We are happy to offer psychological
interventions by email. Our approach to intervention assumes that a good
working relationship between the psychologist and the client is very important
and that effective change occurs IN the client with the psychologist’s help,
rather than being something that the psychologist DOES to the client. This
means that email therapy is possible, as long as we can form a good
relationship and you are prepared to work to change yourself.
email or call 07789 015021
The model of email therapy that we use is
that we exchange relatively long emails over a period of a few days, to allow
us both time for reflection. This can be supplemented with telephone (or Skype) sessions as
appropriate. We do not think that email ‘chat’ (or chatroom chat) is easily
therapeutic.
There are advantages and disadvantages of
working by email:
Disadvantages compared to face-to-face
work
-The effectiveness of many psychological
interventions has not been definitely established for email use.
-Communications by email do not provide any
nonverbal information such as tone of voice, body posture etc., which can help
us to understand each other.
-You do not get the comfort and well-being
that comes from simply talking about your problems with someone who will
listen.
-You get less feeling for the person that
you are talking to, which can hinder forming a good working relationship.
Advantages compared to face-to-face work
+Email therapy can be used by people who
cannot find a private psychologist within travelling distance.
+Some people find it easier to discuss their
problems honestly by email, because it is more detached and less embarrassing.
+Email gives both client and therapist much
more time to think and to choose their words carefully, which can mean that
interventions work more efficiently.
+Having sessions in writing aids memory and allows
the client to review and practice material, which is an important part of
psychological therapy.
+You are less distracted by the person you
are talking to.
Because our overheads
are lower with email sessions, email work is on a sliding scale of £50-£100 per
hour (55-110 euros/ $80-160 at current exchange rates). This typically involves
two exchanges of email between the client and therapist, over perhaps two
weeks.