurisdictions. Frankly, the technology is WAY ahead of the professional guidelines and laws governing counseling. Most state laws haven’t even touched this yet, probably because they’re clueless about how to manage it. As a consumer you don’t face any legal concerns about chatting with a counselor from another state; but whether the counselor is violating the law by serving you (tehcnically practicing in a state where he/she isn’t licensed) is another question. It’s kind of a mess! But, this could affect you if you’re not satisified with the service or feel the person acted in an unprofessional manner. When you see someone locally there is a clearly identified state board to receive your complaint, investigate, and take action if needed. But online, who you gonna call?
So much more that could be said, buy hey… this is an AV blog! Online video counseling is here and evolving quickly, but it’s still a ‘proceed with caution’ environment.