NOTE: Online therapy is not appropriate if you feel suicidal or for other emergencies. If you need immediate help or are suicidal, click here for free help.

WHAT IS ONLINE COUNSELING OR E-COUNSELING?
Online counseling or therapy is a counseling service that is provided online.

Just like face-to-face therapy, online therapy helps you deal with problems and encourages your personal growth. It may be based on dialog between you and your therapist, assigned readings, or "homework," such as journaling, that will expand your horizons and give you a new perspective that allows you to challenge old problems.

Just as in an office visit, you may receive support, feedback, and, sometimes, strategies to help you with your problems.

Counseling online is different than in-person. But it has been shown to be effective for many people.

I provide online therapy through email, IM, or chat rooms. (Some online clients choose to talk over the phone as well.) Check out my family-friendly sliding scale fees. You may contact me to arrange for a free initial consultation.

You may choose to have only a few email exchanges with a therapist, for consultation or advice. Or you may choose to build a relationship by writing back and forth or talking in a chat room for a number of sessions. If you choose to develop a therapeutic relationship, you will be able to explore your issues more deeply.

The nature of the work we do together is your choice. But you should know that some problems can't be successfully resolved without an ongoing therapeutic relationship. And some problems can't be resolved online. But for many people, who do not choose to work in-person, ecounseling might be a good place to begin.

WHY ONLINE COUNSELING?
Perhaps you've never reached out to a therapist before, and chatting online feels less intimidating to you. Perhaps you are unable to leave your home. Perhaps your schedule does not allow for sessions at convenient times. Or perhaps there isn't the right person to support you where you live.

Many people choose email counseling because it gives them time to think through what they want to say. And they have the opportunity to read and re-read their therapist's responses. Others prefer online counseling via instant messaging for the immediacy of the therapist's responses. Either way, you can talk from the comfort of your own home.

CHAT OR INSTANT MESSAGING
Counseling via instant messaging is very similar to visiting a therapist's office. We make an appointment to chat. You may tell me how you feel, a problem that is bothering you, or anything else that you need to talk about. I respond by listening, offering support, asking questions, giving feedback — or, sometimes, offering strategies if I think they may help you.

Over time, we'll develop a more comfortable relationship. You may be able to dig deeper into what's bothering you — and allow me to be more helpful to you.

If you would like a free initial consultation to see if ecounseling is for you, contact me for an appointment. If you need more information, don't hesitate to ask me. I will answer all of your questions about the process free of charge.

• you may feel freer to be yourself
• you may feel more comfortable in the privacy of your home
• you may feel more comfortable writing about problems than talking about them
• you may write about what is bothering you sooner than if you were talking — this can bring faster resolutions to problems
• writing may help you to think through your problems and to feel your emotions — it can bring focus, clarity, insight, and emotional relief
• you can read and re-read your emails, and chat transcripts
• writing enhances your relationship with yourself
• you can fit emails to your schedule — anytime, day or night
• you can take as long as you want to write

• online therapists miss some important information about you without face-to-face sessions. (Having phone sessions in addition can provide your therapist with more information)
• there may be misunderstandings by email, requiring more effort to explain and ask questions. (This can be a hidden advantage because it encourages us to be clear and ask questions — difficult for some people in-person)
• some problems cannot be resolved online
• confidentiality cannot be guaranteed over the internet
• online therapy is relatively new — although writing as a form of support is not new — and so it's still in its infancy as a form of therapy

CONFIDENTIALITY
As required by law, I keep all your records strictly confidential. There are some exceptions to this: If you plan to kill yourself, harm another person, or if a child is in danger. But I always work to find the best solution to keep you and others safe.

You need to know that I am the only person with access to your records or my computer. I keep all records double-locked. And I secure my computer by firewall, password protection, and in a locked office.

If you would feel more comfortable using encryption, we can employ SAFe-mail.net (although we cannot make a copy of such a session).

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CONFIDENTIALITY
Emailing from work is never confidential. At home, you can set a password for your computer and email server. It is possible to permanently remove emails from your hard drive using third-party software.

To delete the history that you visited my site, try downloading Cookie Monster. For internet security, download Zone Alarm for a good free firewall for personal use.

If you have more questions or concerns about your confidentiality, contact me. You have a right to your confidentiality.