About E-therapy - Therapy Online

Deer Lake,Burnaby,BC,Canada

       

Patricia Roles' Virtual E-Counseling Room

What is E-therapy, Online Therapy or E-counseling?

E-therapy or e-counseling is counseling over the internet using e-mail. Some e-therapy sites offer therapy via synchonized chats, however, this site uses only counseling by email. The extensive access to e-mail has brought new opportunities to communicate online. E-therapy or e-counseling is a way to engage in therapy or counseling online from a distance. It is a fast, easily accessible, cost effective, time efficient, way to access a professional from your own home at whatever time of day works for you.. It can be particularly convenient if you travel or have a hectic life without time to think until the end of the day when your home is quiet. It is also accessible for those with physical limitationswho may find it challenging to leave the house, or for those who do not live near specialized counseling services.

E-therapy is not suitable for everyone's needs. It is not intensive psychotherapy. It is not suitable for diagnosing or treating psychiatric illness. It is not an effective means of responding to crises such as: suicidal feelings, homicidal feelings, abuse, trauma, or acute psychiatric symptoms. If you are feeling suicidal, you need immediate support. In the USA, you can make a free call to the National Suicide Hotline at: 1-800-784-2433. Anyone with a mental health crisis can contact the Good Samaritans through their website at:

Mental Health Crisis Line - Sarmaritans: Help with Self-harm or Suicidal Feelings

Find Out More About:


Fees

E-counseling Fees:
  • Initial brief session for $40 (CAN funds)
  • Regular session for $55 (CAN funds)
  • Package of 3 regular sessions for $150 (CAN funds)
  • Face-to-face Office Sessions:

  • $120 (CAN funds) 1 hour session
  • Office Locations: Vancouver and Burnaby

    Payment can be made with your credit card via Paypal


  • How Online Therapy via Email Can Help:

  • Collecting thoughts by composing an e-mail brings critical thinking
  • Reflection promotes clarity
  • Writing about your dilemmas brings a therapeutic release in and of itself
  • Writing allows expression of feelings and ideas
  • Writing makes problems tangible and concrete as they become more visible in print
  • Thinking and writing allows for discovery about the problems you are facing
  • Critical thinking generates new ideas and potential solutions when you feel stuck

    What to Expect from the Online Therapist:

    The response to your email will include feedback through comments and questions to help you explore the problems more fully and to promote self-awareness, self-reflection and potential solutions. Questions and comments will be designed to help you express yourself, look at factors that precipitated or perpetuate the problem, how the problem got a grip on your life to become familiar and safe, how the problem has been an attempt to cope, and how to build on your strengths to find new possibilities for the future.

    Therapy online is most suited to men and women who are:

    • seeking personal growth, change or improved emotional well-being
    • needing guidance with life transitions, mid-life crises, career changes or loneliness
    • facing difficult decisions or adjustments
    • dealing with issues related to adoption, blended families, single parenting or stepparenting
    • desiring bereavement support with grief and loss brought about through death, pregnancy losses of miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, relinquishing a baby for adoption, and other losses such as separation or divorce, disability, loss of fertility, loss of a special relationship or loss of a job
    • making decisions around unplanned pregnancies
    • adapting to major family change after separation or divorce or family moves
    • dealing with the challenges facing marital couples, partners or single parents parenting infants, children or teenagers, conflict between parents and teenagers, and contending with the stage of adolescence
    • managing stress of work or other life pressures and demands
    • wanting to improve marital or couple relationships, or family communication within your nuclear, blended or extended family
    • working through issues with your parents, extended family members, siblings or partner's family
    • surviving your illness, health crisis or living with a chronic health condition, a friend's illness or that of a family member such as child, parent or partner
    • caregiving for elderly parents while being a parent to your own children: balancing your needs and the needs of others
    • adjusting to having a baby, child or adolescent with a chronic or life-threatening illness, special needs, a disability or a health condition
    • coping with distress through weight or food issues on the continuum from anorexia, bulimia, or obesity through to eating disturbances, picky or fussy eating
    • living with family members suffering with eating disorders, especially parents who are supporting children, youth or young adults facing anorexia, bulimia or obesity
    • trying to deal with the overwhelming feelings with multiple pressures or challenges in life
    • adjusting to adoption reunion or needing support as adoption triad members search for adoptees, birth siblings, or birthparents, or any issues related to birthparent counseling or the adoption triangle
    Life's problems can interfere with relationships, happiness, home and work life, mental and physical health, and a sense of inner peace. Problems can overwhelm you to the point of feeling stuck, powerless, distressed, angry, sad, anxious, tense, or helpless. E-mail counseling may help you to clarify and articulate your concerns so you can begin to address issues in your life and sort out where to put your energy. It may assist you to regain a feeling of control, trust your decisions, explore potential solutions to problems, reflect on future possibilities, feel support, feel listened to, realize your own strength and resources, and promote a sense of well-being.

    This approach to dealing with problems relies on a written narrative story. The strength of e-mail therapy is that it is written , and this will appeal to some people and not others. Using the written word to express yourself can overcome obstacles for some who live with speech limitations or hearing impairment. This method of ecounseling requires that you are reasonably comfortable with reading and writing which does not appeal to everyone. Some people find it hard to put feelings into written words. Others might be perfectionistic and find that writing down thoughts, ideas and feelings takes an inordinate amount of time because of worry about finding exactly the right words or constructing the sentences perfectly. Grammar and spelling are not essential. It is important to be able to communicate the essence of your experience and needs. The method of counseling you choose to engage in needs to fit with your personality, comfort level and strengths.

    I would encourage you to keep copies of the e-mails you send as well as those you receive. Often times people have a hard time recalling what actually was said in face to face therapy sessions, especially when emotions are intense. E-mail counselling sessions provide you with a permanent account of the written interaction both of what you described and the response. This can then can become similar to writing in your own journal. Writing about problems and feelings in journals is a well utilized therapeutic tool. You may also keep additional notes for your own recollection and reflection.

    With etherapy, you can take as much time as you need composing your email and rework ideas as they develop if you want. You are not bound by a time-limited face to face session to explain the difficulties you are facing. There is no rush. You have time to think carefully. With e-mail, you have the opportunity to compose the e-mail, save it and come back to it later to review before sending. You may find this process helpful for self-reflection.

    Some people like the written aspect of e-mail communication as it takes away any barriers of face to face awkwardness that might arise if you need to describe sensitive or emotional material. There is a sense of anonymity with e-mail. Some people are able to say things through e-mail or voice-mail that they would not feel comfortable saying to someone face to face.

    Overall, online counselling with email is a therapeutic process involving writing rather than face to face meetings. You may find this process helpful, depending upon the type of problems you are facing in your life. E-therapy is one alternative and is not a replacement for traditional face to face psychotherapy. You need to read all the information on this site to evaluate for yourself if it seems appropriate for you.


    Art Therapy Over The Internet

    If you enjoy art as a means of communication and expression, it is possible to scan your artwork and attach it to your email. As a registered art therapist, I find art a wonderful avenue of expression of feelings, exploration of the impact of problems, and way to look at your strengths and potential solutions when you feel stuck with a dilemma, confict or painful experience. I do not interpret your art. I encourage you to explore your own art and find your own meaning in your creations. You might want to consider art therapy over the internet as an addition or as an alternative to your written e-mail counseling session.

    Art therapy is a particularly effective way to work on issues such as grief and loss following separation, divorce, death, pregnancy loss or birth-mother relinquishment. If you do not have the ability to scan and attach art to your e-mail, then I can coach you with your own private art journaling process. You can inquire more about art therapy through the feedback email on this site.

    Art therapy is available face-to-face in Patricia Roles' Vancouver office for individuals residing in Vancouver and the lower mainland. Art therapy is a particulary good way to express yourself, particularly in times of distress when talking may be hard. In art therapy it is the process not the art product that is important. You do not need to be able to be technically good at art to use art in therapy. In fact the less you worry about how the end result looks, the more therapetic and freeing the process can be. The saying is that a picture says a thousand words. Art is a mirror into yourself and can help you learn about yourself as you find your meaning in art images you create. Using lines and colour to make images can help you to understand what you are experiencing, provide a way to express thoughts and feelings, and to work find solutions to defeat the problem you are struggling with. For individuals who enjoy their creative side and have a comfort with the art-making, this medium can add another dimension to therapy. Children and youth tend to be attracted to art therapy rather than talking therapy, however, it is also just as useful for adults.


    Online Counseling Support During Loss and Bereavement

    When you experience loss and grief, online counseling via e-mail is an easily accessible, private way to deal with all types of pain from loss. It can be especially useful for those losses where you may feel shame or guilt that can deter you from seeking face to face help. Those around you may feel that you should be "back to normal" and be past the grief, whereas the grief process takes a lot of time to process and can't be rushed. Each person is an individual and you need to take whatever time is necessary to move through the grief. There are may different types of losses in addition to loss through death that bring a grief reaction. Some types of other losses include birthmothers and birthfathers who have placed infants or children for adoption, misscarriage, stillbirth, loss of fertility, abortion, separation or divorce, loss of job, moving, bankrupcy, or loss of your own good health or the diagnosis or illness of another family member.

    Sometimes you can be experiencing a grief reaction and don't realize that you are coping with loss, perhaps multiple loss such as those that happen with separation and divorce. For instance, loss with marital separation may include not just the loss of the partner, but loss of time with children, change of homes or community, loss of identity, loss of financial resources, loss of contact with partner's extended familiyl and potentially many more. Many times you might not realize the multiple losses that you are facing until you feel overwhelmed.


    Online Support in Adoption Search and Reunion

    Adoption reunion between birthparents and adoptees is a complex situation that involves various losses. Although search and reunion can feel like a positive process, it can evoke unresolved feelings of loss related to the adoption for adoptees and for birthmothers and birthfathers. Adoptive parents may also fear the loss of their adopted children. There are other losses involved in adoption reunion such as unmet expectations and disappointments, searching and finding that the other person does not want to make contact, or finding the individual has passed away. Adoption search and reunion is full of highs and lows, adjustments, new relationships and effects on current family relationships for everyone in the adoption circle. As a reunited birthmother, my experience has helped me to understand the process and to coach others via e-counseling through this personal journey. If you are considering search and reunion, e-therapy may be a helpful resource as many individuals navigate this highly emotional path without much preparation.


    E-therapy for Parents of Children or Youth with Eating Disorders

    As a parent of a child or adolescent with an eating disorder, you need support to help you and your family cope with the impact of the eating disorder on your life. It turns family relationships upside down as the eating disorder has so much power, and you can react in fear with the life-threatening component of anorexia or bulimia and end up bargaining with the eating disorder to keep peace. Sometimes adolescents do not feel ready for professional help, and you are left trying to cope at home. If you do not have access to face to face parental or family counseling, then e-mail therapy
    may be one avenue of support to help you manage during this time of crisis. You can read more about issues for parents in this article: Children and Youth with Eating Disorders,


    Online Counseling for Individuals with Hearing, Visual, Oral or Physical Challenges

    Computers have brought an incredible expansion of opportunities for individuals with a variety of physical and sensory challenges. The internet now brings services, such as counseling, to your own home through email. If you are hard of hearing or hearing impaired, sign language interpretation is no longer a barrier with the internet. The strength of email counseling is that it relies solely on the written word. If you have visual, speech, or physical challenges that limit your access to face to face counseling, email therapy may be open up possibilities for you.




  • CLICK TO BEGIN
    E-COUNSELING SESSION



     


    Original Paintings for Sale by Fibromyalgia Sufferer. All proceeds go to the artist, Christina Kurmis:

    Support a FM Sufferer




    Articles

    Loss and Grief:

    Article written by Patricia Roles on Birthparent Loss and Grief: Birth Parent Loss and Grief:

    Article on Children and Teens Coping with Death by Gary Direnfeld: Coping With Death

    Article of Going through Grief as a Widow by Marie A. O'Neill: How Long Should Grief Last?

    Article of Grief in the Gay and Lesbian Community by Christina Limmer: Grief in a Disenfranchised Community

    Article on Stillborn Grief by Jörg & Mary Barth: Stillborn but Welcome: The Short LIfe of Paul Michael

    Article on Children's Grief by Marcia Breitenbach: Supporting Our Grieving Children To Cope with Katrina and Other Losses

    Article on Living with Abortion by Gary Direnfeld: Loss with Abortion

    Article on Baby Boomers and Grief by Jane Galbraith: Nobody Wants to Talk About It - Baby Boomers Face Grief


    Eating Disorders:

    BC Medical Journal February 2005 issue focused on eating disorders with children and youth, includes article by Patricia Roles about Family Involvement in Treatment BC Medical Journal

    Online Counseling in Eating Disorders Prevention: Prevention of Eating Disorders and Online Counseling

    Article written by Pat Roles and Ron Manley on Family Therapy for Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa: What Works? Family Therapy for Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa

    Article written by Pat Roles on Issues for Parents to Consider in Treatment for Children and Youth with Eating Disorders: Children and Youth with Eating Disorders

    Article written by Pat Roles on Eating Disorders, Signs and Symptoms: Anorexia and Bulimia: Signs and Symptoms

    Article on Eating Disorders by Jacquelyn Ekem: Eating Disorders - Expressing Needs and Wants

    Article on Picky Eaters by Destry Maycock: So You Have A Picky Eater?

    Article on Why Diets Don't Work by Aaron M. Potts: Why Diets Don't Work

    Article on the Pros and Cons of Fad Dieting by Gary Matthews: Fad Diets

    Article on Weight Loss Myths by Gary Matthews: The Truth About Weight Loss Myths

    Article on Giving Up Dieting by Gary Matthews: Winning Tactics for Giving Up the Diet

    Article on Low Fat Diets from New York Times: Low Fat Diet Does Not Cut Health Risks

    Article on Emotional Relationships with Food and Eating Disorders by Lori Radun: Healing Your Emotional Relationship with Food

    Article on Overcoming Binge Eating by Kristin Gerstley: Ten Things To Do Instead of Binge Eating

    Article on a Father's Perspective Dealing with Anorexia by Barry Roche: Close Encounters with Anorexic Annie


    Internet News - Online Counseling: E-therapy

    Article by CanadaComputes.com: Story on E-therapy

    Article on Value of E-counselling as Alternative to Face-to-face Sessions posted at CBC.ca: AA Offers Digital Lifeline to Those Unable to Attend Face-to-face Meetings



    Separation, Divorce and Unhappy Marriages:

    Article on Marriages Facing Possibility of Separation by Gary Direnfeld: Marriages on the Cusp

    Surviving Divorce by Vicki Lansky: Ten Things I've Learned About Divorce

    Article on Emotional Recovery from Divorce by Colin Kennedy: Divorce and Rowing to Emotional Recovery

    Article on Considerations as Women Prepare for Divorce by Tracy Achen: Divorce Considerations

    Divorce and Your Children by Jean Mahserjian: Don't Divorce Your Children

    Article on Coping with Adjustment After Divorce by Olakunbi Korostensky: Divorced and Dejected - 5 Powerful Reasons to be Proud of Yourself

    Article on Effects of Unhappy Marriages from Medical News Today: Unhappy Marriages, Self-Esteem and Health


    Article on Matimonial Property Settlements by Barry Roche: The Do's and Don'ts of Matrimonial Property Disputes

    Article on Divorce Planning by Barry Roche: Top Mistakes Women Make in Divorce Planning and Financial Settlements


    Sexuality:

    Article on the Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Adult Intimacy by Gary Direnfeld: Understanding and Managing The Impact Of Childhood Sexual Abuse On Adult Intimate Life

    Article on Men and Sexuality from Medical News Today: Men In Their 50s Have More Satisfying Sex Lives Than Men In Their 30s

    Mental Health Issues:

    Canadian Mental Health Association Resource: Mind Matters - Free Electronic Newsletter on Mental Health Issues Mental Health Resources and MIND MATTERS E-NEWS


    Mental Health and Behaviour Articles from NY Times: Mental Health and Behaviour

    Mental Health News from Medical News Today UK: Mental Health News

    Self-help Article on Anxiety by Michael Smallwood: Relaxation: A Helpful Tool to Control Anxiety and Panic Attacks


    Article on Relationships by Raun Kaufman: Love MYTHconceptions

    Article on Power of Attitude by Aaron M. Potts: Attitude: The Forgotten Power

    Article on Mental Health Tips by Patricia Roles: Taking Care of Your Mental Health

    Article on Separation Anxiety with Children by K.C. Smith: Separation Anxiety

    Article on Dealing with Suicide Attempts by Anna Allen: When Someone You Love Tries to Hurt Themselves

    Article on Depression During Pregnancy from NY Times: Treatment of Depression During Pregnancy

    Article on Risk Factors for Depression from Medical News Today: Depression

    Article on Traumatized Children and Resilience from Medical News Today: Resilient Children

    Article of Yoga and Stress Reduction by Alden Smith: The Benefit of Yoga - Fight or Flight?


    Sleep Problems:

    Article on Sleep Disorders in Teenagers from Medical News Today UK: Lack of Sleep for Teenagers Today

    Article on Link Between Obesity and Lack of Sleep from Medical News Today UK: Lack of Sleep for Children and Adolescents Links to Obesity

    Article on Differences in Insomnia Between Women and Men from Medical News Today: Insomnia


    Fibromyalgia:

    Information on Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia

    Fibromyalgia Signs and Symptoms: Signs and Symptoms

    Fibromyalgia Treatment: Fibro Treatment

    Online Resources and Support for FM Sufferers: Online Help

    Original Paintings for Sale by Fibro Sufferer: Support a FM Sufferer


    Autism:

    What is Autism? by Lee Berlemann: What is Autism?


    Women's Health:

    Article on Post-partum Depression by Jacqueline Courtiol: Coping with Post Partum Depression

    Visions Journal Issue on Women's Mental Health: Women Issues in Mental Health and Addictions

    Menopause Facts - What Will I Experience? by Barbara Phillip: Facts About Menopause

    Article about Women and Chocolate in Medical News Today: Chocolates Eaten More Often When Visible - Out of Sight, Out of Mouth

    Article about Osteoporosis by Barbara Phillips: Osteoporosis: What Can I Do To Prevent It?


    Parenting:

    Article on Parenting After Separation and Divorce by Gary Direnfeld: How Important is Consistency?

    Article on Parenting Teenagers by Gary Direnfeld: Need Help Parenting Teens?

    Article on Parental Conflict and Effects on Children from Medical News Today: Parenting Conflict Producing Distress for Children


    Caring for Aging Parents - The Sandwich Generation:

    Article on Caregiving Tips for Boomers by Vicki Rackner: Caregiving for Elderly Parents for Baby Boomers

    Article on Caregiver Guilt by Vicki Rackner: Caregiver Guilt

    Article on Caring for Your Elderly Family Member in Hospital by Vicki Rackner: When Your Elderly Loved One is in the Hospital


    Art Therapy

    Article on Art Therapy by Pat Roles: About Art Therapy

    Article on The Power of Art Therapy by Erin K. Brazill: Art Heals: The Power of Art Therapy




    Article Submissions


    You are welcome to submit an original article to be considered for publication on this site. The article needs to be relevant and informative for the readership of this site. Your submission could be on topics such as: online counseling, mental health problems; all types of loss, grief or bereavement including loss during pregnancy and birthparent relinquishment, infertility, death, separation or divorce; eating disorders; adoption searches and reunions; adoption triad issues; family relationships including marital relationships or conflict between parents and teenagers; parenting issues including single parenting and step-parenting; communication; or coping with crises, chronic health conditions or disabilities. If your article is accepted for publication, you will receive a link back to your site at the end of the article including a brief biography of you as the author. Please submit your article as a word file attachment through the feedback email address on this site. The subject line must clearly indicate that this is an article submission, otherwise it will join the spam collection of unopened junk mail.

    Link Exchange: If you are interested in a reciprocal link exchange, the site you suggest must be relevant to this site's content. Please submit your site URL for my consideration for inclusion through email at: Submit Site to Patricia Roles@E-mail Therapy

    Find Out About Paid Advertising on This Site

    Workshops and Presentations

    In addition to offering e-therapy, Patricia Roles offers workshops on a variety of topics including birthparent grief and loss, adoption reunion issues, art therapy from a narrative perspective, art therapy with loss and grief, family art therapy, family therapy via telehealth, online counseling, family therapy and eating disorders with children and youth. You can send inquiries via email at:  Contact Patricia Roles Re: Inquiry About Workshops and Presentations




    Consultation and Clinical Supervision for Professionals

    Supervision and consultation is available to other therapists upon request. This may be an individual one time consultation or regular supervision sessions. Consultation can be in areas of individual or family therapy, online counselling, art therapy or play therapy. Depending upon your location the supervision may be able to take place in your place of employment. Therapists can phone or e-mail to inquire further at:

    604-375-9215 or by email:

    Contact Patricia Roles Re: Inquiry About Clinical Consultation


    Book Review by Patricia Roles
    Book Entitled: Online Counseling - A Handbook for Mental Health Professionals
    Editors: Ron Kraus, Jason Jack and George Stricker

    Online Counseling Handbook for Mental Health Professionals



    Site Map


        
       

    Patricia Roles, MSW, RSW, BCATR

    E-therapy Online and Face-to-face Counselling
    Clinical Consultation and Supervision for Therapists
    4879 Hickory Court
    Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
    604-375-9215
    www.e-mailtherapy.com


    © Patricia Roles, Virtual E-counseling Room, e-mailtherapy.com, Burnaby, BC, Canada

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    spelling variations for birthparents: birth parents, birthparents, birthmothers, birth mothers, birthfathers, birth fathers.