Online therapy
I offer three main forms of online therapy:
Live session via webcam
Using a webcam to see and hear each other in real time, this is the method which can feel most directly like having a therapy session in person.
Live text-based sessions
Using a live text programme, the therapist and client communicate by writing in real time, holding a live, written conversation
Email therapy
By an agreed time each week, the client sends an email to their therapist about whatever they would like to explore; the therapist then replies within a few days with a careful response to what the client has said. This can be helpful for clients who cannot meet at the same time each week, or prefer the slow, reflective pace writing can offer.
Live session via webcam
Using a webcam to see and hear each other in real time, this is the method which can feel most directly like having a therapy session in person.
Live text-based sessions
Using a live text programme, the therapist and client communicate by writing in real time, holding a live, written conversation
Email therapy
By an agreed time each week, the client sends an email to their therapist about whatever they would like to explore; the therapist then replies within a few days with a careful response to what the client has said. This can be helpful for clients who cannot meet at the same time each week, or prefer the slow, reflective pace writing can offer.
Who is online counselling for?
Like any form of therapy, some approaches may suit some people more than others.
Here are some of the potential advantages and challenges which might help you determine if online counselling would work well for you:
Flexibility
You don’t need to leave home, or conversely you can attend sessions whilst travelling; all you need is your own computer or tablet, a secure and reliable internet connection and a private space for the session. (NB – please see the information below on International Limitations)
Choice
It can be difficult to find the right therapist for you, particularly if you live in an isolated location or one with few therapists working in different ways. Working online gives you access to a wide range of therapists and approaches.
Accessibility
Online therapy can work well for clients who find it hard to go to see a therapist face to face. This might be due to:
You may find it easier to open up and engage more freely in online therapy. It can also be liberating to speak to someone completely separate from your local community.
Here are some of the potential advantages and challenges which might help you determine if online counselling would work well for you:
Flexibility
You don’t need to leave home, or conversely you can attend sessions whilst travelling; all you need is your own computer or tablet, a secure and reliable internet connection and a private space for the session. (NB – please see the information below on International Limitations)
Choice
It can be difficult to find the right therapist for you, particularly if you live in an isolated location or one with few therapists working in different ways. Working online gives you access to a wide range of therapists and approaches.
Accessibility
Online therapy can work well for clients who find it hard to go to see a therapist face to face. This might be due to:
- Illness or long-standing health issues making travel and accessibility to counselling premises challenging
- Caring commitments to others curtailing time out of the home
- Living in a rural or isolated location, making a weekly journey to a therapist expensive and time consuming
You may find it easier to open up and engage more freely in online therapy. It can also be liberating to speak to someone completely separate from your local community.
Not suitable for everyone
Like any other form of counselling or psychotherapy, online therapy is not suitable for everyone. It may not be recommended for clients who are experiencing very serious mental health problems; those who are in crisis and actively suicidal or self-harming regularly.
It may also not be suitable for clients whose presenting issues suggest they may have difficulty sustaining a coherent sense of shared, social reality. This includes, but is not limited to, forms of psychosis and some psychiatric conditions. It may not be suitable for clients currently managing substance or alcohol dependencies
If you are in crisis, you can find more information and more support here
It may also not be suitable for clients whose presenting issues suggest they may have difficulty sustaining a coherent sense of shared, social reality. This includes, but is not limited to, forms of psychosis and some psychiatric conditions. It may not be suitable for clients currently managing substance or alcohol dependencies
If you are in crisis, you can find more information and more support here
Client responsibility
Online therapy returns a greater share of responsibility back to the client for their privacy and management of their sessions.
You will need to find a quiet, private space for your session, and to consider the security of your computer and personal information. Working on this through online therapy can also help create a disciplined self-awareness of your own space and privacy and a better understanding of how you behave online with others.
I am always happy to support clients in thinking about their online privacy and how they manage their sessions with me – please ask if you have any questions.
Resistance and Disinhibition
Psychological theorists exploring online behaviour have highlighted how being online can cause people to open up far more quickly – to become disinhibited. Alternatively, it can become easier online to evade or ‘disappear’ when difficult issues arise.
This can be a very useful part of the process if an experienced online therapist can identify this supportively to the client, and if the client is ready to reflect on the differences between their in-person and online personas.
You can find some useful further reading about online theories in the links section of the site here
International Limitations
Whilst the potential to work with clients and supervisees based in other countries around the world is an exciting advantage to online work, it is important that the therapist is mindful of the cultural impact this brings to the work, and of legal limitations some countries impose on therapy conducted across international borders.
This is a topic I have written on extensively and an area of particular interest to me. It should be noted that due to regulations imposed on international work by these countries, I cannot work with clients or supervisees based in the USA or Canada.
If you are based outside the UK or Ireland and are interested in working with me, please get in touch, providing further information.
Online therapy returns a greater share of responsibility back to the client for their privacy and management of their sessions.
You will need to find a quiet, private space for your session, and to consider the security of your computer and personal information. Working on this through online therapy can also help create a disciplined self-awareness of your own space and privacy and a better understanding of how you behave online with others.
I am always happy to support clients in thinking about their online privacy and how they manage their sessions with me – please ask if you have any questions.
Resistance and Disinhibition
Psychological theorists exploring online behaviour have highlighted how being online can cause people to open up far more quickly – to become disinhibited. Alternatively, it can become easier online to evade or ‘disappear’ when difficult issues arise.
This can be a very useful part of the process if an experienced online therapist can identify this supportively to the client, and if the client is ready to reflect on the differences between their in-person and online personas.
You can find some useful further reading about online theories in the links section of the site here
International Limitations
Whilst the potential to work with clients and supervisees based in other countries around the world is an exciting advantage to online work, it is important that the therapist is mindful of the cultural impact this brings to the work, and of legal limitations some countries impose on therapy conducted across international borders.
This is a topic I have written on extensively and an area of particular interest to me. It should be noted that due to regulations imposed on international work by these countries, I cannot work with clients or supervisees based in the USA or Canada.
If you are based outside the UK or Ireland and are interested in working with me, please get in touch, providing further information.
How do I start?
Online therapy is a specialism and should be undertaken by a therapist with credible experience and additional post qualifying training, allowing them to work safely and effectively with their clients. If you are thinking about having online counselling or psychotherapy, ask the therapist about their online training and experience and their approach to working online.
ACTO, the leading UK online counselling and therapy organisation, has a register of trained members. I can be found on their register here
I have been an online therapist and supervisor since 2012; managing, supervising and training dozens of therapists to work online both nationally and internationally. More information about my experience and training can be found here
Next Steps
If you feel that online therapy may be the right approach for you and you would like to find out more about working online with me, please contact me to arrange an initial appointment.
Here is a checklist of things you will need to engage in online therapy:
ACTO, the leading UK online counselling and therapy organisation, has a register of trained members. I can be found on their register here
I have been an online therapist and supervisor since 2012; managing, supervising and training dozens of therapists to work online both nationally and internationally. More information about my experience and training can be found here
Next Steps
If you feel that online therapy may be the right approach for you and you would like to find out more about working online with me, please contact me to arrange an initial appointment.
Here is a checklist of things you will need to engage in online therapy:
- Your own computer, tablet or smart phone - or at minimum, a device where you can create a password protected profile, accessed only by you
- High quality anti-virus and security software installed on your device such as: Norton, Malwarebytes or Avast
- A good internet connection. A minimum of around 5 mbps is needed; you can check with various 'speedtest' programmes which are free and easily accessible online
- A quiet, private space which you can use each week, where you will feel able to talk and/ or write freely and are not likely to be interrupted
- Some private time before and after your session to 'arrive' and to reflect on your session afterwards, as you would do if physically travelling to meet your therapist. It is important to give yourself a buffer zone to process what might be an emotionally challenging experience. I would recommend allowing at least 5- 10 minutes at each end of the session, though this will vary for each person and it can be good to discuss this with your therapist and to try different options
- I strongly recommend setting up a secure, encrypted email account. I recommend Protonmail but other options include: Neomailbox, safemail and Tutanota
If you would like to make an enquiry, please contact me via this email address
NB- I endeavour to respond to messages within two working days but cannot guarantee a response time.
Please visit the links page if you need urgent help
NB- I endeavour to respond to messages within two working days but cannot guarantee a response time.
Please visit the links page if you need urgent help