The information 

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Online counselling therapy is a way for you to engage in counselling using internet technology such as webcam video, telephone, email or online chat.

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You direct your counselling by selecting which of these methods of communication you feel most comfortable with. Between you and your counsellor you agree the time, the place and the pace of your counselling to suit your needs.

 

Every effort is made to provide a safe and secure environment for your online therapy with encryption software to protect your confidentiality and secure. 

 

Different types of online counselling and how they work 

 

Webcam Counselling 

 

Zoom is a way for you to see your counsellor face-to-face from your computer whilst engaging in therapy. You will be guided through setting up your own encrypted Zoom account and you will meet your counsellor on Zoom at a time that you have previously arranged. Sessions are 50 minutes in length. 

 

Being able to see your counsellor gives you more of the benefits you get from face-to-face counselling but with the convenience of online therapy. By talking you hear tone of voice which is a way to convey empathy and with video you see nonverbal communications such as facial expressions. 

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Walk and Talk (Eco-Therapy)

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Walk and Talk is a way to be in an outside space and be along side one another whilst engaging in therapy. It can be whilst sitting on a bench, walking along the sea front or estuary or through a park. This can be good for those who  feel an enclosed space is too confronting or want to have the sense of a being walked along side rather then sat opposite. 

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Telephone Counselling

 

This is similar to webcam counselling as it happens through the Zoom system, or via a handset, but without the visual aspects. You can choose to remain anonymous and the conversation is encrypted if held on Zoom. An advantage of telephone counselling is that non-verbal communication can be carried in your tone of voice or the pace of speech which can be picked up by your counsellor. A disadvantage of telephone counselling is that you need a private room where you will not be overheard. 

 

Email Counselling

 

Counselling using email offers you the opportunity to consider what you wish to say before you send it as well as time between exchanges to reflect on the information you have received. You will be guided in how to set up a secure email account and will then have a set amount of email contacts with your counsellor. Email counselling is also sometimes used in between more structured sessions such as online chat, telephone or webcam counselling. A consideration of email counselling is the time delay between your mail and the return mail and this makes email counselling ineffective when urgency is a priority. 

 

Online Counselling Chat Room 

 

Should you choose the online chat room you will be directed to a secure login page that takes you to an encrypted area where you meet your counsellor at a time that was pre-arranged between you and you counsellor. 

 

Your session is 50 minutes and a transcript is available afterwards allowing you to review what both you and your counsellor said. This gives you the opportunity to clarify any uncertainties you may have from your session and also leaves you with something to go back to as you process the information. You do not need a webcam for this type of counselling and you may choose to remain anonymous should you wish. 

Online counselling offers certain benefits but there are also limitations that are worth bearing in mind when deciding which type of therapy will best suit your needs. 

 

Benefits 

 

• Counselling therapy from your own home or place and at an agreed time that suits  

• Secure encryption software offers confidentiality and peace of mind

• Access to counselling may be more immediate 

• Flexibility to choose the technology you feel is best for you: telephone, email, live chat or webcam 

• When using email or online chat, you are able to review what you are saying before sending

• Some find it easier to express their feelings by writing it down which can also form part of face-to-face and telephone therapy

• Some people prefer not to be seen entering the counsellors consultation room

 

Things to consider 

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• Are you comfortable using internet technology? 

• Would you prefer to see your counsellor face-to-face? 

• Do you feel you can express your feelings more effectively using spoken or written words? 

• Do you feel your situation is too personal and nuanced to discuss via the internet? 

• Would you have regular access to a personal computer terminal you can use privately without interruption? 

• Text communication can sometimes be open to misunderstanding and difficult feelings arise 

• In email and texting, there are no nonverbal cues or body language for you or the counsellor to read. This can lead to misunderstanding and unnecessary difficulties

 

Confidentiality 

 

Online counselling therapy takes place within a secure, encrypted environment to offer you confidentiality and safety. 

 

Telephone and webcam counselling take advantage of the encrypted services offered by 

Zoom and your counsellor will support you through setting up a free account for your therapy, should you need it.

 

Email correspondence is encouraged through a secure mail server and your counsellor may be able to support you in how to set up a confidential email account for your counselling therapy. 

 

Please be aware that there are limitations as to what the counsellor is able to control to enable a totally secure communication system. All platforms are open to interruption from unknown third parties, despite best efforts by all to make a session secure. A metaphor would be that of someone  knocking on the door or posting something through the letter box whilst in session - neither the counsellor or the client would be able to control this even though everything agreed between client and counsellor is in place. 

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