Is Online Counselling Suitable for You?
Online counselling may not be suitable if you:
-
Are a vulnerable adult or have a history of severe mental illness
-
Are in crisis or feeling suicidal
If you're experiencing a crisis or contemplating suicide, please contact your doctor or visit your nearest A&E immediately. Alternatively, you can reach the Samaritans at 116 123 or your local crisis service, which can be found online. If you begin online counselling and later experience a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts, sessions will be suspended while we discuss appropriate support options. This may involve referring you to local services such as your doctor, hospital, or crisis team, or arranging in-person sessions if possible. -
Are experiencing psychosis or losing touch with reality.
​
Counselling can sometimes bring up distressing emotions. If I become concerned about your level of distress or feel that you or someone else is at risk of significant harm, I may need to contact your next of kin or GP to ensure you receive the additional support that I cannot provide.
Online Counselling
Online counselling offers accessibility to clients who may not be able to attend in-person sessions. It gained significant popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic and and remains a convenient option.
​
The convenience of online counselling allows you to connect with me from most places in the world (some restrictions apply), as long as you're in a safe and confidential setting. This flexibility means you can choose the counsellor who best suits your needs, rather than being limited to those within travelling distance.
With a specialization in working with individuals dealing with chronic health issues and chronic pain, I have clients from so many different locations who seek my support. Whether you travel frequently, face challenges leaving the house, have caregiving responsibilities, or other circumstances, online counselling may be the right solution for you.
What's Online Counselling Like?
Online counselling offers a different experience compared to in-person sessions, with its own set of advantages and challenges. We can explore these differences together, and we will regularly review our sessions to ensure that online counselling is effectively supporting you.
For online sessions, I use the same private space as I would for in-person meetings, ensuring your confidentiality.
​
To make the most of your online counselling experience, it is important that:
-
You choose a quiet, uninterrupted location for your sessions, free from distractions such as people, pets, phones, or notifications.
-
If a suitable private space at home is not available, consider finding a quiet, secure location where you can talk without interruptions.
-
You use your own private device rather than a public one (like at an internet café or library) to ensure your privacy. If you share a computer, consider password-protecting your device, clearing your search and conversation history after each session, or limiting access to your computer during counselling.
Getting Started With Online Counselling
If you’re new to using computers or the internet, online counselling may not be the best option for you. It’s important that technology doesn’t hinder your counselling experience, so a basic understanding of internet use and the ability to download necessary software is essential. Additionally, a reliable broadband connection is crucial for a smooth online experience.
​
I use Zoom for online sessions, which is a free and user-friendly video application that works well on laptops, desktops, phones, and tablets.