[ Browse by Service Category : Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services : Sub-Topics of Counselling Settings (23) ]
Family Counselling
Programs that offer therapeutic sessions that focus on the system of relationships and communication patterns among family members and which attempt to modify those relationships and patterns to achieve greater harmony. The therapist focuses on the family as a unit rather than concentrating on one of the members who is singled out as the person in need of treatment.
Talklines/Warmlines
Programs that offer a telephone service that enables people who are troubled to talk confidentially about their personal problems with an empathetic listener. These programs are often staffed by volunteers who can offer referrals for ongoing treatment, if needed.
Telemental Health
Programs that allow mental health professionals to use telecommunications technology including video conferencing, online chat or a phone call to provide psychotherapeutic services including crisis intervention, a mental health assessment and treatment for patients who are having difficulty coping with a traumatic experience, a health crisis or other problems, but are unable to participate in an in-person session or prefer an alternative. Use of telemental health services has a number of benefits such as making access to mental health services available to people who live in rural or remote areas where counselors may be scarce; eliminating a client's need for transportation and any travel-related costs; and making it easier for patients to make time for appointments without having to take time off from work.
The above terms and definitions are part of the Taxonomy of Human Services, used here by permission of INFO LINE of Los Angeles.