Excellent support ideas from Alexandra Dent for EMDR Online

Our EMDR Consultant colleague Alexandra Dent has put together a particularly excellent draft client contract for using EMDR online, which we’re happy to re-post here, with amendments, both as a downloadable PDF (11BW Online Sessions Explainer for Clients – minus MB details) and inline as follows.

ONLINE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY SESSIONS – v. March 2020

I would like to provide you with some practical information to help you understand what to expect with online sessions and also provide some tips to make sure the process runs smoothly.

It might feel scary or uncertain to have some sessions online but they can be as effective as meeting face to face, so long as you follow the sensible tips below.  My goal is to create a safe and contained space to work with you.

If there are some material/documents that we need to use for the sessions (e.g. when I am going through psychoeducation and mindfulness), I will make sure that I have emailed this through to you before the session.

My preferred online service is Zoom, which is encrypted service and free for you to access and download. www.zoom.us. A video on how to use Zoom is here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-Meeting

Click [Zoom invitation link] at the appointed time to join the session, but please not before.

Please make sure that:

1. You have your computer or mobile set up with Zoom before the session commences.
2. Note that Zoom is not a social network, and there is no need to open a personal account. It is also free for this kind of one-to-one call.
3. Please make sure you have the correct microphone and video turned on. You can check both in settings at the bottom left of the Zoom screen.
4. Ideally you will be using a set of over-the-ear headphones with their own microphone (approx. £20 on Amazon, and the Logitech headset H340 is a good example).
5. Please download BSDR Player from the AppStore or Google Play onto your smartphone, and have a separate set of in-ear earbud headphones connected, which can fit under the main headphones.
6. Your computer or mobile needs to be positioned at a sensible height so that I can clearly see your face and that the camera is at eye level. If several people will be participating, please make sure that I can see everyone clearly.
7. It is very easy to hear background noises e.g. animals and washing machines and kettles etc. so please make sure you are in a quiet location. Headphones greatly help keep the sound manageable.
8. You will not be disturbed for the duration of the session and that the door to the room you are sitting in is closed.
9. You do not have your back to a window or light – this can make it very hard for me to see you clearly.
10. That there is adequate lighting in the room you are in.
11. You have a box of tissues nearby.
12. You have a glass of water nearby.
13. You have not been drinking alcohol or taking drugs before any sessions where they may still be in your body.
14. You do NOT record the sessions. I will not be recording any of our sessions UNLESS I have prior consent from you and this has been mutually discussed and agreed and a consent form has been signed by you.
15. You will NOT let anyone else listen in to any part of the online session (via phone or any other technical device or in person) without prior agreement.
16. You join the meeting at the agreed time.

As with face to face sessions, the confidentiality agreement we signed together still applies.  In addition, my terms and conditions that you signed at the beginning of working with me are still applicable.  I will normally require the usual seven working days’ notice if you wish to cancel or postpone an agreed session. You agree not to record sessions unless we have otherwise decided, together.

Engaging in online therapy will be understood as agreement to the above terms, will NOT record any part of the session or let anyone else listen in to the session (via phone or any other device or means) without prior agreement.