Online counseling, via e-mail, can be a valid alternative to meet your counseling needs. The format is different from face-to-face consultation with a behavioral healthcare professional. It is important to ensure your choice to use this tool is an informed one.
Potential Limitations of E-mail Counseling
Misunderstandings are possible, and more cumbersome to correct with text-only e-mail.
Typical nonverbal cues that are part of face-to-face communication such as body language, facial expressions, and/or tone of voice are not present.
Online counselling via email is not to be considered psychotherapy.
(It can, however, provide a therapeutic benefit through advising, supporting, and educating/informing.)
Any form of mental health diagnosis is significantly limited to a generalized estimate.
Emergency or Crisis situations cannot be addressed; and, consultations with other service providers are limited.
Because of geographic differences, referral information will be impacted based on lack of personal knowledge of the area, and be limited to published information.
Some issues/problems cannot be dealt with via a text only communication format.
While My-Counseling-Site.com uses 128-bit encryption for all communications, the ability to maintain absolute confidentiality is limited by my lack of control regarding security on your computer, and privacy at your location.
There exists a possibility of technology failures and time delays in transmitting and receiving information.
Potential Benefits of E-mail Counseling
It can be a convenient method that fits your schedule. You may send and receive e-mail at any time of the day or night. You will receive a response within 24-36 hours.
Counseling via e-mail can help overcome distance, disability, or transportation issues.
You never have to leave messages, you avoid talking with intermediaries, and you don't have to play phone tag.
You can take as long as you need to compose a message or question. This gives you the chance to reflect and edit as you feel necessary.
Online counseling using e-mail is affordable and costs much less than office based counseling services.
While e-mail counseling in not considered psychotherapy, it can be helpful and therapeutic by giving you tools to work through a variety of problems or issues.
You have a record of your communications. This can help you review suggestions, techniques, advice, etc.
You may feel less inhibited on-line than you would with face-to-face counseling.
Your privacy is protected: you are the only one with knowledge of your usage.
As part of an ethical disclosure, please be informed of the alternatives to receiving online counseling: