E-mail Counselling
What is it?
Email counselling is a counselling relationship that is conducted through the sending of email letters by the client and email responses by the counsellor. The client is free to discuss the issues that are important to them and the counsellor will then respond with their thoughts and questions in an attempt to reach mutual understanding of what is needed and how it can be achieved. The frequency of the emails and the timing of the response will be negotiated between client and counsellor, as will the amount of emails necessary.
Why Email counselling?
Email counselling is growing in popularity for a number of reasons:
- Email counselling is convenient. It allows the client to write about the issue they wish to bring to counselling at a time that is convenient for them and without the need for travelling to counselling premises. This also means that the client can discuss their thoughts and feelings as they occur, rather than waiting for several days until their next counselling or therapy session.
- For some people the idea of face to face therapy may feel uncomfortable for their own personal reasons. For these people email counselling can provide anonymity, which in turn can enable them to talk more freely and could potentially ease the development of trust. Some clients, depending on their needs, may use email counselling as a stepping stone towards face to face therapy, whereas others may find that email counselling is the most appropriate way of working for them.
- Through email counselling the client will have a record of the work. This provides the opportunity to revisit emails should issues that have been discussed subsequently arise, which could clarify thinking and also provide support.
When is it not appropriate?
For some clients with complex difficulties email counselling might not best suit their needs. If you have a history of mental health problems email counselling might not be appropriate for you. Also, if you are considering harming yourself or are suicidal it would be more appropriate to have regular face to face professional support (You can get immediate support from the Samaritans by telephoning 0845 7909090, Minicom number for Deaf people 0845 7909192). If you are in any doubt whether email counselling is appropriate for you please contact me. An honest outline of your difficulties will enable me to help you decide on the most appropriate means of support.
What does it cost?
For each email received and responded to I charge £25. I will spend at least 1 hour considering the contents of your email and my response.
What happens next?
Should you have any further queries about email counselling please contact me. Should you wish to go ahead and request email counselling please complete the request form. When I have received the form I will make an assessment of whether email counselling is appropriate for you and will contact you regarding this. Should we decide to go ahead you can then proceed by sending me your payment by clicking on the button below. Once I have received payment I will e-mail you authorisation to send me your e-mail. Once I have your e-mail I will respond within 48 hours (if for any reason I am unable to do so I will give prior notification).
