Online Services

In the postmodern world, couples and families are frequently separated by job-related travel and by careers that may leave loved ones on separate continent for months or years at a time. The 2020 pandemic COVID=19 has added many new kinds of relationship changes, many of them sudden and filled with anxiety.

People in these relationships have had a hard time getting services. Stepfamilies, grandparent-caregiver families, shift workers, and multiple-household families of many kinds, even when they are living in the same community, often cannot get together for office-based meetings.  The 2020 pandemic has made it unsafe for clients and professional alike to meet face-to-face in offices. 

I use distance technologies to work with people whose counseling needs are complicated by a wide range of couple and family situations, as well as individuals who are traveling, unable to get our of their houses, or have other reasons to prefer alternatives to a traditional office visit.

I utilize different online tools to address specific client needs. I can work with individuals, couples, families, and groups using telephone, secure video chat, secure text chat, and secure e-mail.

Option 1: Voice and/or video. I generally prefer to work with couples and families together, rather than have individual sessions. Individuals can be on separate computers or other devices, but I will usually want them to be online at the same time. I charge my regular hourly rate unless there are special arrangements.

Option 2: Text chat. When conditions don't support audio and video contact, I can also work with partners and family members in a live chat format (online at the same time). Some people prefer the written word--typing and reading can be a calmer, more reflective way of communicating. This kind of "live" conversation offers immediate response so that miscommunications can be addressed immediately. .

Option 3: Secure email or secure messaging. Especially when people are in different time zones or working different shifts, an asynchronous approach is especially helpful--individuals send messages to each other with copies to me, and just as I do in the office I am able to comment on what each person seems to be saying and try to help people communicate about thoughts, feelings, expectations, memories, frustrations, needs, hopes, dreams, and issues that call for problem-solving and planning. This format offers the opportunity to spend as long as an individual wants for preparing a message, editing and revising until it feels right. And it is possible to save and re-read the partner's messages. Many times meanings are not clear and time to reflect makes it possible to "hear" something that was missed on first reading.

To discuss your circumstances and needs and set up distance technology sessions, please use my secure contact form, https://forms.hush.com/drblume