How Online Counselling works:

Online Counselling is becoming an increasingly popular form of therapy. It can be as effective as face-to-face counselling with huge therapeutic benefits gained. It may be carried out through E-mail, Instant Messaging (Chat) or Webcam.

As with face-to-face counselling, clients may wish to have a number of sessions, or they may have just one to try it out and give it a go.

Again, as with face-to-face counselling, online counselling may provide someone with the support they need at certain times in their life – perhaps when they are going through a difficult time and need to talk to someone, or perhaps they would like to explore and work through a difficult decision that has come up for them.

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There may be certain reasons why you might choose online counselling over meeting with a counsellor face to face:

  • It could be more practically and financially feasible for you – you don’t have to travel long distances to see a therapist and it can fit around you and your time – this may especially suit people living in remote areas.
  • You can access it from the comfort of your home.
  • It may feel less scary to ‘meet’ someone online rather than face to face and it can sometimes feel easier to talk about difficult issues this way due to the sense of anonymity it can provide.
  • Online counselling can work well as a stepping stone for someone trying to transition to face to face counselling – such as those with social anxiety.
  • Some people feel really comfortable with and prefer to express themselves through writing.

Although huge benefits may be gained from Online Counselling it may not suit everyone such as:

  • If you do not feel comfortable with the technical aspects of working online or if you do not have a good internet connection (especially for Webcam).
  • If you have a visual or hearing impairment.
  • If you are unable to access a private space to carry it out – at home or elsewhere.
  • At times it may be more difficult to interpret what is being said as there are fewer verbal and non-verbal cues (with Email and Instant Messaging especially).
  • If you have severe mental health issues, or are actively suicidal – in this case face to face counselling would be more suitable for you.

I provide online counselling for adults and young people aged 18 and over. For more details on how online counselling works – including details on confidentiality please see my Online Counselling Agreement.