What is telephone counselling?
When you think of counselling, you’ll likely picture a room with two chairs. One for the client and one for the counsellor. And this image isn’t wrong – counselling often does take place in a face-to-face setting.
However, professional support has developed. No longer are we limited to our local area – or needing to travel – to get the help we need. Telephone counselling and online therapy can make professional support more accessible without the need to travel.
Telephone counselling allows you to access support without travelling, at an agreed time that works for you and your counsellor. Many counsellors offer telephone support.
How does telephone counselling work?
The first step is simply to search for a counsellor who offers telephone support. On Counselling Directory, you can easily browse profiles until you find the counsellor you would like to work with. The next step is to make contact. You can either email or call the counsellor for an initial discussion. If the counsellor feels that telephone counselling is an appropriate way for you to work together, a session can be booked for a time that is convenient for you.
During an initial conversation, the counsellor may ask about what has brought you to counselling, what you hope to get from therapy and any relevant background information. They may also explain how they work, including confidentiality, fees and their cancellation policy.
Remember to give your telephone and online sessions time. Like face-to-face counselling, it can take a while to adapt to the process and for you and your therapist to develop a rapport with each other.
- Rebecca Morgan explains more in Four tips for getting the most out of online and telephone counselling.
What are the benefits of telephone counselling?
Telephone counselling can offer several benefits. Some people find talking over the phone feels more private or comfortable than meeting face-to-face, particularly when discussing difficult experiences. This can be particularly beneficial if you feel nervous, embarrassed, or fearful about talking through your experiences, as it gives you greater control. Receiving counselling in the comfort of your own home can also help ease some of the initial nerves you may have.
Telephone counselling can be a convenient option if attending regular face-to-face sessions is difficult. For example, you may have a busy schedule, travel regularly, have caring responsibilities or live somewhere where accessing in-person support is more difficult. Phone sessions can offer greater flexibility and allow you to access counselling without needing to travel.
How can you keep your remote therapy session private?
Remote therapy can make professional support more accessible, whether due to convenience, comfort, or not needing to travel. But it can also bring its own privacy considerations.
In-person counselling takes place in a private setting, whereas remote therapy may require you to think more carefully about privacy in your surroundings. You can take steps to make your sessions more private and comfortable, including finding a suitable space and asking those you live with for privacy.
Thorbjorg Vigfusdottir, educational psychologist and CEO of Kara Connect, shares five tips on creating a safe and private space for your child’s next virtual therapy session. While written with children in mind, many of the tips can also help adults create a more private space for remote therapy.
Online therapy
Like telephone counselling, online therapy offers access to professional support at a time and location that is convenient for you. There are many forms of online therapy, including email counselling, online chat and video chat counselling.
