What is e-counselling? 

E-counselling is counselling over the internet using e-mail or services such as MSN Messenger or Skype. There may be a variety of reasons why people turn to e-counselling.

• People prefer the sense of ‘anonymity’ as they find face to face encounters difficult (although I will always require your real name at the start of counselling). Quite often they will find it easier to be more open and frank in discussions about the issues affecting them.
• Accessibility: people who are physically limited by disability or poor health, may live in remote locations and have difficulty traveling and don’t live near a practice. Those who may attend face to face counselling but have to work away.
• Time and convenience: greater flexibility for example you can write your email when it is suits you (within an agreed time frame). You don’t need to take time off work or travel anywhere. You can receive real-time online counselling in your home surroundings which also gives you that little more flexibility in arranging appointments.
• Cost-effective: Generally e-counselling costs less than face to face counselling, other costs can also be eliminated such as cost of traveling, child care etc.
• Have a busy life, difficult or irregular schedules or carer responsibilities which make attendance difficult.

How e-counselling can help

E-mail, writing on MSN Messenger or similar, can give you a therapeutic release as you begin to write about the issues you face. Writing allows the expression of thoughts and feelings, seeing those feelings expressed make them more tangible and concrete. Thinking and writing allows for the exploration of the difficulties you are experiencing and as you reflect back over what you have written it gives you a sense of clarity, allowing potential solutions to come to the forefront.

What to expect from your e-counsellor

The counsellor should respond and give a considered response to your messages which will include feedback through questions and comments designed to help you explore the issues more fully. Through these questions and comments they will help you to express yourself, look at factors causing the difficulties you’re experiencing, aid you in self-reflection and to become more self aware, build on your strengths and find potential solutions.

E-counselling benefits in the way that you can keep a permanent account of your written interactions and responses, which allows time for more reflection. Sometimes during face to face counselling you forget what may have been said due to the intensity of emotions experienced at the time. Written word can help overcome many obstacles and especially in the case of e-mail, you can give yourself the time you need to express your feelings, no rush or pressure. You will feel listened to, supported and will help you to reflect on future possibilities.

Give yourself time to read about e-counselling and evaluate the possibilities. Remember, spelling and grammar are not critical; counsellors are not here to judge your written skills. What you decide depends on what’s comfortable for you.

You may be encouraged to begin writing about the issues you are dealing with like a story, slowly being unveiled, add bits to it each time you write. Or perhaps like a letter to a long lost friend, telling them about how your life is going. Don’t expect it to be word perfect, just as honest and as true as you can make it. Remember also to describe your inner feelings, as your counsellor won’t be able to see you and cannot gauge your reaction as easily as in face to face counselling.

If and when you decide that e-counselling is a real possibility for you, your counsellor will, during the initial assessment, explain to you in more detail the kind of information they may need from you.

Some may wonder if online counselling is appropriate for couples and families. Face to face counselling is the preferred option especially in the case of families, with the exception of general e-mail inquiries. However, your partner could be included by making separate a appointment.

E-counselling is an alternative method and not meant as a replacement for traditional face to face therapy. However, it may prove a very helpful process for you, especially if face to face counselling isn’t an option.

See contacts page for enquires.

Are there any circumstances when e-counselling might not be suitable to my needs?