During many years of working with clients in a face to face setting, I have grown to understand that the decision to seek out support and begin therapy can often be a daunting one. You may have thought about counselling for some time, and instinctively feel that it can help you, but the idea of arriving at a therapist’s room, sitting down face to face with a counsellor, and beginning to talk about the things in your life which are often difficult, painful, or even unspeakable may have pulled you back from seeking support. I appreciate how having to be physically present in the room with a therapist can add an extra layer of difficulty in making this big first step, and may even discourage you from reaching out for the help you so desperately need.
Perhaps you feel that you can express yourself much better through a written medium, or you like the idea of taking your time and writing down your thoughts, where you can think about what you want to say without having to rush, or having any time constraints. Some people may find that writing rather than speaking about their problems may help them to focus on the issue that is troubling them without getting distracted.
There may be situations where clients are not able to leave their house because they have a disability and their mobility is greatly reduced. They may live in a remote area without access to adequate transport links to reach a counsellor. Or they lead very busy lives, and there simply is not enough time to travel to see a therapist, or they prefer the convenience of not having to.
Some clients may have small children and no one else to look after them, which makes leaving home difficult.
Finally, some clients may prefer the anonymity. There may still be a stigma attached to mental health issues, and online counselling can offer a high level of privacy, and sometimes even anonymity.
There may be many other reasons why you would prefer online counselling to meeting with a counsellor face to face, and whatever the reason I can offer you this alternative.
Online counselling requires a separate set of skills from the therapist, and I have received the additional formal training required in order to engage in the therapeutic process with clients in that way.
Whichever medium of online counselling you choose, it is important to remember to select safe and encrypted software, which I will advise you about once we agree to ‘meet’. This software is usually free and straightforward to install. I will give you more details when you decide to engage in online counselling with me.
Email counselling
if you prefer that method, we will agree on a date and time when emails will be sent and received. This will usually be once a week. You will write about your problems and concerns in an email, and I will respond with a considered therapeutic response within the agreed time. Many clients find writing about their thoughts and emotions very therapeutic. I will receive and respond to your concerns at a previously agreed time, without judgement or giving advice.
Instant Messenger counselling
Some clients may still prefer to write rather than speak about their problems, but combine it with receiving an instant, ‘real time’ response. This is very similar to online chat. When using this method, I will be able to respond to your concerns immediately, there and then. The time of the appointment will be arranged with you at a mutually convenient time, and will usually take place once a week for an hour.
Video chat counselling
You may like the idea of being able to see your counsellor, while still in the comfort of your own home, or not having to travel. The time and day of the sessions are arranged beforehand, and are usually one hour per week.When you first contact me, I will make an assessment to see if online counselling is suitable for you. There may be various factors to consider but, broadly speaking, online counselling would not be suitable for clients who have a history of enduring mental health difficulties, have been at risk of self-harm, or have suicidal ideation, or/and who struggle to function on a day to day basis, and require a high level of support. I am also unable to provide online counselling to anyone who is under the age of 18 or in crisis. In such instances I will refer you to an alternative source of support.
Please feel free to contact me either via the contact form on my website, or via email or text, or call me if you have any questions regarding counselling or online counselling, or if you are still trying to decide whether you would prefer face to face therapy or online sessions.
Perhaps you feel that you can express yourself much better through a written medium, or you like the idea of taking your time and writing down your thoughts, where you can think about what you want to say without having to rush, or having any time constraints. Some people may find that writing rather than speaking about their problems may help them to focus on the issue that is troubling them without getting distracted.
There may be situations where clients are not able to leave their house because they have a disability and their mobility is greatly reduced. They may live in a remote area without access to adequate transport links to reach a counsellor. Or they lead very busy lives, and there simply is not enough time to travel to see a therapist, or they prefer the convenience of not having to.
Some clients may have small children and no one else to look after them, which makes leaving home difficult.
Finally, some clients may prefer the anonymity. There may still be a stigma attached to mental health issues, and online counselling can offer a high level of privacy, and sometimes even anonymity.
There may be many other reasons why you would prefer online counselling to meeting with a counsellor face to face, and whatever the reason I can offer you this alternative.
Online counselling requires a separate set of skills from the therapist, and I have received the additional formal training required in order to engage in the therapeutic process with clients in that way.
Whichever medium of online counselling you choose, it is important to remember to select safe and encrypted software, which I will advise you about once we agree to ‘meet’. This software is usually free and straightforward to install. I will give you more details when you decide to engage in online counselling with me.
Email counselling
if you prefer that method, we will agree on a date and time when emails will be sent and received. This will usually be once a week. You will write about your problems and concerns in an email, and I will respond with a considered therapeutic response within the agreed time. Many clients find writing about their thoughts and emotions very therapeutic. I will receive and respond to your concerns at a previously agreed time, without judgement or giving advice.
Instant Messenger counselling
Some clients may still prefer to write rather than speak about their problems, but combine it with receiving an instant, ‘real time’ response. This is very similar to online chat. When using this method, I will be able to respond to your concerns immediately, there and then. The time of the appointment will be arranged with you at a mutually convenient time, and will usually take place once a week for an hour.
Video chat counselling
You may like the idea of being able to see your counsellor, while still in the comfort of your own home, or not having to travel. The time and day of the sessions are arranged beforehand, and are usually one hour per week.When you first contact me, I will make an assessment to see if online counselling is suitable for you. There may be various factors to consider but, broadly speaking, online counselling would not be suitable for clients who have a history of enduring mental health difficulties, have been at risk of self-harm, or have suicidal ideation, or/and who struggle to function on a day to day basis, and require a high level of support. I am also unable to provide online counselling to anyone who is under the age of 18 or in crisis. In such instances I will refer you to an alternative source of support.
Please feel free to contact me either via the contact form on my website, or via email or text, or call me if you have any questions regarding counselling or online counselling, or if you are still trying to decide whether you would prefer face to face therapy or online sessions.