Preparing for online counselling
Online counselling requires that both parties have:
Access to a stable and secure internet connection
Devices for audio-visual communication, e.g. built in camera and microphone, or headset.
A private space with no distractions
I encourage you to feel comfortable and personalise your experience of counselling online. Maybe you would prefer to use earphones with a smartphone to join the meeting. If you have a microphone and camera for your computer, or a laptop integrated with both, setting up at a desk with a comfortable chair is another good option. Before starting the session, you might like to prepare yourself with fresh water or a hot drink. Natural light and fresh air are good conditions for a room, but be careful not to compromise your own confidentiality/privacy.
One of the advantages of online counselling is that you can conduct your sessions in other spaces where you might feel more comfortable instead of your home environment. It may be that you have a private office/workspace, friend, or family member whose environment is accessible and more desirable where you can go to carry out your session.
It is useful if you can arrange to have complete privacy and to not be disturbed for the duration of the counselling session. This might mean making people around you aware that you are unavailable for a short while, and keeping your phone notifications turned off.
Individual sessions are charged at £30 and are payable through electronic transfer or PayPal.
1) Fill out a booking form from the 'book a session' page
This form allows me to make contact with you via email, and provides me with some details that are important for me to know before we get started.
You can expect a reply from a few hours up to one working day. I aim to send you a response as soon as possible.
2) Receive a welcome email and tell me when you're available
Included is a copy of the TalkCCT counselling contract which needs to be signed with an electronic signature and returned to me.
Once that is complete, and you make a request from a list of available times to start, everything is in place to begin.
Decide on a quiet and private place where you feel comfortable to set up a phone or laptop/computer and join me at the agreed time to start your counselling.
This will include a free 20 minute introduction period where we can establish a first meeting and answer any questions you might have.
