About Online & Telephone Counselling

 

Is It Right for You?

If you're considering online or telephone counselling, you might be wondering if it's right for you. Here are some points to help you decide.

Counsellor conducting an online counselling session, viewing and interacting with a client on a video call, with an open book on the desk.

Some of the benefits.

Research shows that online and telephone counselling can be just as effective being in person at a session. You can access counselling from the comfort of your own home or anywhere private, without the need to travel or sit in waiting rooms. This can be especially beneficial if you live in a remote area or have mobility issues that make it difficult to attend in-person sessions .

Woman with curly hair and glasses sitting on an orange rug, leaning against a sofa and using a laptop during a virtual therapy session in a bright living room.

Some people find it easier to talk about personal matters when they don't have to physically go to a counselling office. You can choose a quiet, private space that works for you, and we'll treat our online sessions just like in-person appointments.

Thoughts on setting up your quiet space

  • Privacy: Book your appointment at a time when you can ensure privacy. Consider using headphones or earphones for better sound quality and an extra layer of privacy.
  • Minimize Distractions: Put a 'Do not disturb' sign on your door to avoid interruptions. Use a private computer or tablet, not a work or public one.

 

Things to Consider.

Things to consider

While technology can be great, it doesn't always work perfectly. This can be frustrating and disrupt a session. Before we start working together, I'll send you all the information you need to get online, and we will agree how we will work around any technical issues that might come up before they happen.

Aerial view of a man with clasped hands resting on a white desk, beside an open laptop, suggesting a moment of pause before or during an online counselling or therapy session.

The online experience is different to face to face. Generally, we just see the top half of the other person through the web cam view, so we don’t get to pick up on each others body language or other silent cues. This means that we might have to explain ourselves a bit more.  

 

Online counselling might not be the best fit for everyone’s needs.

Some experiences such as phobias, addictions or crisis situations are more suited to in-person support or more structured care.

 

How this information page was created: I used AI to help draft this page, then took the time to review and edit it myself before posting it here.