 Advantages of online counseling
Online counseling provides an alternative to traditional face-to-face counseling at a time when traditional methods are inaccessible, inconvenient, or not preferred. Online counseling may be a useful alternative for people, unable to make it to a counselor’s office, live in a remote area, have a disability, limited time constraints, or would like to get an idea of how counseling works before seeing a counselor face to face.
Online counseling is another method of communicating with a counselor by email, through your computer. You can choose how many email exchanges you want, some people exchange a few emails and others may prefer an ongoing email relationship. E-mail exchanges or interactive journaling as it is sometimes referred, can provide an ongoing dialogue between you and your counselor providing support and over time offers you an opportunity to share your concerns, ask questions, and possibly gain further insights and understanding into the issues that you are experiencing. Also, the act of writing may help you to organize thoughts and clarify feelings.
The primary benefit of online counseling or e-mail counseling is the fact that the sessions are conducted in the privacy of the individuals' home or office. In addition to e-mail as the medium for counseling, some therapists also use telephone and video conferencing services.
Some of the reasons for using e-mail counseling as follows:
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E-mail counseling provides personal space, comfort and safety for individuals who have difficulty discussing their personal problems directly with another person. For some individuals, it is easier to express themselves in writing than face-to-face or on the telephone. E-mail counseling offers a level of personal privacy that goes beyond the capabilities of telephone therapy and face-to-face treatment provides.
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With e-mail counseling, you set the pace; you can take as much time as you want to compose your thoughts, reflect on your responses and those of your counselor, responding to them when you are ready. Counseling by e-mail provides an excellent way to track your progress and review past session notes.
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E-mail or online counseling guidelines are set by professional organizations. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences sets guidelines for professionals and provides information to people at their website.
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Online or e-mail counseling provides access to individuals who are physically handicapped, or those who will not or cannot access local treatment. People with speaking or hearing disabilities, those with concerns about the opinions of others can avail themselves of therapy.
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It is believed that hesitations and inhibitions that are encountered in face-to-face therapy may be minimized using e-mail counseling.
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