Telephone Counselling
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Sometimes it can be difficult to find the time to see a counsellor face to face. Perhaps you have children, travel a lot for work or live abroad. Maybe you are very busy, care for someone you can't leave or find it difficult to leave the house. Telephone counselling could work for you, although you will need to consider the following;
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How is it different from face to face counselling?
Aside from the obvious differences of never or rarely meeting in person, the confidentiality, professionalism and experience of your counsellor is the same. You will need to make payment before the session starts, so this can take a bit more organisation. It will be a very different experience from counselling face to face, but one that might suit you better, or worse; it's very personal.
Are there any advantages?
This really depends on you, and your preferences and needs. Some advantages could be:
Are there any disadvantages?
Again, this really changes from person to person, but some things to consider are:
I'm not sure whether I want counselling over the telephone, or in person. What should I do?
If you are really not sure, a good first step would be to phone and book a free session. You can meet face to face even if you are thinking of having telephone counselling and talk through your concerns or queries with me. You could try a few sessions over the phone, and change to face to face counselling if you find it doesn't suit you.
Setting up your first session
As with face to face counselling, your first session will be free. Contact me to discuss booking your first session and find out if telephone counselling is for you.
Aside from the obvious differences of never or rarely meeting in person, the confidentiality, professionalism and experience of your counsellor is the same. You will need to make payment before the session starts, so this can take a bit more organisation. It will be a very different experience from counselling face to face, but one that might suit you better, or worse; it's very personal.
Are there any advantages?
This really depends on you, and your preferences and needs. Some advantages could be:
- Convenience - if you can't leave the house or travel, it can be a good alternative
- There are no travel costs involved
- There is no time lost to traveling
- You can choose a counsellor based on your needs, rather than who is on the local area
- Some people find it easier to 'open up' over the telephone, if this is what they want to do
Are there any disadvantages?
Again, this really changes from person to person, but some things to consider are:
- If some of your issues are about relating to people, this might not be as effective over the telephone
- It can be good to set aside some time for yourself and leave your normal surroundings to meet a counsellor face to face - many clients report valuing the time they have to look after themselves in this way, and enjoy the routine
- Some aspects of relating might be lost, such as body language, which might stop you connecting as well as you might need to do effective work in counselling
- You might find it difficult just to talk - counselling face to face opens up other opportunities to work in creative ways which many people find extremely healing
- Sometimes it can be tempting to say more than we would face-to-face, and then feel over-exposed or too vulnerable
I'm not sure whether I want counselling over the telephone, or in person. What should I do?
If you are really not sure, a good first step would be to phone and book a free session. You can meet face to face even if you are thinking of having telephone counselling and talk through your concerns or queries with me. You could try a few sessions over the phone, and change to face to face counselling if you find it doesn't suit you.
Setting up your first session
As with face to face counselling, your first session will be free. Contact me to discuss booking your first session and find out if telephone counselling is for you.
