Online Counselling

About General Online Counselling

Online counselling provides an alternative to traditional face-to-face counselling at a time when traditional methods are inaccessible, inconvenient, or not preferred. Online counseling may be a useful alternative for people, unable to make it to a counsellors office, live in a remote area, have a disability, limited time constraints, or would like to get an idea of how counseling works before seeing a counsellor face to face.

Online counselling is another method of communicating with a counsellor by email, through your computer. You can choose how many email exchanges you want, some people exchange a few emails and others may prefer an

ongoing email relationship. E-mail exchanges or interactive journaling as it is sometimes referred, can provide an ongoing dialogue between you and your counsellor providing support and over time offers you an opportunity to share your concerns, ask questions, and possibly gain further insights and understanding into the issues that you are experiencing. Also, the act of writing may help you to organize thoughts and clarify feelings.

Advantages and limitations

Online counselling has both advantages and limitations. Distance may prevent people from being able to access a counsellor in person. Busy and hectic lifestyles may make it difficult to schedule and keep appointments, or perhaps you would like to see how counselling works before seeing a counselor in person.

A limitation of online counseling is the absence of a face-to-face relationship, where cues such as body language and facial expressions can be seen and tone of voice heard. Online counselling is a rather new method of providing counselling and if you are uncertain, I encourage you to attend face-to-face counselling.

Online counselling is not psychotherapy. It is important to note that online counselling cannot replace face to face counselling nor is it intended to do so. Online counselling is not a substitute for traditional face-to-face counselling, but rather provides a general supportive approach. The Internet is an exciting medium, and has its place within modern society but it has its limitations.

Also, there are issues that are not suitable for online counselling and issues that cannot be resolved without an ongoing working therapeutic relationship. Online counselling does not offer quick fixes and is not suitable for everyone. However, if you are comfortable with communicating via the internet and e-mail, then online counseling may be a good place to begin exploring your issues.