Online counselling
(during online learning)
What you need to know about online counselling
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we may return to online learning. If this happens, counselling can take place online. If you have online counselling, this will happen on Zoom video calls.
Online counselling is different from meeting face to face. Thus, students have a few responsibilities when using online counselling.
Student's checklist for how to use online counselling safely
1) Privacy:
Ideally, do the video call in a quiet, private room and be alone during the call.
Use headphones/earbuds, if possible. This gives you more privacy.
Avoid interruptions during the call. Ideally, tell family members (or others at home) that you have an important, school-related video call. Kindly say that you wish not to be interrupted.
2) Safety:
As a Year 7-9 student, we recommend that you ensure there is an adult in a room nearby.
Immediately inform a trusted adult (like a parent or helper) if I need help, feel unwell or unsafe during the video call.
Tell the counsellor if you are feeling uncomfortable or unwell. Please be open about this, since it’s crucial that you feel safe.
3) Technology:
Remove any digital distractions. Turn off all other applications on your laptop, and put your phone away on silent mode. Counselling requires you to pay attention and think. If you are distracted, you will get less out of the counselling session.
Keep your video on during the call. The counsellor will do the same. This way, the counsellor can better understand how you are feeling, and you can both communicate better. If you feel very uncomfortable about keeping your video on, please let your counsellor know beforehand or during the call.
Use a laptop, not a phone. It is important that you see the counsellor’s face clearly. A phone screen will be too small.
Under no circumstances will you or the counsellor record the video call. After all, counselling is confidential.
Feel free to share with the counsellor how you feel about counselling online. Does it feel awkward, strange, different? Let the counsellor know during the call, so you can explore it together.
Since it will be a video call, you’ll need decent WiFi connection. If you have a weak WiFi connection, the audio may be low quality. In this situation, the counsellor will offer a backup solution.
