When we think of therapy, we often associate it
with in-person sessions and travelling to
the counsellor's office. Home-based psychotherapy allows the counsellor to travel and conduct a therapy session from the comfort of your home. Barriers are more profound when travelling to the counsellor's offices, such as the presence of financial strains related to travelling expenses, chronic medical concerns, and at-home responsibilities. However, many clients still appreciate the in-person bond between the client and the counsellor. The in-home session offers an alternative for clients unable to attend a session at the client's office but still value interpersonal connectedness.
Who is In-Home Psychotherapy For?
In-home psychotherapy is a practical alternative for supporting for those with chronic
illnesses, the geriatric population, people with disabilities, personal crises, severe depression and anxiety (Boland, 2018). Seniors may have limited ability to access online therapy services, have reduced mobility, and struggle to find transportation to the counsellor's office. Home therapy is convenient in bringing professional care to you. Familiar environments can reduce stress and anxiety, allowing seniors to feel more at ease and open to therapy sessions. Individuals experiencing severe depression and anxiety may not feel motivated or feel overwhelmed travelling to the therapist's office. Similarly, home therapy offers accommodation to people with disabilities by reducing barriers and stressors in navigating in-office sessions.
Ethical Considerations of In-Home Psychotherapy
Screening process what to expect.
Home psychotherapy mobile services offer counselling in an area of the home that is
comfortable for the client and at a time that works best for the client and the counsellor. A pre-screening of the home and environment is conducted to ensure the client's and counsellor's safety (Boland, 2018). An important aspect of counselling is establishing a good environment. A client's home can be unpredictable. Additional safety concerns include pets and a private place to discuss problems (Boland, 2018). Some counsellors may be allergic to animals, or the presence of other people in the household can prevent therapeutic discovery. As such, screening is necessary to mitigate any potential disruption to the therapeutic environment.
Confidentiality
With that being said, ethical considerations surround the client's confidentiality. A client's home is not a controlled environment compared to the counsellor's office. Confidentiality becomes more challenging to guarantee (Boland, 2018). A counsellor cannot be certain of additional elements of who is visiting or in the home at the time of the session.
Boundaries
Another consideration surrounds boundaries. Conducting a session within the client's
home may be susceptible to boundaries of space and time (Boland, 2018). Clients and
counsellors may feel more lenient in allotting time for the session. However, it is important to
stay diligent in starting and ending the session appropriately. The client also may feel the need to treat the counsellor as a house guest and offer food and drinks or feel compelled to clean their environment. That being said, the need to entertain and impress the counsellor may interfere with the therapeutic relationship.
Benefits Of In-Home Psychotherapy
The Environment
The client may feel more comfortable in their home environment and increase adherence to the therapy plan. The home can reduce feelings of anxiety and stress (Boland, 2018). The environment can be used as a tool to pull and develop coping techniques that work best in the client's home. The increased level of personalization offers a novel approach to exploring and implementing skills, such as a client with social anxiety engaging in small exposure tasks such as walking out the front door.
Transferability
Some individuals struggle to transfer skills learned in the therapy setting to at-home
practices (Cortes, 2004). In-home therapy creates accessibility to implement techniques and
skills such as mindful breathing as it is already practiced at home.
Convenience
Clients may find it easier for the counsellor to visit their home rather than find
transportation or participate in traffic or a long commute. Individuals with severe depression may find it challenging to get out of bed. The counsellor coming to you increases commitment to the therapeutic process and decreases the presence of cancellations as the clients are afforded more time by saving on travel and traffic. This also eliminates barriers for a senior population that may not have access to transportation because of scheduling conflicts.
Home-based psychotherapy has fewer obstacles present, increasing consistency in attending therapy appointments. Zormin Counselling & Psychotherapy services can connect you with a home psychotherapy mobile counselling service. Contact Us if you are interested in therapists offering in-home therapy.
Cortes, L. (2004). Home-based Family Therapy: A Misunderstanding of the Role and a New
Challenge for Therapists. International Association of Marriage and Family Counsellors. 12(2).
https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480703261980
Boland, K. M. (2019) Ethical Considerations for Providing In-Home Mental Health Services for
Homebound Individuals. Ethics & Behavior. 29(4), 287-304.
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