How much will it cost?

The first consultation session will be free - after that is £20 per therapeutic email (or alternatively MSN session - lasting approximately 50 mins).   You can expect to receive a reply to your email within 24 hours at the outside - or much earlier than that.

After the first email see how you feel and then you will need to arrange with Paypal if you decide to go ahead.

If you arrange a transfer before sending the emails there would be no unnecessary delay in my replying to you.
 
Security

If you are happy for me to use ordinary email I have not had any go astray yet.

If, however, you wanted me to encrypt emails you would need to send me an email with a digital signature.  Unless this is already set up on your computer it means you need to find and download suitable software.

MSN or Email?

Would  you prefer sessions on MSN or by email? MSN is instant 'live' but depends whether you would feel more comfortable being able to take your time, putting your thoughts together in an email?  It's whichever your feel more comfortable with.

Number/Frequency of Sessions/emails

A weekly email/session can give you time to think about what we discuss in the sessions.  I find once a week with my face to face clients is also about the right balance.

It may be tempting to have more than one email/sesson per week, however as an ethical counsellor I need to remind you of the added cost element though as would not want it to cause you more stress.
 
The basic principles are identical to face to face counselling and I invite you to look at "What is Counselling"for full information as to this.

When will I receive a reply?

Generally speaking I can get a quicker reply to you if you email Wed/Thurs/Fri.

Mon/Tues may take up to 24 hours for a reply.

If you can get an email to me before 6 any day there is a much better chance of a quick response eg a 10 pm email may not get a response until maybe 7 the next day.

I keep weekends as non working days.

What do I do next?

All we need now is for you to let me know when you want to send your first email - which I will take as the initial consultation - and we can work from there.

I look forward to working with you.

I need to advise you that I am unable to offer an emergency service and you may want to contact the samaritans if there are thoughts of self harm or harm to others.

                           Telephone Fax - 01204 591717**