Online Counselling

Online counselling is a practical and convenient option, allowing you to meet with a therapist wherever you have a private place to talk and access to the Internet.

I am fully qualified to offer online counselling, holding an OCST4 Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling.

I use the Zoom video-calling app, which is reliable and easy to use. This is accessible via smartphone, tablet, laptop or PC, with no download required. I will email you a link to an online waiting room on the day of your session.

To help you decide whether online therapy is right for you, here are some things to consider:

Advantages of Online Counselling

Accessibility: Working online allows you to access counselling from the comfort of your own home or workplace. For those who find face-to-face contact intimidating, working online can feel easier for some people, allowing them to talk about subjects they may struggle with in person.

Time: Without the need to travel to and from your session, it can be easier to fit counselling into your day.

Continuity: For clients who move house, go on holiday or travel often with work, online counselling offers the opportunity to maintain regular sessions with a familiar counsellor, even from the other side of the world.

Disadvantages of Online Counselling

Connection: Although a good video link can make it feel like you’re in the same room as your counsellor, working online might not allow quite the same level of connection and awareness of subtle body language between yourself and your counsellor as working in person would.

Technical difficulties: Even with the best Internet connection, there may be times when technical trouble may disrupt a session. If this were to happen in our sessions

Privacy: In face-to-face work the counselling takes place in a dedicated room where you are unlikely to be interrupted. When counselling from home there is a greater chance of other members of your household overhearing your session. It is important to try and minimise this potential, and make sure that other people know not to interrupt or listen in on your session.

Distractions. It may be harder to focus on your counselling work if you are surrounded by other distractions at home or work. Face-to-face in a dedicated room this is much less likely to be a problem.

Technology/Internet Access

You will need broadband or 4G Internet access to help ensure a stable connection throughout your session. If we do encounter serious technical difficulties, I will usually phone you and continue the session via telephone if possible.

If you are not comfortable using this kind of technology, please let me know and I’ll do my best to talk you through it.

Privacy

Although communications via Zoom are secure, please consider the privacy of the space you are using. Is there a chance of being overheard by other people nearby? Are you likely to be disturbed or interrupted during the session?

Some of my clients without a private space at home have made use of their smartphones to contact me from their cars, or private outdoor spaces, which can work really well.

Distractions

While counselling from the comfort of your home has its advantages, one downside is that home can be a source of distractions that can affect your counselling session. Please ensure that all other technology, such as televisions or messaging software are switched off before the start of the session.

Ideally, allow yourself time before the session to switch off from work or home ‘mode’ and also time afterwards to reflect on what might have come up for you during the session rather than rushing straight back into whatever task you might be facing next.

What next?

If you would like to try online counselling, then please get in Contact and I’ll see if I have any suitable time slots available.

If you have any questions about counselling in general then also please do get in contact.