Online counseling

[SaraBellumHertz]

Has anyone used an online counsellor? I am considering it as an option but I am not sure about counseling in the written form rather than spoken.

I'd be interested in any thoughts.

When you say "online" do you mean by email rather than something like Skype or messaging?

I used Relate email service once but didn't find it very good. The reason for this was that the counsellor went down a certain route in her reply, based on one comment I had written, and she was on the wrong track- had this been face to face then I could have told her straight away. She also suggested I consider certain things which I already had, but of course in one initial email where you are limited to a word count, you can't explain everything.

It might work for you- but these were my experiences.

If you cannot see anyone in person then phone counselling would be better IMO to email.

Thanks. Yes I meant email counseling.

Seeing someone in person is virtually impossible due to location, and I don't really like chatting on the phone with people I don't know- I find the lack of body language to rely on difficult.

Obviously emails come with their own difficulties but I was thinking a pro might be that I could be concise and focused. I can see why you had the issues you did.

I think it depends entirely on what you are most comfortable with. Some people find it helpful to use online counselling because they can write things in an 'anonymous' way that they might never say out loud. In some ways a a bit like some of the posts on here, except that you have one response not hundreds. It can also be more flexible - so you use the online service at a time that suits you, rather than having to get out to an appointment at a specific time.

There has been some very good research about this, the counselling agencies wouldn't use this method if they didn't have evidence of its effectiveness.

But, for some people, it's not the right thing. Try it and see.

Personally, I would find it more preferable to talk on the phone. If you find lack of body language difficult then email surely would be much worse? At least on the phone you can hear the intonnation in the person's voice, pauses, and so on? You also have the opportunity to correct any mis conceptions they have rather than having to wait ( and pay for) the next email.

amelia I suppose I see emailing and talking face to face as totally different concepts where as talking on the phone seems like a lesser version of talking face to face IYSWIM?

I think writing things down might be helpful in itself and actually allow me to focus properly. I have had face to face counseling in the past but was never really able to open up.

This might be stating the obvious but you appear to need some sort of help to enable you to open up- taking the email way may simply exacerbate the issues you have. tackling your issue of opening up may actually be more helpful.

I think the lack of ability to open up is separate to the issues that I feel I need counseled about. But I would say that wouldn't I

I expect it was that I never gelled with counsellor and felt quite judged. It got o the point where I couldn't really be arsed.

Thanks for the input.