Video & Phone Sessions

  • Video & Phone Sessions

    Posted by Tricia Toth on May 19, 2020 at 1:45 pm

    Hi! I am wondering which particular programs others are using for video sessions? Are any of them free? What is available to make calls on a cell phone confidential?

    Anna Vaisser replied 1 year, 7 months ago 11 Members · 16 Replies
  • 16 Replies
  • Phil

    Member
    June 5, 2020 at 9:31 pm

    I am using Doxey.me which meets all BCACC requirements and is free. I’m not totally satisfied as there has been some breaking up of the image, occasional garbling of speech and sometimes a frozen connection. I’m not sure how much this is because of the specific platform or whether sometimes client’s computers and wi fi are not the best. I have been wondering if Zoom is better if you use the fee based platform which is $20/month. Doxey.me fee based platform is $50/month which seems too expensive for me.

  • Kate

    Member
    June 9, 2020 at 11:19 am

    Is zoom meeting all the BCACC requirements

    • Phil

      Member
      June 9, 2020 at 9:47 pm

      Good question. If you go to Zoom they have a document dated September 2018 that says they have met appropriate Canadian standards for privacy and confidentiality (PIPEDA and PHIPA) and that they have end to end encryption. However there was a CTV story just in April 3, 2020 story that said an internet watchdog group, Citizen Lab, discovered serious safety concerns with Zoom so I guess I’ll wait before I try that one.

      I have heard that attaching your computer directly to the ethernet instead of by Wi Fi may enhance online platforms’, like Doxey.me, performance. I have just ordered an ethernet adapter and cables as my computer does not have an ethernet port.

      https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/think-twice-before-using-zoom-for-confidential-conversations-experts-warn-1.4881250

  • Tricia Toth

    Member
    June 10, 2020 at 7:41 am

    Good Morning! I had looked into using the Doxy.me (free) platform and was not it is not BC PIPA compliant as its server is in the US. I looked into Medeo as well, out of Vancouver. They are offering 6 months free, though then the rates go up afterwards, I think to around $50/mon. I have been using Zoom who had made three recent security updates (?, May 9th and May 30, 2020). The only issue I have had are meetings time out at 40 minutes and also last up to an hour. I’m not sure why this is inconsistent. When it times out it has allowed me to reconnect. Here is additional information regarding Zoom:

    https://blog.zoom.us/wordpress/2018/11/12/zoom-serves-canadian-healthcare-pipeda-phipa-compliance/

    Have a great day!

  • Fay Ferris

    Member
    August 8, 2020 at 3:02 pm

    I am using AdraCare which is a Canadian Company(Toronto) designed by techie people specifically for Tele-Health including Counselling. It is Compliant with all Canadian Privacy Laws (PIPA FOIPA PIPEDA) and servers are in Canada, it has very high end to end encryption (like a bank). While it’s not free (I think there is a free month to try it out), it is only $14/month for unlimited video counselling. (Premium $39) I have been using it for months and they continue to upgrade the product and I am very happy with it. You can also send secure messages! I did an enormous amount of research on this topic. You can also do confidential calls through the system. (Although I have never tried that). It is really easy to use too.

  • Paul McIsaac

    Member
    August 28, 2020 at 12:47 pm

    Hi, I am Paul McIsaac, with BCACC for 12 years. I do a lot of telephone work but keep a town office for locals.

    I am about to start as a video counsellor for my current EFAP client and will see how it goes. They are happy with Doxy or Zoom.

    I have also applied for a contract regarding Zoom Pro for groups. Interested in hearing back from someone who does online group counselling as my experience as a participant has had one discussion leader and a separate online director. Any of you run both functions by yourself?

  • Ayesha Azfar

    Member
    September 29, 2020 at 12:00 pm

    Hi everyone

    I would consider looking into Microsoft Teams. The quality is excellent, pricing is much lower and it is compliant with almost all privacy acts including Canadian ones. I have attached 2 links below. The first one is regarding data storage taking place in Canada and the 2nd one is for the pricing. Hope this helps

    https://www.softlanding.ca/blog/microsoft-teams-now-canadian-data-residency/

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/microsoft-365/microsoft-teams/compare-microsoft-teams-options

  • Heather

    Member
    October 26, 2020 at 2:40 pm

    Hi, I have been using doxy.me but having similar problems with poor connections. I’d also like to be able to screen share, which you can’t do on doxy. I understand that to get PIPA/PIPEDA compliance on Zoom you have to pay for the $200/month Healthcare version–has anyone heard otherwise?

    I am also interested in Owl Practice, which is completely Canadian based, however, I already use Simple Practice for client management software and would prefer not to switch my whole client records over.

    • Tricia Toth

      Member
      November 2, 2020 at 12:29 pm

      Hi! I use the free version of Zoom. As long as you have less than 3 connections in the group (and I am always connected to just one), there are no restrictions. I am also able to book a full hour. I hope that this helps.

    • Phil

      Member
      December 16, 2020 at 11:00 am

      Hi Heather,

      I upgraded to professional Zoom and am very satisfied with the performance. It is not $200 a month. That charge, which is a bit more than $200, is for the year making it about $16.95 CAD.

      Phil

  • Monica De Roo

    Member
    November 8, 2021 at 10:44 am

    Thanks everyone for this information. I am currently looking for software/platform. If anyone has any further up to date information on any of these or others please let me know!

    Thanks

    • Phil

      Member
      November 8, 2021 at 11:03 am

      I’m not sure if your asking about creating a webpage. If so, I found wix.com a relatively easy way to set this up. They have templates and you can add photos, blogs, etc.

      Phil

      • Monica De Roo

        Member
        November 8, 2021 at 11:13 am

        Hi Phil

        My apologies on the lack of clarity. I am curious about any new information regarding video calling platforms. I am reviewing what has already been discussed but was curious if anyone has found anything new. So far, I am liking Microsoft Teams for remote counselling.

  • Jannie Ngo

    Member
    July 18, 2022 at 4:26 am

    Hi everyone, would anyone have the link the BCACC’s ethics for virtual counselling? I previoulsy used Doxy.me but also had connection issues. I’d like to use Google Hangouts as I find I have the best connection there, but I want to make sure it is up to the BCACC’s standards. Thank you!

  • Elysia

    Member
    May 5, 2023 at 9:17 am

    Hi Im Elysia Bronson, I do a lot of work on Trauma and Chronic Health and Im all online. I just made the switch from Janeapp to Theraplatform and Im so glad I did. It offers a wider range of tools from games to use with younger clients to pdfs that clients and I can work on together in session. They are also HIPPA compliant and I really enjoy this versatility.

  • Anna Vaisser

    Member
    July 6, 2023 at 8:02 pm

    Hi all,

    If you have an ad with Psychology Today, they offer their tele-platform called Sessions. They state it is compliant with the privacy laws. One of the Canadian insurance companies deemed it as an acceptable platform when I applied to them. The platform seems all right except there is no option to change or blur your background. Otherwise, it works as intended with a waiting room to admit a client.

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