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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kind Girl on April 27, 2004, at 9:20:01
Hey all,
Today I have a "phone" session with T. She and I have been talking about how it seems like eternity between sessions (I go once a week, one hour), and she has mentioned phone sessions between face to face. (I live over an hour away from her office). So, last week when she was holding me and I was hysterically sobbing (it was soooooooooooooooooooooooooo painful), I asked if it would be okay to have a phone session this week. She jumped on it and said she thought it was a fabulous idea, and at the end of our time together we came up with today for the phone call.Does anyone else have phone sessions? I gave her extra money last week for it because I wasn't sure what she charges and didn't want to ask (YUCK. I struggle with paying her to love me as it is and I know that you can't pay someone to love you but that is what it feels like you know)....are phone sessions good? What do you get out of them? I am afraid I am going to hide or be shy or try to act like I am doing fine.
UGH. Any input?
Posted by DaisyM on April 27, 2004, at 10:33:02
In reply to Anyone have phone sessions?, posted by Kind Girl on April 27, 2004, at 9:20:01
My experience with phone sessions is that you need lots of privacy and a safe place to be. Sit on a couch or chair and hold onto pillows. Close your eyes and imagine her office. It takes a little getting use to because you can't see their face. Don't read the silence as disapproval...usually they are just thinking about what you said. Play soft music in the background if it helps.
the hardest thing is crying on the phone because they can't see you and wait. and you can't see them. You have to reach out with your spirit and feel them.
I've done best with short phone sessions (20 min) unless there is a specific crisis or problem. The Sat. after I almost lost my husband we talked on the phone for a really long time. But he asked a lot of practical questions and asked me to tell him what happened, then asked more questions. I realized after I hung up that he was getting me to let it out, instead of stuffing all the details. :)
Posted by tabitha on April 27, 2004, at 11:00:19
In reply to Anyone have phone sessions?, posted by Kind Girl on April 27, 2004, at 9:20:01
I used to do a lot of phone sessions, like probably once a week. My therapist used to charge slightly less than her regular fee, then she started charging full fee since she doesn't really like doing phone sessions as much as office sessions. She says it's harder for her since she can't see the client. I used them strictly for times when I got upset between sessions and nothing could seem to soothe me as much as talking to her. Then I started doing double-length sessions during the week and my need for phone sessions dropped off. The worst part was that sometimes she wouldn't call back at all, especially on weekends. She'd always call on Monday and apologize, but it didn't make it much better. If you've scheduled in advance then that's better.
Posted by shadows721 on April 27, 2004, at 22:58:40
In reply to Anyone have phone sessions?, posted by Kind Girl on April 27, 2004, at 9:20:01
Yes, I have had phone sessions. It is interesting. I would say things on the phone that I would never say in person. I guess it was like I was in cognito. I did find it different, but it was beneficial.
Phone sessions usually cost less. It depends on how long you keep them on the phone. I am guessing here.
"I struggle with paying her to love me as it is and I know that you can't pay someone to love you but that is what it feels like you know)"
I think of it like paying for unbiased professional support. Yes, I agree it does feel funny. But, I feel I deserve good help and so do you. :)
Posted by Poet on April 29, 2004, at 11:25:18
In reply to Re: Anyone have phone sessions?, posted by DaisyM on April 27, 2004, at 10:33:02
Hi Kindgirl,
I had an emotional meltdown yesterday and called my therapist. She called me back last night and we talked for over an hour. Usually on the phone we just talk for five minutes or so. This was like a real session.
Her silence bothered me, but I read Daisy's post and it makes sense that it meant she was listening. I know she was because her responses were perfect, she was following what I was saying.
I'd give phone sessions a chance.
Poet
Posted by B2chica on April 29, 2004, at 14:05:09
In reply to Re: Anyone have phone sessions?, posted by Poet on April 29, 2004, at 11:25:18
Question
It would seem to me that there would be Major HIPAA restrictions about phone therapy, i'm suprised they can even do this? Did they have you sign any papers or anything before you did the phone therapies??
B2c.
Posted by DaisyM on April 29, 2004, at 23:42:04
In reply to Re: phone sessions/Legal?, posted by B2chica on April 29, 2004, at 14:05:09
I have to deal with HIPPA restrictions all the time in the work I do. I can't see how a Therapist in their private office would violate any confidentiality laws. Do you have a specific concern about something? I'd be interested.
Posted by B2chica on April 30, 2004, at 14:05:09
In reply to Re: phone sessions/Legal?, posted by DaisyM on April 29, 2004, at 23:42:04
Hi DaisyM
Overall i'm just curious...i guess mostly since we've had many difficulties with trying to do some of our work. The fact that it's on a professional level not just "friends talking".I too deal with HIPPA and we've worked with several issues with the phone but i remember we had the most difficulty when we were working a little with trying to do teleconferencing (in the medical field-physician to patient) some included video and some was just audio and one of the major issues was NOT using a standard telephone line because of the way they are laid out (in terms of others being able to split into them), and because they transfer data at too slow of a speed, it needed to be at least (i think) 368Mb-no slower.
-though they did approve using conferencing via the computer if we dug a new line that was specifically for this use (no other inter/intranet connected) and it was at least 368.
Also, we wanted to do some research over the phone by calling patients and doing a survey over the phone and we got called down on that because they would be giving their identification and related "injuries"' or issues over an unsecure line.
-i guess that's why i was wondering, because you would be giving (i'm guessing) sometype of identification over the phone and personal data. Though maybe there is a difference in rules for the Mental Health field vs. other medical areas?
Thanks-just curious
B2c.
> I have to deal with HIPPA restrictions all the time in the work I do. I can't see how a Therapist in their private office would violate any confidentiality laws. Do you have a specific concern about something? I'd be interested.
Posted by DaisyM on May 2, 2004, at 15:36:03
In reply to Re: phone sessions/Legal? » DaisyM, posted by B2chica on April 30, 2004, at 14:05:09
It is my understanding that "land" lines are considered secure under "normal" circumstances, which is in the HIPPA regs. If you are using cell phones, which I do, it is "suggested" that you use little identifying data. We stick to first names, which I think most therapist do. And my voice mail is private with a password.
The intent of the regs is more directed to medical issues, so I can see the confusion.
M
Posted by Dinah on May 2, 2004, at 19:26:53
In reply to Re: phone sessions/Legal?, posted by DaisyM on May 2, 2004, at 15:36:03
Gosh I hadn't even thought of that. My therapist uses nothing *but* a cell phone. Hmmmm....
I mean a phone session doesn't seem any different from the between session calls that are pretty standard with many therapists. Just longer and more compensated.
But I know better than to talk on a cell phone about sensitive information. I wonder why I forget that when it's my therapist.
Posted by Escher Dementian on May 3, 2004, at 5:29:58
In reply to Re: phone sessions/Legal?, posted by DaisyM on May 2, 2004, at 15:36:03
> It is my understanding that "land" lines are considered secure under "normal" circumstances, which is in the HIPPA regs. If you are using cell phones, which I do, it is "suggested" that you use little identifying data. We stick to first names, which I think most therapist do. And my voice mail is private with a password.
>
> The intent of the regs is more directed to medical issues, so I can see the confusion.
> M
>
Thanks for the info and suggestions, M .
Phone sessions have 'saved my psychological life' on a few occasions and i am eternally grateful that they happened that way and were amenable to work that way. i hadn't even considered the possibilities that a cell phone might not be secure, but in my own case, ...i don't care. i was in bad shape and whoever might have been capitalizing on the non-security of my cell line, well, i just have to trust karma/Spirit to take care of that one. And continue to be grateful.But now more careful,
Escher
Posted by gardenergirl on May 3, 2004, at 10:47:12
In reply to Re: phone sessions/Legal?, posted by Escher Dementian on May 3, 2004, at 5:29:58
We have had the cell phone debate at school. Some prof's say absolutely never speak on a cell about a client. Others say if it is a digital connection then it is secure. My stupid phone does not always use a digital connection, so I try not to use any identifying information if I have to call a client on my cell.
gg
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