The BC College of Social Workers can be contacted to verify registration in the Province of British Columbia.
For the past 8 years this e-counseling practice has specialized in relationship issues, family and couple communication, parenting concerns, bereavement support, birthparent loss with relinquishment, adoption reunion, adoptive parenting, infertility and pregnancy loss, parent-teen conflict, separation, divorce, blended families, coping with illness or disability, and eating disorders. E-mail therapy is also known as e-therapy, online therapy, counseling online, cyber counseling, cyber therapy, psychotherapy online, internet therapy, internet counseling, virtual counseling, e-counseling, or, as it spelled in some countries such as the UK, Canada, Australia or New Zealand: e-counselling.*
E-counseling offers an opportunity for you to consult with a professional as a guide with feedback and support. It may just be a one time consultation or a series of e-mail sessions. Many individuals who choose e-counseling tend to present dilemmas that require brief solution oriented therapy with about 4-6 sessions to fulfill their needs. A smaller number of people seek ongoing sessions as they grapple with longer term issues. It it totally up to you to determine what is helpful.
You may choose online therapy as an alternative for a variety of reasons. Is is convenient and time efficient to sit at your home or office computer and compose an email. It is cost effective, at about half the cost of face to face therapy or counseling. You are in charge of the timing of your e-mail to suit your everyday needs. You can wait until you have some quiet time to write your e-mail, to reflect or to read the response.
Remaining in your own home or office may take away the emotional discomfort some people feel when they meet in person with a therapist to shareproblems. The privacy and anonymity provided by e-mail may be appealing,
dis-inhibiting and comfortable. Anonymity and convenience may reduce some of the barriers to seeking help with personal stories as you be more open when you are at your keyboard in private. The internet also breaks down obstacles for those who have challenges accessing resources due to physical disabilities or communication challenges such as hearing impairment, speech or language difficulties. For various reasons you may confined to your home, and the internet is one source of reaching out for help.
You may live in a remote area where there is little access to qualified professionals for counseling. If you live in a small community, your local health care professionals might already be known to you as friends or co-workers so privacy may be an concern.
Online counseling
can help you cope with life problems that affect men and women of all ages. These can include adjustments to difficult situations such as transitions, changes, loneliness, health conditions, chronic or life threatening illnesses, disability, relationship conflicts, job stresses, mid-life crises, parenting challenges, adoption searches and reunions, unplanned pregnancies, marital problems, stepfamily or blended family issues, family conflict, weight struggles, anorexia, bulimia, disordered eating, or loss and grief following death, adoption relinquishment, pregnancy loss, separation, or divorce. When many changes happen together in clusters, the result may be emotional overload. You may feel overwhelmed, and need some time to reflect and reorganize your life. E-therapy can be one way of finding that feedback to help get you back on track with your life, work through issues and feel less helpless. This can help you
regain focus and control to move forward in your life. You do not need to be alone with your problems.
If you are considering counseling online, take the time to explore all the aspects of this site to fully understand the process. Then you can evaluate if it is right for you.
Is Face-to-face Counseling an Option for You?
Face-to-face consultations are available in the the Lower Mainland in Burnaby and Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Skype video conferencing over the internet via webcams may be available if you are out of town
traveling or live out of the lower mainland. Patricia Roles offers individual, couple, parental and family counselling. Individual art or sandplay therapy sessions are also available in Vancouver. Art and sandplay therapy can be helpful for children, teens, adults and families. More information on art therapy and art therapy sessions at: About Art or Sandtray Therapy Sessions with Pat Roles In-home visits are provided for child interviews required for stepparent adoptions in British Columbia. Some family therapy, couple or parental
counseling sessions may take place in your home. You may inquire about face-to-face counseling or schedule an appointment via email or phone at: 604-375-9215. In Vancouver, appointments options are: Thursday evenings, Saturday and Sunday mornings. The hourly rate for face-to-face counseling is $120 Canadian funds payable by cash, cheque or credit cards via paypal.
What about Adoption Adjustments, Reunion Counseling Services and Stepparent Adoption Child
Interviews?
More information is available about adoption counseling services including: E-therapy or face-to-face counseling support for birthparents' loss and grief; online coaching for adoption triad members in the process of or contemplation of adoption reunion; losses experienced by adoptive parents before choosing adoption; adoptive and blended family adjustments; and stepparent adoption child interviews.
