Introducing Online Counselling

From idea to live online counselling – in a matter of weeks.

Introducing online counselling sounds complex. With the right planning and the right partner, it isn't. This guide shows how counselling organisations introduce online counselling step by step – and the role Connecta plays.

Onlineberatung einführen – Schritt für Schritt

Trusted by our clients

AWO
Caritas
Charite Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Diakonie
Der Paritätische Gesamtverband
Step 1: Needs Analysis & Concept

What does your organisation really need?

Before the technology comes the concept. A good needs analysis saves time and money later:

  • Which target groups should be reached? (e.g. addiction, debt, migration, youth)

  • Which counselling formats are suitable? (chat, video, audio, asynchronous)

  • How many counsellors and locations will be involved?

  • What data protection requirements apply (Art. 9 GDPR)?

  • Are there funding sources or grant programmes?

  • What do staff say – where are there reservations?

Onlineberatung einführen – Schritt für Schritt
Step 2: Data Protection & Legal

GDPR-compliant from day one.

Online counselling in social services is subject to special data protection requirements. These points must be clarified before starting:

  • Data Processing Agreement (DPA) with the software provider

  • Document technical and organisational measures (TOMs)

  • Adapt privacy statement for clients

  • Involve the data protection officer

  • Professional confidentiality under § 203 StGB and digital communication

  • Connecta provides all required documents

Frau am Computer
Step 3: Technical Setup

Ready to go in just a few clicks.

Connecta was developed so that no IT department is needed:

  • Your own subdomain (YOURNAME.onlineberatung.net) set up in minutes

  • Branding: configure logo, colours, and texts yourself

  • Create counselling locations and topics

  • Create counsellor accounts and assign permissions

  • Manage data protection texts directly in the admin panel

  • No server setup, no technical knowledge required

Illustration Admin
Step 4: Training & Change Management

Bring staff along – from the beginning.

The biggest hurdle when introducing online counselling is often not the technology, but acceptance within the team:

  • Communicate online counselling as a supplement – not a replacement

  • Take reservations seriously and address them with evidence

  • Recommend DGOB-accredited training in online counselling

  • Live onboarding with the Connecta team included

  • Pilot phase with small group recommended

  • Connecta is intuitive – typical onboarding time under 1 hour

Beratungsgespräch

Starting quickly and safely with Connecta

  • Ready immediately

    No long implementation process: Connecta is set up within a few days and accessible to clients.

  • Data protection from the start

    DPA, TOMs, and all legal documents included. No tedious own research – Connecta is GDPR-compliant from day one.

  • Personal onboarding

    The Connecta team supports the start personally – technical setup, training, and first counselling cases together.

  • Free trial

    60 days free and non-binding: setup, training, and first operation without risk – no setup effort, no hidden costs.

Introducing online counselling is a change process – not an IT project.

Experience from over 100 counselling organisations shows: the biggest hurdles are not technical. They are organisational and cultural. How is online counselling anchored in the team? How are clients informed? How is professional quality maintained? Connecta supports this process – not just with software, but with years of experience working with Caritas, Diakonie, and Der Paritätische.

Start now – we'll guide you

Book a free demo and speak with our contact person about the introduction in your organisation.

Kontakt

Eva Riedl

Eva Riedl

Ansprechpartnerin

We'd be happy to advise you personally