Phone/messaging counselling
Instant Messaging:
- We will be online at the same time and will exchange conversation via online chat through Skype or Zoom. Both of these are easily downloaded onto your phone, tablet or PC.
- Although we cannot see or hear each other, Instant Messaging works more like face counselling as we are responding to each other in real time.
- Communicating in real time can help us to feel more connected.
Telephone Counselling:
Telephone counselling is becoming increasingly popular for people who don't have internet or struggle with somewhere private. It can be as effective as working face-to-face with a therapist, possible platforms can be E-mail, Instant Messaging (Chat) or Webcam.Working via the telephone is the same as face-to-face counselling in that clients have the choice to have a number of sessions leading on from each other or they may have just one to try it out and give it a go. Some clients start via the phone and then move to face-to-face therapy, the choice is always with the client.Counselling can provide someone with the support they need at certain times in their life. This could perhaps be when they are going through a difficult time and need to talk to someone, or perhaps they would like to explore and work through a difficult decision that has come up for them. Online counselling provides the same service here as face-to-face working.Benefits of telephone counselling over meeting face to face:It can be more practical, you don’t have to travel long distances to see a therapist, it can fit around your commitments.You can access it from the comfort of your home or other confidential private space even the car. It may be easier to speak with someone rather than face to face, sometimes it can be easier to talk about challenging issues online without the actual presence of someone in the room.Telephone counselling also works well as a stepping stone allowing someone who is anxious to get to know their counsellor before moving to face to face counselling.