On my iPad’s Flipboard application, I came across a short article on the “Twitter Doctors” board, shared by Russell A. Faust on thenextweb.com about nine-year-old Samuel Sevian, the youngest National Chess Master in U.S. history. The son of laser developing physicist Armen Sevian, Samuel has become something of a chess rawk star, where in his father’s home country, Samuel would be celebrity. What does does Samuel have to do with a post about using Skype for coaching? And how can you use Skype for the goals you want to reach in the coming year?
What is Skype?
Skype is a software application that allows anyone with a computer or smartphone to make voice calls over the Internet. Users have a choice of free calls (conducted over a wired or wireless Internet connection), which are usually limited to one hour, and these can be audio only or video calls. Most smartphones have a Skype application that can be downloaded from an application store for free. A professional account can be purchased if you wish to ensure better service and unlimited talk time.
Skype has become popular for its free Internet phone calls as well as file sharing and video conferencing. While corporate structures must be careful when using Skype because of the legal ramifications involved, Skype in the field of telemedicine has exciting potential for helping professionals and clients alike, diminishing the challenges of location, distance, money, and time in providing specialized care to those who seek them.
How does Seattle Direct Counseling use Skype for coaching and counseling?
Here’s my easy five-step approach to using Skype:
1. Clients sign an informed consent form, educating them on the use of web applications and confidentiality. You can see a copy of it on my website under Forms.
2. Clients download the web application to their computer or smart phone and set up an account.
a. Use of Skype requires the following: the web application on a smart phone or computer, a web camera with good quality video output, and either a built-in microphone or headphones.
3. I release my Skype address to the client, and ask them to “show up” to their appointment five minutes before the session begins, to make sure we have a connection.
4. We discuss viable options if for some reason our connection is broken, or the voice quality is poor.
5. All chat conversation is removed after the session is finished. Your Skype address remains in my log for future reference.
Samuel sounds like he has a bright future ahead of him. Did you know he has a coach too? The young chess master practices playing chess with his coach, international master Andranik Matikozyan. And guess what? They practice chess using Skype.
What do you want to be coached in? How to date? Starting a small business? Learning how to use Social Media? Taking off weight sensibly by creating a health lifestyle? Switching tracks for a mid-career change? It’s all up to you. Coaching can help you create goals, stay on track, and see your wishes fulfilled. Whether you use, Skype, Facetime, TinyTok, Google Voice, or any other web application, coaching via the Internet and phone is the way to go.
Editor’s note: if you are a counselor or coach, check out this short post about what you should know about using Skype for coaching. Coach Darren Cockburn in the UK uses Skype for 90% of his coaching, and his article has good advice for those who want to use Skype for their coaching practices.
