Categoría: General Counseling

Since March of 2020, many clients are faced with the decision of Face-to-Face or Tele-Mental Health Counseling. A question that is asked of our office “is tele-mental health the same as face-to-face?” The short answer is yes and no. Ultimately, how tele-mental health benefits you will depend on the format.

Safe Haven Counseling Center (SHCC) offers an online format. The online format provides a HIPPA/PHI compliant approach. You are able to see your clinician and your clinician can see you. Many of our clients have enjoyed the online format as an exchange to the face-to-face. The other format is by phone. Phone is beneficial for those who may not have stable internet. It can also be used as a quality back-up plan.

Tele-mental health can provide the quality care that we have all come to expect from face-to-face. It really is a matter of personal preference and which approach will help you best reach your goals.

Congratulations on making that first step to research, call, and schedule your first appointment for counseling. Now the next difficult step is to answer your phone when our clinician calls or signing in to your online link.

At Safe Haven Counseling Center (SHCC) our first session we will review the guidelines of confidentiality and SHCC’s Office Policies. Everything that you say will stay between you and your clinician, unless (1) you provide your clinician permission, (2) we are subpoenaed by court, (3) you are a minor being abused, (4) you are planning on hurting yourself, and/or (5) you are planning on hurting someone else. As I tell any of my clients, if any of these come up your clinician will talk about it with you extensively prior to making any notifications and you will be apart of all decisions. SHCC’s office policy is a request that appointments are cancelled at least 48 hours prior to your appointment. This allows your clinician to help you find a good time to reschedule and also allow those on our waiting list to come in sooner. There is a late fee of $70 for late cancellations and no-shows. This is reviewed in the first session as well. SHCC clinicians welcome your questions regarding confidentiality and office policies. 🙂

Typically the first session feels shorter because as clinicians, we do have to go over the confidentiality and office policies by law. Once we move past this and any questions, you and your clinician are able to begin discussing the issues that led you to seeking counseling. At SHCC our goal is to provide you with a “tool” that you are able to implement in-between sessions. Our clinicians also strive to schedule you on a regular weekly or bi-weekly schedule in order to help you reach your goals effectively.