About online psychological therapy
(general public version)

Online psychological therapy is a way of accessing help by using your own computer and the internet.

It works either by email exchange - you write to your therapist and he or she writes back - or by live session when you and your therapist are at your computers at the same time. Your therapeutic 'conversations' can use text (typing), voice (microphone) or video (webcam) to communicate. Live sessions can be held using a private chat room or free Instant Messenger software like MSN. Some online therapists have a secure therapy room on their websites and many use a mixture of both email and live sessions.*

You don't have to go anywhere to do it and you can arrange your sessions to suit you - they don't have to be on the same day or at the same time every week.

This makes it very suitable for people who are unable to get around easily, are at home with small children, work shifts or live in remote places. It can suit people who prefer not to have their therapist looking at them whilst they talk. It's also ideal for people who are hard of hearing.

It can be extremely effective. Deep relationships can be formed and great changes can take place as the work progresses.

Is there anything else I need besides my computer and an internet connection?

You need to be comfortable with expressing yourself (explaining how you feel) in writing and/or in some instances may choose to use drawings etc. Remember that your therapist cannot see you wriggling around in your seat, the tears running down your face or your cheerful grin.

You also need to know how to send and receive emails and how to use a chat room.

So are there any occasions when working online is not appropriate?

Online therapy is not generally recommended for people who are actively contemplating suicide. They are advised to contact Samaritans, Befrienders Worldwide or their own doctor.

Receiving help online is different from being face to face with a therapist - but it works. So if it appeals to you, why not give it a go?

*These are the most frequently used methods of communication but you can also use PDAs, digital TV, VoIP (computer telephone) or mobile phones instead of a computer.