Distance Counseling is counseling which takes place on the telephone, by e-mail, or through an on-line chat. Distance counseling can be an effective way for adults to get help with personal or interpersonal problems. It can be used as an independent treatment method, or to supplement in-person counseling. Distance counseling is only offered to clients who are residents of Maryland, Virginia, or the District of Columbia.
By using Distance Counseling you certify that:
1. You are a resident of Maryland, Virginia, or the District of Columbia.
2. You are not feeling suicidal or self/destructive, and that you are not a danger to others.
3. That you have not been diagnosed with Schizophrenia or Bi-polar Disorder.
4. That you are not currently receiving counseling or psychotherapy from another therapist.
5. That your judgment is not impaired due to using drugs, alcohol, or for any other reason.
6. That you are at least 18 years old.
7. That you are the authorized user of the credit card you are using to pay for services.
8. That you understand that the communication of private information over the internet involves risks that the information may be intercepted by unauthorized people.
9. That you understand that others may view your e-mail or chat sessions on your own computer, and that you need to protect the security of that information.
Charges for Telephone Counseling
The charge for telephone counseling is $110 per 50 minute session. Sessions must be paid for prior to the session, using the credit card payment link available on the Payment Information page of this website.
Charges for On-Line Chats
The charge for on-line chats is $110 for each 50 minute chat. Sessions must be paid for prior to the session, using the credit card payment link available on the Payment Information page of this website.
E-mail Counseling
E-mail counseling is provided in 30 minute read/respond periods. If your e-mail would take more than 30 minutes to read and respond to I will either (1) respond to as much of your e-mail as possible within the 30 minute block, or (2) ask your permission to take longer than 30 minutes to read and respond.
The charge for each 30 minute read/respond block is $55. If your e-mail takes longer than 30 minutes to read and respond to, and if you have given permission to go beyond that time limit, the additional time taken will be charged at the rate of $1.50 per minute.
If you prepay for a package of 4 or more e-mail sessions the charge per session is reduced to $45. Prepaid packages must be used within 6 months of the date they are paid for. You will not be reimbursed for unused prepaid sessions.
Sessions must be paid for prior to the session, using the credit card payment link available on the Payment Information page of this website.
To begin Distance Counseling:
1. Download the Forms for New Clients from the Forms page of this website.
2. Complete (1) the Demographic Information form, (2) the Consent to treatment form and (3) the Proof of Receipt of Notice of Privacy Practice form . Fax the completed forms to 301-570-4587. If you do not have access to a fax you may skip this step, but you will not be contacted until your forms are received in the mail (see Step 3 below).
3. Mail the originals of the faxed forms within one week to:
Bernard M. Raiche, Ed.D.
2915-B Olney-Sandy Spring Road
Olney, Maryland 20832-3205
4. After your forms are received you will be contacted (usually within 12 hours) by e-mail to confirm your participation, and to schedule your first session.