Online Counselling A Handbook for Practitioners

Online counselling is becoming increasingly popular, but working with clients through the internet presents new challenges for practitioners. Is it really safe and confidential? How can clients build rapport with their therapist without face-to-face contact? Can feelings really be expressed through text? This book gives invaluable advice on the technical and therapeutic aspects of online work from two seasoned experts. Clear, supportive and very practice-friendly, Online Counselling explores the ways counsellors can use the internet to augment their practice. Readers are taken through a wide range of situations, from setting up contracts and creating a secure working environment to undestanding and using emoticons. Drawing on their considerable experience as online counsellors and supervisors, the authors explain how to create an online working alliance with clients through emails, instant messaging and live chat-room sessions. In particular, the book: Uses language that demystifies the jargon of the internet Tackles ethical and legal issues of working online Explores the use of image and sound online Shows how different theoretical approaches can be applied to online practice Includes step-by-step exercises, memorable examples and a handy glossary.