What is On-line Counseling?

by Lauren Trecosta, LPC

Most people I talk to about on-line counseling are first confused: What is on-line counseling? And then surprised: You can do counseling online? How does that work?

Life can be difficult. People struggle with decisions, relationships, work, and family every day. Some of the stresses are small. Some are large. Some require coping and management skills. Others require processing and grieving. Still more require the confidence that comes with building self-esteem and boundaries. And, of course, there are always those that require communication and inter-relational skills.

No question about it: there are times when just about all of us could use at least a little help with this thing called life.

So where can you get help?

You can get help from your friends, your spiritual advisors or leaders, and counselors. Of course, it depends on the kind of help you need. You could also get help from lawyers, doctors, nurses, mediators, and life coaches. At first, most of this help was available exclusively through face-to-face meetings. Then, as it became more accepted and life got busier, consultation for pay became more widely available through telephone calls. People realized that, while it wasn't exactly the same, you could still get a lot accomplished and glean a lot of important information through a telephone call.

Now you can get help over the internet. Is it exactly the same as meeting someone in-person? No. Can it be an excellent support tool? Absolutely.

On-line counseling is helpful for people who are functioning in their daily lives, but are experiencing either chronic or situational stress, sadness, or confusion. On-line counseling is very appropriate for people experiencing life challenges like marriages, parenting, relationships, and self-esteem.

On-line counseling is not appropriate when the issues involved threaten anyone's physical well-being or when one's sense of reality is significantly damaged or distorted. For that reason, on-line counseling is inappropriate for: people experiencing thoughts or plans of suicide or self-injury; experiencing or inflicting abuse of any kind; experiencing hallucinations, delusions, or other reality impairing symptoms; experiencing significant personality disorders; or experiencing substance abuse, eating disorders, or self-injurious behaviors. In addition, it is not possible to receive a diagnosis or a prescription for medication using on-line counseling.

On-line counselors offer psycho-educational support to people experiencing real-time difficulties in their lives. The relationship that builds between the therapist and the client is issue and solution-oriented. It is built, like all relationships, on the "conversation" – or the interaction. Typically, a client will get to review a profile, photograph, and a video/audio greeting before beginning a relationship.

To begin on-line counseling, simply search "on-line counseling" or "internet counseling," and start sifting through the numerous hits. When you find a therapist who appeals to you, you will follow their steps to getting started. Generally, that will involve filling out a short questionnaire, registering on their web-site, selecting the mode of service (e-mail, chat, or telephone), and purchasing a single unit or package deal. If you are receiving on-line counseling through e-mail, you will probably begin then. If you have selected phone or chat, you will be guided to schedule an appointment.

There are some positive aspects to on-line counseling that you don't get through traditional counseling. First, it typically is more affordable. The cost for a half-hour of on-line counseling can be $40. Second, it is more convenient. You can keep your appointment from your home at virtually anytime of day or night. For people who don't have nearby clinicians, this convenience is especially helpful. Third, the flip side of the traditional face-to-face encounter: only your thoughts come to the meeting. That is, a lot of our day-to-day problems have to do with how we perceive real-life events: the story we tell ourselves (our perspective or filter) about the facts that have just happened. On-line counseling focuses on your thoughts and feelings about events, not your appearances or your gestures or even the words that come out of your mouth. This journaling aspect of on-line counseling with professional guidance, feedback, and questioning can help a client get to the core of cognitive distortions.

In conclusion, on-line counseling is an excellent support tool for people who would like professional feedback while actively processing and resolving life's daily concerns.

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Lauren Trecosta is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 13 years clinical experience. She is an on-line counselor and coach with www.AskTheInternetTherapist.com.