Online Counselling

What is Person-Centred Counselling?

I find the Person-Centred Approach fits my own philosophy as it has at its very core, an unshakable belief that all people are good. Person-Centred counselling believes that each and every person can, and will, become a more fully functioning person if given the correct conditions. The underpinning principles of the Person-Centred Approach are focused on the counsellor being honest, non-judgmental and fully accepting whilst being fully integrated in the relationship allowing the client to lead and set the pace. I aim to offer these conditions as best as I can during our relationship.

What is online counselling?

Online counselling is a way for you to engage in counselling using internet technology. You direct your counselling by selecting the method of communication you feel most comfortable with. You chose the time, the place and the pace of your counselling to suit your needs.

How it works?

Zoom is a way for you to see your counsellor face to face from your computer whilst engaging in therapy. Should you chose Zoom counselling, you will be guided through setting up your own encrypted Zoom account and we will meet on Zoom at a time that you have previously arranged. Sessions are 50 minutes in length. Being able to see your counsellor gives you more of the benefits you get from face to face counselling but with the convenience of online therapy. By talking you hear tone of voice which is a way to convey empathy and by video you see non-verbal communications such as facial expressions.

Online counselling offers certain benefits but there are also limitations that are worth bearing in mind when deciding which type of therapy will best suit your needs.

Benefits

• Counselling therapy from your own home at a time that suits you

• Secure inscription software offers confidentiality and peace of mind

• No chance that you may be seen entering the counsellor’s practice

• Therapy at a time, place and pace that suits you

• Access to counselling may be more immediate

Things to consider

• Are you comfortable using internet technology?

• Would you prefer to see your counsellor face to face?

• Do you feel you can express your feelings well using words?

• Do you feel your situation is too complex to discuss via the internet?

• Is there a computer terminal that you can use privately without interruption?

Confidentiality

You can read my privacy policy regarding how information you supply is handled by visiting this link:

The information shared with me is held in strict confidence and all electronically stored information is stored on a password protected drive. In adherence with the BACP ethical code, I am obliged to break confidentiality if you were to disclose involvement in or knowledge of an act of terrorism, money laundering and drugs trafficking. In addition, I might have to report instances of harm to self or to others and I do have a legal obligation to report harm or abuse to a minor or vulnerable adult.

The content of your sessions will not be communicated with anyone excepting for the purposes of supervision of my practice. When elements of our sessions are taken to supervision, no identifying information such as your name is used. My supervisor also follows the same procedures for confidentiality as I have outlined.

Audio or audio video counselling takes advantage of the encrypted services offered by Zoom and should you choose this method of counselling, you will guide you through setting up a free account for your therapy. You do not need a webcam to use Zoom counselling.

At the end of our counselling agreement any written information will be stored electronically on a password protected drive for a period of 7 years or in the case of a child 7 years after their 18th birthday in accordance with suggestions from the BACP. After this time the information will be deleted and any paper documents will be shredded.

In addition, if at any point during the counselling you were in need of emergency support, I may ask for your consent to contact your GP, or recommend alternative avenues of support other than online counselling.

In an emergency

Online counselling is not sufficient support if you feel you are in crisis. Signs of crisis may be feelings or thought about suicide or harm yourself or another. In this case, please consider contacting your local accident and emergency department at your nearest hospital and ask to speak to someone from the crisis team.

If you feel you need immediate assistance you may consider contacting the Samaritans, they are available by telephone on 08457 90 90 90 or by email on jo@samaritans.org

All client material is treated in complete confidence and is removed from my computer at the end of our work together. Electronic records are stored on a password protected drive. No identifying names or material is retained on these records as a client ID number is used to replace such information.

Conditions of counselling

I would ask that you do not record any of the content of our sessions without my prior agreement.