Email Counselling and Therapy

I strongly believe that email counselling (also known as email therapy) can be as effective as ‘traditional’ therapy and counselling. It allows support for people who may not be able to access face-to-face or online counselling and can be particularly useful in the following situations:

• Where you are not comfortable with face-to-face, online or telephone sessions, for whatever reason. You may not be able to get out of the house such as with agoraphobia or a disability, or alternatively where you are not comfortable using technology.
• When speech and hearing are difficult. Counselling, as a talking therapy, makes it difficult for many people.
• When you prefer writing. You may like to record your thoughts as and when they arise rather than under the pressure of a discussion or traditional counselling session. Email counselling allows you to take your time to think about it, when it suits you.
• If committing to a regular time for an hour (plus travelling if face-to-face) is difficult. With email counselling you can do it when it suits you, for however long you wish to do it.
• You prefer the comfort of your own home. There’s no travelling and you don’t have to see or speak to anyone.
• To avoid the need for memory and recall. A lot can come up in a one-hour counselling session and it’s not always possible to remember it. Because you get an email in response you can read it in your own time, reflect on it and refer to it as often as you wish.
• You like an ongoing written dialogue. Like an exchange of letters, both the writer and receiver have the time to reflect and consider, at a time that suits them. Responses and discussions are often more measured this way, without the pressure for quick thinking dialogue.
• For confidentiality. There may be something embarrassing or difficult to talk about that you wouldn’t want to say in person. Email counselling is ideal for this as neither of you can see each other. You can also go slowly with what you reveal rather than blurting it out, perhaps by accident, as you can take a more measured, considered approach.

How Does it Work?

Write an email of whatever length works for you (between 500 and 1000 words is usually sufficient), email it to me and I’ll email you back with appropriate guidance and support. I am a qualified counsellor with an MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy and a qualified mindfulness meditation teacher, so the support given will be tailored to what you need and professional. This isn’t an email exchange between friends, it will be therapeutic based around your needs from a qualified counsellor.

I use a secure email service called ProtonMail to ensure confidentiality, security and privacy.

Don’t worry about things like formatting, grammar, spelling and punctuation. The aim is to give you some assistance and guidance, not judge your written English. If typing is an issue then you can use talk-to-text software.

However you do it, I’ll send a response within a few days. If you give me an indication of when you will send me something, I’ll let you know exactly when I can reply. Some people like to get into the habit of sending an email once a week or fortnight, for example, and know that they will get a reply within two working days of having sent it. I’m comfortable with an arrangement like that, or alternatively you can be flexible with when you want to send me something.

How Much Does it Cost?

Your first email is free (up to 500 words) so that you can try the service. Then it’s £45 per email or alternatively a block of four to be used when you wish at a cost of £160 (an 11% discount). This is useful when you know you want to enter into a conversation about something specific. Payment is by bank transfer with payment to be made before my reply is sent. I’ll send through payment and contact details if you would like to proceed.

What Can Email Counselling be Used for?

Email counselling and email therapy is suitable for anything you may go to a counsellor for, such as anxiety, stress, burnout, depression, mid-life crisis and life transitions. It can be particularly helpful for health issues that restrict mobility and travelling or where you are nervous about opening up in front of someone. You disclose as much or as little as you like and I won’t pry, although I may invite you to reflect on something in your own time and in your own way.

Some people also use it as a trial to see if therapy might work for them before they move on to face-to-face or online, but this is by no means a requirement.