• Are you unhappy or concerned about the relationship you have with your partner, work colleague, family member or friend?
  
• Is your concern something you feel more comfortable writing about than talking about in the first instance?
  
• Does the idea of remaining relatively anonymous appeal to you?
  
• Are you feeling isolated, lonely, too busy, too tired or too frightened to meet face to face with a counsellor?
  
• Are you feeling ’stuck’ and looking for some new ideas to help you move on with your life?
  
• Does the idea of having a written record that you can refer back to appeal to you?

All these are good reasons for choosing online counselling

The advantage of working online is that you remain in control. You don’t have to make a special journey; you can work in a place that feels comfortable to you and write at a time that is convenient to you. You can say what you need to say without the anxiety of feeling watched and you can be confident that the reply you receive will show empathy and understanding and will offer some new ideas for you to reflect and act on. You will not be asked to make a long-term commitment although if you find my first response helpful you may like to continue the process for a little while.

Online counselling does not suit everyone as you do need to have some typing skills and you do need to know how to keep your work private and secure.

If you are suffering from mental health problems, feeling suicidal or are in a crisis situation then I regret that I am unable to help you as I cannot offer round the clock support. Therefore, I suggest you talk to your GP or seek telephone or email help from the Samaritans or Befrienders as they are available to support you at any time.