Can’t Get There In Person?
Online Counselling Provides Safe, Secure Support
Are You Cut Off From The Support You Need?
Do practical difficulties, such as personal mobility issues or lack of transport, make it hard for you to get to counselling sessions in person?
Perhaps distance is an issue. You may live in a remote location, a long way from any therapist. Or you’ve finally found a therapist who seems like a good ‘fit’ for you, but they are based in another part of the country.
Maybe you’d prefer face-to-face sessions, but can’t always make it in person. You might face issues with fluctuating work schedules or childcare difficulties. Or it could be that you have intermittent health problems and can’t always travel.
Online Counselling Could Be The Answer
Modern video platforms are easy to use. I send you a web-link by email. You just click on the link to access your private online waiting room, and I meet you there at our appointment time.
Many of my clients ‘mix and match’ face-to-face and video sessions according to their needs. We might meet online if weather conditions make it unsafe for you to travel, or if you have a bad cold, or if your schedule is very tight one week.
Using video to talk about very personal issues can feel a little strange to begin with. However, most people find themselves adapting to it surprisingly quickly and comfortably.
Making The Most Of Online Sessions
You will need to prepare your own safe, quiet space for your session. This may mean making sure you won’t be disturbed by pets or family members. You might want to get yourself a glass of water or a hot drink, and check you have tissues to hand. Using a device with a larger screen, where possible, will help things feel more natural and comfortable.
It can also be really helpful to think about creating a clear break between your session and other activities. Try to free yourself up a little in advance of each session, so you have time to gather your thoughts. Afterwards you might get up and take a walk, or make a cup of tea, before you return to other screens and people and conversations.
Maybe You Still Have Some Questions About Online Therapy…
“Is Online Counselling Really Effective?”
We all know that video calls lack the same sense of someone’s ‘presence’ compared to being physically in the room with them. And I do personally prefer to meet in person where possible, because of this.
However, studies consistently show that conducting therapy online doesn’t seem to impact its effectiveness. Online therapy has been extensively researched and validated as being equally as effective as in-person sessions. We may both miss the ‘human’ element of being in a room together, but online therapy – whether it’s every session or just the occasional one – can still help you find the right path forwards in your life.
“Is Online Video Secure?”
I take security and confidentiality very seriously. I like Zoom for video calls, because there is no ‘electronic trail’ of our sessions within the app. This means there’s no sensitive data that could be lost or hacked. Every client receives their own unique link to sessions. And maximum security settings are used for all calls, so conversations can never be interrupted by anyone else.
“What If I Don’t Have A Private Space To Talk From?”
Many people struggle to get enough privacy when they’re at home. And for psychotherapy and counselling, having a safe and private space from which to speak is absolutely vital.
There are several things which can help with this. You might wear headphones or ear-buds, to make sure you’re the only one who can hear what I’m saying. You could also ask those you live with to turn on some entertainment in another room, to avoid your own words being overheard.
And, don’t forget to consider ‘alternative’ private spaces. I have worked with people speaking from a garden shed, a car, or an attic. As long as you can still get a phone or Wi-Fi signal, then we can have our session.
“I’m Just Not Comfortable With Technology!”
Technology can feel really uncomfortable if you don’t use it often. But you don’t have to be a techno-wizard to do online therapy.
If you would like to try video sessions but are nervous of how it all works, I will lead you each step of the way. I’m happy to arrange a ‘test drive’, for you to get used to the technology and make sure it’s all working OK before our initial session.
Taking The Next Step…
Secure video technology makes therapy possible for many people who would otherwise be unable to access the right support. Online counselling has therefore been part of my therapy practice for many years. I have helped people recover from depression, find relief from anxiety, overcome trauma, and navigate difficult life events – all online.
If video sessions are what you need, I will help you get past the initial awkwardness of online sessions, and soon we’ll be on our way. Just contact me for further information or to book a first session together.
“I can’t thank Sarah enough for the lasting and positive contribution she has made on my life… I now feel that although I will still have down days, these will be few and far between and I am equipped with the tools and skills to cope with whatever comes my way.”
Feedback from an online client
Book an initial consultation:
