Online Counselling
Online counselling may suit you if:
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You have mobility or other difficulties which make it hard for you to get out of the house
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You feel nervous or embarrassed about sharing some of your thoughts and feelings face-to-face
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You feel more confident expressing yourself in text
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You would like an ongoing written record of your conversation with your counsellor so that you can reflect on it after the session
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You need greater flexibility and prefer to arrange sessions at a time and place that suit you
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You are not sure about counselling and want to see what it's like before committing to face-to-face work
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You live abroad and cannot access counselling in English
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You would benefit from additional counselling as a supplement to face-to-face work
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You don't want to be on a waiting list
Please note online counselling is not suitable for crisis support. Please click here if you are feeling suicidal or out of control.
Webcam
You may feel that you would like face to face counselling, but for various reasons such as mobility issues or childcare responsibilities, you are unable to access my counselling room or commit to a specific hour every week for therapy. In cases such as these, counselling via webcam might be the answer. You will need a laptop or tablet, a reliable internet connection, and a private space free from interruption for the duration of the session. Webcam sessions are suitable for couples as well as individuals.
Webcam sessions last for fifty minutes and cost £50. The fee is payable 12 hours before our agreed meeting time. I can rearrange sessions with more than 12 hours notice, but a cancellation fee of £25 will be charged for any unscheduled or late cancellations. If for any reason we experience technical issues during our session I will try to reconnect with you, but if this is not possible we will make contact via the agreed alternative such as email or phone. For your security and privacy, I use Vsee for webcam work. This is an encrypted platform regularly used for online counselling, and you can download it for free by visiting https://vsee.com My Vsee address is sarahjanejack@hotmail.co.uk
Safer Use of Online Counselling
Online counselling is not intended to provide emergency support or crisis intervention. It is not suitable or safe for people who are currently experiencing high levels of emotional/psychological distress or those who are in imminent physical danger. If you feel you are unsafe or at risk of seriously harming yourself or others, please contact your GP, local Accident and Emergency Department, the police or one of the following organisations for help:
Samaritans call 116123 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or email jo@samaritans.org
If you are feeling suicidal, please take some time to look at this link: https://metanoia.org/suicide/
These organisations may also be able to offer some support:
Many young people find online counselling a very appealing and useful way of accessing ongoing support, and there are excellent services available to help. If you live in Sussex, contact the Young People's Support Network for free online counselling. I am not currently working online with clients under 18, but would be happy to see you for face-to-face sessions.
In order to protect your privacy and mine, it is not permissible to publish the content of any of our online exchanges or share them with a third party.
I will not be able to accept any invitations for contact with current or past clients via social media.
Just as with face to face counselling, it is important that you are not under the influence of alcohol or other substances, and that you are safe, private and undisturbed when we have our online sessions.