Will Viritual Reality replace the Brick and Mortar of Counseling?

Michael Ventura's article, "Screenworld" (Psychotherapy Network, Jan/Feb 2009) talked about the differences and impact of cyberspace on the traditional brick and mortar style of counseling.

It is true that more and more people are using the internet for a variety of reasons. Some people find comfort in engaging in social networks such as facebook and myspace as a way of connecting with each other and meeting new people. Others enjoy participating in a variety of interactive computer games that can be discerning, particulary, for children and teens engaging in violent and competitive games with each other. The internet can also provide valuable educational opportunities for adults to take college classes online and to click on to other websites that can provide informal learning opportunities based upon an individual's interest area.

The question is "Will counseling lose its effectiveness for people wanting to meet their counselor in person? In an office setting, a client gets the three dimensional view of interacting with their counselor as opposed to the one dimensional view in cyberspace. While the former can provide a warm environment by its smells, its touch, its sight, its taste, and personal connection from a caring professional, how can counselors make the latter similar and inviting?

Maybe a little bit of both is the answer as the client and the counselor can benefit and compromise from each domain. However, one greatest challenge facing the profession is the lack of insurance reimbursements for seeing clients through cyberspace. How many clients are willing to privately pay to engage in treatment over the internet? I am glad though that the profession has developed ethics and guidelines for internet therapy.

What do you think? Can you imagine conducting therapy through facebook and myspace? What will become of the profession in the next few years and decade?

Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
http://www.therapistsforchange.blogspot.com/

Support GHEA coverage for Licensed Mental Health Counselors

To all mental health professionals, please write to the following individual regarding their company's policies to reimburse licensed mental health counselors for counseling services under the Federal Employee Health Employment Program. Below is a suggested letter to be sent. Please feel free to add your own ideas or facts to GEHA. Please note that ideas and some wording for this letter was taken from a template that the American Mental Health Counselors Association sent to their members in the monthly newsletter, The Advocate, February 2009 edition.

Government Employee Health Association, Inc.
PO Box 4665
Independence, MO 64051

Dear GEHA:

I am writing as a licensed mental health counselor in Massachusetts concerning the Government Employees Health Association (GEHA) refusal to reimburse the services of licensed mental health counselors under the Federal Employee Health Employment Program (FEHEP). I am requesting that GHEA modify its policies to include covering the services of mental health counselors in all your plans you currently offer. Below are three main points on why it important for GEHA to revise its policies:


1) Mental health counselors are professionals with at least a master's, advanced masters, or doctoral degree in counseling or a related discipline and are licensed in 49 states. Mental health counselors can independently diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders and practice in a variety of settings including community mental health centers, hospitals, managed behavioral health organizations, drug abuse treatment centers, employee assistance plans, and in private practice.

2) Clinical training for mental health counselors are comparable to training for other professions you currently reimburse, yet our rates are lower than our colleagues in the psychiatry, psychology, and social work professions. Mental health professionals provide cost-effective services and typically employ a short-term treatment perspective.

3) GHEA can obtain access to a network of quality mental health providers at affordable rates, helping to keep insurance rates down for the federal government and its employees.

I appreciate your consideration and look forward to a positive response.

Sincerely,

Robbin Miller, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Facilitator
www.therapistsforchange.blogspot.com