How much does it cost to join eCounseling.com?
Users searching for counseling help:
Membership is free!!!You simply pay whatever fees your eCounselor charges for each video conference, text chat, secure email, phone, or in-person session!
eCounselors:
The Basic Membership package is $22.98 per month. It is simply a listing in our website directory that does not include use of our online technology. Your listing is searchable by geography, counselor specialty, and preferred method of counseling!
The Plus Membership package is $29.98 per month, and includes the directory listing plus the use of our online technology - video conference, text chat, HIPPA-compliant secure email, scheduling, payment, etc.! This package is for those who are interested in both increasing their online visibility and inactually providing services online.
There is no obligation, and you can cancel at anytime before the next billing period and simply be charged a pro-rated amount for services rendered.
While we reserve the right to charge fees if our policies change in the future, there are no other fees currently charged by eCounseling.com, inlcuding per session. Therefore, for example, if you charge $90 for an email session, you receive the entire $90, less a small fee that is charged by the payment provider, PayPal.com. Usually, it is no more than $1-3 USD.
Yes!!! Counselors are available right now! Simply find one with the "Online Now" banner near their profile, and get started with them!
Simply click "Find a Counselor" and search by location, counselor specialties like anger or depression, or your preferred method of counseling (video, email, in-person, etc.)
All counselors listed on eCounseling.com have stated that they are fully licensed, are in good standing with their licensure boards, and have professional liability insurance. In addition, many counselors undergo the eCounseling.com “Verification” process. This means we double-check the counselor’s license and credentials. Look for the “Verified” logo when selecting a counselor (or be sure to check you counselor’s credentials). Lastly, eCounseling.com removes counselors who are found to not have proper credentials, who do not receive positive client feedback, and who do not maintain the high ethical standards of eCounseling.com.
eCounseling.com is committed to ensuring client confidentiality, and implements many securities to make sure your confidentiality is ensured. In most states it is necessary for a counselor to breach confidentiality if a client is considered an immediate threat to him/herself or others. Also, a counselor is mandated to report any disclosed information regarding the abuse of a minor, handicapped, or elderly person. In some instances client files can be subpoenaed by a court of law. Feel free to speak with your counselor in regards to your rights of confidentiality.
Though some persons who use our service are in crisis, many are not—and we do not consider ourselves a “crisis line”. Unlike a crisis line, eCounseling.com lists only professional counselors, and strives to help persons build an ongoing client-counselor relationship. If you are suicidal and are looking for immediate crisis help, please contact your local services by dialing 911.
This is NOT an appropriate service if you are seriously considering suicide. Help is available however! Call 1-800-SUICIDE for immediate assistance, or call 911 to contact your LOCAL authorities. Emergency professionals in your area are best equipped to provide affective treatment.
Will I have a counseling file?
It is an ethical standard that whenever someone visits a professional counselor, that counselor creates a counseling file. In this, the counselor includes important information such as the client’s history, social support, presenting problem, treatment goals and progress. This file is strictly confidential to the greatest extent of the law. For more information, feel free to talk personally with your counselor.
Services can be pre-purchased on our website. Major credit cards are accepted.
Who owns and manages eCounseling.com?
eCounseling.com is owned and operated by eCounseling.com Inc. Additional information may be requested by emailing support@ecounseling.com
Can I Provide Counseling Across State Lines?
This is what is known as a "Point-of-Service" issue. In our terms of service which both clients and counselors agree to upon eCounseling.com sign up, it states the following in section 5.8: 5.8 POINT-OF-SERVICE. For a client who resides outside their eCounselor’s state of residence and professional licensure, there is an important issue that should be understood by clients before counseling begins: By utilizing these counseling services, the client agrees that he or she is soliciting the services of a professional outside of his or her state of residence. By doing this, the client agrees that the “point-of-service” of counseling is to occur in the counselor’s state of residence and licensure, not the client's. In essence, the client is using the telephone or the Internet (the “information highway”) to virtually travel to the counselor (the counselor’s state of professional practice). Hence, counselors are accountable to and agree to abide by the ethical and legal guidelines prescribed by their state of licensure and residence. By agreeing to solicit the counselor’s services, the client agrees to these terms. If you do not understand, or have any questions regarding this issue, please feel free to ask the counselor about this issue, or contact eCounseling.com support at support@ecounseling.com DISCLAIMER: The above should not be construed as legal advice. If you have questions about legality or liability, please contact a qualified legal professional.