Online Counselling

How can I tell if online therapy is right for me?

Online counselling and online therapy can be a great option for people who are busy, live in remote areas, or would otherwise prefer to receive treatment digitally. While online counselling is both beneficial and available to everyone, it may particularly benefit the following people:

• Individuals and families living in rural or remote areas where resources and services are scarce.
• Executives, managers, and other levels of personnel seeking counselling but are not able to take time away during work hours to attend counselling sessions.
• Individuals with barriers to mobility or transportation.
• Individuals with particular phobias or other difficulties that are restricting their capacity to leave their house or to participate in an in-person counselling session.
• Parents or caregivers struggling to find child care during their counselling appointments.
• Couples or family members seeking joint counselling or mediation services but are unable to come together in person due to various reasons such as being a significant distance away from each other or undergoing a difficult and contentious separation.

At this time, online counselling is only available to residents of Alberta, and you MUST be physically in Alberta  for the duration of the online counselling session.

How does online counselling work?

Once your appointment is confirmed, you will receive an email with a link to the online counselling session (facilitated securely via Jane). Prior to your appointment simply click the link, review the privacy policy and meet with your therapist at the scheduled time!

Are my online appointments private?

Insight Psychological takes your privacy very seriously, and we’ve ensured that all your online appointments are private by selecting Jane over other less secure programs or platforms. Jane is a fully encrypted platform that requires minimal information and complies with Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), The Personal Information Protection Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), and all equivalent personal health information protection legislation in Canada. Click HERE to read more about Jane’s privacy and security measures.

To access online counselling appointments, users simply need a tablet, computer, or mobile device with access to the internet.

How do I prepare for an online counselling appointment?

To prepare for an online counselling appointment, make sure that you complete the following steps.

1. Follow the instructions in the appointment confirmation email and complete the Consent for Online Treatment. Please do this at least 30 minutes prior to the start of your online session.
2. Download the Jane App or ensure that you have the most recent version of your preferred browser if you prefer to join the online video call via your web browser.
3. Ensure that you have a strong internet connection.
   Please note: other apps streaming on the same internet will affect connection quality. Please refrain from having others streaming or downloading during your online session. (ie. Netflix, video chats, etc).
   
4. Find a comfortable, private place to conduct your online session. Locate some headphones or ear buds for optimal sound quality during your call.
5. Relax and get ready to meet with your therapist in the comfort of a location you have chosen!

*Please note that any additional consent forms for children or family/couples counselling must be completed and submitted prior to booking your appointment.