E-therapy Chat or Video Counseling Information

There are different ways to engage in live etherapy chat or video counseling: AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger (now Windows Live Messenger), Yahoo Messenger, Skype or our local chat area for chat counseling only.

AOL Instant Messenger: AOL Instant Messenger is another form of chat conferencing for chat counseling and e-therapy. You don't have to have AOL as your internet service provider and membership for the AOL instant Messenger is completely free. You can download the AOL Instant Messenger by clicking here. If you already belong to AOL and have it as your ISP, you will alredy have the AOL Instant Messenger. Refer to the help provided by AOL if you do not know how to use AOL IM or how to access it.

Windows Live Messenger (formerly MSN Messenger): If you feel more comfortable using MSN Messenger, you can follow the steps to obtain it at the MSN Messenger page. The latest version of MSN Messenger includes video and audio messaging online. There is no cost for downloading this program and to become a member. It is completely free.

Yahoo Messenger: This is another way for chat and video counseling, and it is also free. You can download it at the Yahoo Messenger Page and become a member, which is also completely free.

Since video counseling, chat counseling, and e-therapy in general are new mediums and each person's computer is different, some problems may occur. The video or chat counseling etherapy session will start when a quality connection is made that is satisfactory for both the e-therapist and the client.

Skype: Skype is one of the latest and easiest chat platforms to use online. Not only it is useful for online chat, but also for video and audio chat, also called internet calls. Calls from computer to computer are free with this platform. If you plan to use Skype for audiovisual conseling sessions, make sure you have your microphone and webcam connected before you start. You can download this chat platform at the Skype web site. Refer to their Help web page for more support.

The minimum requirements to use this mode of service effectively are:

1) WINDOWS 98 or higher

2) a microphone and earphones, or a headset (earphone and microphone included)

3) a digital video camera or webcam and video card (only for video counseling) and

4) AOL Instant Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, or Skype.

If you do not have video capacity, you may still use this service by audio alone, or by using the chat feature alone.

The therapist will give you their username via email so that you can connect with them and start the session. With MSN Messenger and Yahoo Messenger just click the Audio and the Webcam Icons at the chat window once the session is about to start.