How It Works
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 emailed a zoom invitation and guided through this procedure. Zoom is a very client friendly to use system. You will meet your counsellor on Zoom at a time that you have previously pre-arranged. Sessions are 60 minutes in length. Being able to see your counsellor gives you more of the benefits you get from face-2-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.
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. 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, this makes email counselling ineffective when urgency is a priority.
Telephone
Counselling
This is like 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 you 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.
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 at a time that suits you.
Secure inscription software offers confidentiality and peace of mind.
No chance that you may be seen entering the counsellor’s practice.
When using email or online chat, you can review what you are saying before sending.
Therapy at a time, place and pace that suits you.
Some find it easier to express their feelings by writing it down.
Access to counselling may be more immediate.
Flexibility to choose the technology you feel is best for you: telephone, email, live chat, or webcam.
Limitations
WIFI can be disrupted or go down
Difficult to find private space
