What is Online Counselling ?

Online counselling is conducted on the internet. It is an exchange of written messages between counsellor and client and, whilst not being substitute for face to face counselling, it is equally as effective.
It is secure, confidential, and, if required, completely anonymous. It proceeds at a pace that the client is comfortable with and is of particular benefit to those who, for whatever reason, may be unable to use face to face counselling.

The client and counsellor can discuss the client's concerns and issues online in three ways:-

• E-Mail Counselling - The exchange of E-Mails.
• Chatroom Counselling - The exchange of "chat" messages in a secure chatroom that is attached to, and only accessible through, the Counselling Solutions website.
• Instant Messenger Counselling - The exchange of instant messages whilst logged in to MSN or Yahoo Messenger.

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How Does E-Mail Counselling Work ?

Write an E-Mail to the counsellor and the counsellor will respond to that E-Mail within two working days.

There is a fee for each E-Mail exchange.

There is no limit to the number of E-Mails you can write or the length and content of those E-Mails.

Sending an E-Mail

Counselling E-Mails may be sent from this site by clicking any "Send a Counselling E-Mail" link and then typing or pasting your content into the secure, online E-Mail form.

Alternatively, you may choose to use your normal E-Mail account or a web based E-Mail account, such as Yahoo or Hotmail, with a nickname, to preserve anonymity.

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Chatroom Counselling - How Does It Work ?

At a designated time, client and counsellor log in to a dedicated, secure chatroom attached to the Counselling Solutions website.

Once inside the chatroom, counsellor and client exchange "chat" messages for the agreed length of the counselling session. ( usually 50 minutes )

There is a fee for each chatroom counselling session

There is no limit to the number of counselling sessions the client may have or the number of chat messages that can be sent.

The subject and content of each session is solely the choice of the client.

Logging in to a chatroom

All password and username information are included on the Welcome Reply E-Mail

1. Click the "Chatroom Login" link. You will be taken to a security screen.
2. Enter the password you were given on the Welcome E-Mail and press submit. You will be taken to the chatroom login screen.
3. Enter the username and password listed on the Welcome E-Mail
4. Ensure that the drop-down box in the middle of the words "create your own room" ( at the bottom of the page ) is set to private.
5. Enter the chatroom name you were given on the Welcome Email and click chat to enter the chatroom.
6. You may begin chatting as soon as counsellor and client are ready.

Counselling Solutions apologize if these login procedures seem a bit complicated at first, but they are designed to protect our chatrooms from casual surfers and to give absolute privacy and security when counselling is in progress.

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How Does Instant Messenger (MSN and Yahoo) Counselling Work?

At a designated time counsellor and client log on to Messenger

Once logged on counsellor and client exchange instant messages for the agreed length of the counselling session. ( usually 50 minutes )

There is a fee for each instant messenger counselling session.

There is no limit to the number of counselling sessions the client may have or the number of instant messages that can be sent.

The subject and content of each session is solely the choice of the client.

Instant Messenger Counselling

It is assumed that the client has experience in the use of Messenger.

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Getting Started

1.	Read the terms and conditions
2.	Complete and submit the on-line Online Questionaire.	The information you provide will be treated with the utmost confidence. It will be used to gain an understanding of your problem and allow me to establish whether online counselling would be beneficial to you. I may even suggest other forms of counselling if I think them appropriate.
3.	You will receive a ‘Welcome’ E-Mail. ( Normally within 24 hours )	This E-Mail will include details of how your online counselling can proceed. It will also provide a secure E-Mail address and some security information to ensure future communication is confidential.
4.	If you wish to continue then make a payment.	I accept payment through Paypal, a secure online fast and convenient payment service. More information is available in the How To Make A Payment section of this page.
5.	If you have not already been given an appointment then you may make one online.

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How Much Does It Cost?

For a full range of fees and discounts please visit the "Fees and Services" section of this website.

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How To Make A Payment

Payments can be made through PayPal, a fast, secure, online payment service. There are two methods:-

1. Click on the "Make a Payment" or "Fees and Services" link and click the appropriate "Buy Now" button.

NOTE : I do not, at any time, have access to your financial information.

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The Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Counselling

The Advantages of Online Counselling

• Provides direct access for people
  • Living in remote areas where there may be limited transport and few, if any, local therapists
  • With certain disabilities, for example, people with hearing difficulties or people who are less mobile
  • With social anxiety or phobias
  • With long-term illness and their carers who may be unable to leave them
  • Who do not have childcare
  • Without lengthy waiting lists

• Clients can have counselling in the comfort of their own surroundings, enabling them to relax and open up more easily. Clients may feel anxious, embarrassed, ashamed, self-conscious or simply nervous working face to face with a counsellor.

• No travelling time or expense incurred.

• Anonymity is preserved and may be enhanced, helping to reduce any perceived stigma involved in having counselling.

The Disadvantages of Online Counselling

• Online counselling will not be appropriate for all clients in all situations. Our service is not suitable for those who are suicidal or those who are under the age of consent (under eighteen). In addition, online counselling may not be appropriate for people with certain disabilities, for example, the visually impaired or those with special needs, people with psychoses, severe personality disorders and people with drug and alcohol addictions.

• Most people are unable to communicate as quickly as they could with the spoken word.

• There is the possibility that counselling may be interrupted unexpectedly due to power cuts, a break in Internet connection, etc.

• Lack of non-verbal communication may be a limitation for some clients and counsellors, but not necessarily for everyone.

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