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Live Phone Counseling:
Start Feeling Better Right
Away
Choose from These Therapists Available Online Now:
The Family & Marriage Counseling Directory
is privileged to now provide access to a network of
therapists where anyone can get live, professional phone
counseling around the clock, from licensed therapists.
Never before has professional counseling been so
accessible to the public. Use the listings above to see which
counselors are currently available and choose the one that feels right
for you. If a counselor is unavailable, in most cases you can
schedule a session with them through the system.
Appropriateness of Phone Counseling
The
National Board of Certified Counselors identifies standards
of practice for online and phone counseling. These standards are very good
guidelines, but they may not be observed by members of all
counseling professions. Phone counseling can be done by individuals
who are state licensed by different licensing bodies. Not all
licensing bodies follow NBCC guidelines for phone counseling. This
does not mean that other licensing bodies are better or worse; it's
just good for people to be aware that they are different. http://www.nbcc.org/webethics2
From the
American Counseling
Association:
Professional counselors develop an appropriate in-take procedure for
potential clients to determine whether online / phone counseling is
appropriate for the needs of the client. Professional counselors
warn potential clients that online counseling services may not be
appropriate in certain situations and, to the extent possible,
informs the client of specific limitations, potential risks, and/or
potential benefits relevant to the client’s anticipated use of
online or phone counseling services. Professional counselors ensure that
clients are intellectually, emotionally, and physically capable of
using the online counseling services, and of understanding the
potential risks and/or limitations of such services.
http://www.counseling.org
Also read these guidelines and opinions
of the American Psychological Association:
The
American Psychological Association
http://www.apa.org/ethics/stmnt01.html
Phone Counseling: Your Counselor's Background
Therapists who practice phone counseling
can be from many different educational backgrounds, all of which
require licensure within the state that they practice. It's
important that consumers know there's nothing wrong with asking if a counselor or therapist is licensed. In most
states in the US, one can check professional credentials through the
state's website. Many professionals in different fields require
licensing, so it's become popular for states websites to have
verification methods.
Here are some of the different types of phone
counselors that you may find:
- Social Workers (abbreviations usually
have "SW" in the end)
- Licensed Professional Counselors ("LPC")
- Counselors (usually master's level clinicians
will have "MA")
- Psychologists ("Ph.D" or "Psy.D.")
- Psychiatrists ("MD")
- Marriage and Family Therapists ("MFT")
Consumers should also be aware that some
individuals practicing counseling can be undergoing the
licensing process as an intern under supervision. Such individuals
can sometimes do so while in counseling programs getting their
education (usually in agencies), and also after they have received
their post-graduate degree. Usually those in private practice have
post-graduate degrees, but it's always good to ask. A counseling
intern should make the client aware of their licensure status.
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