Ah, technology.\u00a0 Wonderful when it works the way you expect!\u00a0 However, when you are engaged in online counselling at some point you will have one (or more) of these experiences.<\/p>\n
Something you have spent hours on \u2018disappears\u2019.\u00a0 Passwords get forgotten.\u00a0 Video doesn\u2019t work.\u00a0 Audio is not audible.\u00a0 Save buttons don\u2019t save. Servers go down.\u00a0 Internet connections fail.\u00a0 Computers crash. \u00a0Backups don\u2019t backup. \u00a0Power goes out.<\/p>\n
These three words go a long way to making it easier to deal with \u2013\u00a0 Plan, prepare and inform!<\/p>\n
Give serious thought to how you will handle technological problems.\u00a0 Make a plan for every possible type of issue.\u00a0 If you have trouble coming up with a list ask anyone you know with a techy mind to help you generate ideas. \u00a0Believe me they will have ideas!<\/p>\n
Ensure you have client contact information in a secure location\u2013 phone numbers, email addresses and whether or not you can leave a message. Every time you start working with a new client be sure to print out their contact information.\u00a0 Printing it out means it\u2019s accessible to you in the event your computer is the one that crashes.<\/p>\n
Ensure clients have a way to contact you.\u00a0\u00a0 Do they have your work phone number?\u00a0 I always include mine in my initial welcome\/housekeeping message.<\/p>\n
Let clients know ahead of time what will happen if there is an interruption in service.\u00a0 Clearly outline who will do what within what time frame. \u00a0If need be, bring it to their attention more than once.<\/p>\n
For example, in their guidelines for communicating during a computer system failure, Nottingham Trent University states, \u201cIf your<\/strong> computer system fails and you cannot send or receive emails you will need to contact us immediately by telephoning (number).\u00a0 When we receive a phone message from you, we will suspend the online counselling process until you inform us that your computer system is working again. Once we receive the information that your system is working we will reschedule another online appointment with you.<\/p>\n