Providing Virtual Counselling in Vancouver and Across BC
What is Virtual and/or Online Counselling?
Online Counselling or Online Psychotherapy uses common technology such as a computer or phone to facilitate therapy sessions. It’s suitable for those who wish to enjoy therapy from the comfort of their homes, those unable to attend sessions in person due to health concerns or those who live in rural communities.
Who is Virtual Counselling for?
- As our world has gotten busier, technology has evolved to connect us in previously impossible ways. Online therapy can be an excellent option for many people, especially if:
- It’s difficult for you to find the time to go to a therapist’s office in person;
- You live in a remote or small town where there aren’t a lot of therapists available, and the closest one to you still lives far away;
- You need more flexible hours than most therapy offices can provide;
- You feel more comfortable using an app than talking to a stranger in person.
Benefits of Online Therapy
- There are many advantages to seeing a mental health counsellor from home through an online platform, which is why many people choose virtual counselling therapy over in-person treatments. Some advantages include:
- Convenience - you can see a therapist from the comfort of home, without travelling to an office. Ensure you have access to a nice, quiet room that offers you privacy, and you’re good to go!
- Accessibility - mobility is often an underrated issue when accessing care for mental health. Online sessions make therapy far more accessible for people who are disabled, housebound or limited due to health concerns.
- Privacy - online therapy can offer you more privacy than in-person sessions. For example, if video makes you uncomfortable, you can chat live with an online therapist over text or phone. Seeing a licensed therapist online also means you’ll never have to worry about accidentally running into someone you know at your therapist’s office.
- The Right Fit - you’re not limited to seeing therapists who live in the same city as you, which means you can choose from a wide range of licensed therapists with different areas of expertise, including trauma, grief, loss, cross-cultural issues, addiction or work life.
How it Works: The Jane Platform
At Blue Sky Wellness Clinic, we utilize the Jane platform for booking and online appointments. The online appointments feature was built exclusively within Jane to ensure it’s a secure infrastructure that meets privacy standards set out by multiple Canadian healthcare providers accrediting bodies (ex: British Columbia’s Association of Clinical Counsellors). The Jane platform provides secure peer-to-peer audiovisual communication. All traffic flows directly between each user’s web browser and bypasses any servers. The traffic is encrypted in transit, and none of the data is stored anywhere at any time. By doing so, Jane ensures all sessions hosted on their online platform are PIPEDA and HIPAA approved.
