The world of online counselling is an interesting place to work. Because sometimes you are engaging with a client in real-time and other times you are not\u2026.and yet, you are.<\/p>\n
Sound vague? Let me explain a bit more.<\/p>\n
Asynchronous Text-based <\/strong>\u2013 This is a lot like email. Your client writes you a message describing their issues\/concerns. You write a message to your client and send it to them. Later they write a reply and send it back to you. And so on.<\/p>\n This is the method I use most often in my online work.\u00a0\u00a0 I like the ability to take time to really think through what I want to say. I get to craft my words and seek out resources to share with my client without worrying that someone is waiting for a response from me.\u00a0\u00a0 I can read ahead and get an overview of what the client is thinking\/feeling and that helps me shape my sessions.<\/p>\n Clients also tell me they find this a valuable way to do counselling because they can the time they need and also they can read and re-read our conversations.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Real-time Chat <\/strong>is a scheduled time when my client and I are online and we communicate via an instant messaging system. Think back to MSN messenger.\u00a0\u00a0 Saying that doesn\u2019t quite do it justice but I hope it gives you an idea of how it works.\u00a0\u00a0 I enjoy using this real-time method of counselling. There is a different sense for me of my client\u2019s presence.\u00a0\u00a0 Because I can hear\/see their responses immediately it brings me more into the present moment with them.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t know what they are going to say or how the conversation will shift or move depending on their response.\u00a0\u00a0 As in face-to-face counselling. I used to do improvisational acting and one of my teachers used to talk about being in the \u201cyes mode\u201d and going with the flow. That\u2019s what the real-time chat is like for me.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I always end those sessions feeling energized.<\/p>\n Clients share with me that it works for them because they can schedule a time and they can do the session in a place\/space that is comfortable and convenient for them. As well as \u2013 they can read and re-read our conversations.<\/p>\n Recently, I recommended a book to a client and before I finished my next comment she said she had ordered it.\u00a0\u00a0 Gotta like that!<\/p>\n