E-counselling with Lucy Marlin

From January to June 2014 I participated in courses offered through the University of Toronto to be fully up to date in the realm of cyber-counselling. I have always felt I would not conduct therapy through text as I couldn’t understand how this could translate into the energy one feels in the office (as well as non-verbal communication) that can be so helpful for a therapeutic process. I thought the idea was strange and I questioned its effectiveness.

Upon completion of the courses my level of belief in the process has completely changed. I now fully see the value and effectiveness of online text therapy and see that there are many people who much prefer it and benefit greatly from it.

Benefits of E-counselling

• No travel to an office to be seen; many find it easier to divulge challenges through online text
  
• No need to leave your home; going to an office can be difficult when experiencing anxiety/depression/other mental health challenges
• Very comfortable and accessible – you can do it in your pajamas any time of the day
• You can be anywhere, anytime (on vacation, in another country, up in the middle of the night)
• A special energy is created through text via special forms of writing that is very effective and healing
• A typed log of your interactions with the therapist exists that you can read through, review, re-word and learn from indefinitely

What is E-Counselling?

In e-counselling a virtual space and relationship is created between client and therapist that exists within the mind somewhere. It can be compared with having a private journal that responds to you in a clinical manner. The client types a message to the therapist and the therapist responds within a pre-determined time period and so-on. It can be very helpful and healing for you through life’s difficult adjustments and processes. It may be a good option for you.

E-counselling is the process of learning more about one’s self through therapeutic clinical work with a trained and experienced therapist on-line via email communication through a secure server (the best way to keep your computer communication private). This type of communication may seem distant and cold, however, a strong and very natural connection can be created between you and your therapist even though you are in two different places. This contact is typically asynchronous (you and your therapist type to each other at different times).  The client may respond to the therapist within 7 days on their own time and the therapist does the same in response.

A secure server, a service purchased by this organization, is used for all e-communication. Messages are encrypted (put into a jumbled code when going between you and your therapist).

Young People and E-counselling

If you are reading this and want to have e-counselling services, you must be 18 years of age. If you are not, please have your parents make contact so that they can give permission.

Emergencies and E-counselling

If you need emergency support or you are in danger please call 911. This service, as it is set up, is not fast enough to respond to emergencies. When you proceed from here you will hear from your therapist within 3 work days (initially), and then within 7 days between sessions. Do not write something time-sensitive as you may not hear from your therapist as quickly as you need to.

To Begin

Upon beginning e-counselling you will receive an introductory ‘housekeeping’ message from the therapist letting you know all about e-counselling, how it works and what to expect. This will also include all other matters of informed consent such as confidentiality, e-communication security and privacy.

The therapist will reply to your first communication within 3 working days. You can then reply when you would like. The therapist will reply to your message within 7 days, and so on. Leaving some time and space between sessions is important for the process. It will help you to clarify things for yourself and will help make the most of this experience. Messages may need to be more frequent related to the needs and therapeutic plan for each individual.

To begin the e-counselling process and receive a beginning message from a therapist, please complete information below. You will then receive a message back within 3 working days. There is NO OBLIGATION or payment for any services for doing this first step.

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