Do not fear death so much,

but rather the inadequate life.  

                            Bertolt Brecht

e-Counselling

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Soulstir: Psychotherapy, Counseling, Consulting, Yoga and Meditation in Victoria, BC

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What is  e-Counselling?

e-counselling is providing counselling to people via e-mails.

This approach is relatively young and obviously have been developed as technology of Internet became available.

How does e-counselling work?

Initially, clients fill out a secure form on this site introducing themselves and describing the nature of their problems.  Within 1-2 days I respond to their request and assign them a secure e-mail  on my server.  After this we  exchange a series of e-mails

using secure server as a container for all messages.  This way confidential information never leaves the secure server.  More over, it is encrypted thus providing an extra layer of security.

Who can benefit from e-counselling?

e-counselling is ideal for a person who is familiar and comfortable with using computers and e-mails, have an affinity to writing or expressing themselves in written word, and whose issues are not of urgent nature.

What are the benefits of e-counselling?

The more obvious benefits are related to flexibility of e-counselling:

you can access help right in the comfort of your home or  while travelling.   You do not need to make an appointment, the exchange of e-mails is asynchronous.  People who live in remote areas where psychological help is not available can have access to a qualified counsellor via Internet.

Some people feel reluctant to engage in a face to face dialogue about their problems and e-counselling may provide a more comfortable avenue.

Compared to face-to-face counselling, e-counselling has some unique benefits.  For example, while composing emails, one has a chance to ponder issues and reflect on them.  As they type their messages, clients enter a “zone of reflection”,  helping them process many aspects of their concerns even before they receive a response from a counsellor.

Another unique benefit of  e-counselling is “disinhibition effect”. Absence of face-to-face contact  and social cues allows people to reveal themselves a lot more openly and honestly via e-mails and form a deeper relationship with counsellor much quicker via e-mails.

You can further read about  e-counselling process here.

Is e-counselling inappropriate for some people?

e-counselling is not indicated for people in crisis, those who are severity depressed and suicidal, those who have psychotic symptoms.

These groups of people require direct and immediate face-to-face help e-counselling is not able to provide.

People who are not comfortable with e-mail, writing or those who are not comfortable forming therapeutic relationship via e-mail obviously will not benefit from e-counselling.

Is e-counselling confidential?

All correspondence stays in the secure server which uses latest state of the art encryption technology.  Clients and therapists use special password to enter it.  If password and access to your computer is secure, information exchange via e-mails is confidential.  When clients sign for e-counselling, they are provided with guidelines about how to maximize security of e-counselling.

Clients who live in Victoria, BC can also access my services in person. Please contact me to book an appointment.

E-counselling Resources

1. • International Society for Mental Health Online
   

1. • Metanoia

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