What type of services are available?
The Online Counselling Service provides 24 hour, Counselling, Psychotherapy and Personal Development Coaching. These services are available to individuals, couples, families and groups via Email, Instant chat, VoIP and Telephone.

What is Online Counselling?
Online Counselling also known as e-Therapy or Cyber Counselling is an ideal way to discuss life’s challenges, personal concerns and emotional problems. It allows you to access appropriate therapy without the inconvenience of travelling to where your Counsellor is located. The internet allows the use of secure Email, Instant chat and VoIP to provide effective Online Counselling.

What is Online Psychotherapy?
Online Psychotherapy is similar to Online Counselling, the two overlap, although Psychotherapy is more long term based. It focuses more on gaining insight into chronic mental, behavioural and emotional problems. It also addresses the client's thought processes and way of being in the world.

What is Telephone Counselling and Telephone Psychotherapy?
Counselling and Psychotherapy via telephone is just like having a face-to-face sessions or online sessions, except you will be talking to a qualified Counsellor and Psychotherapist over the telephone.

What is Personal Development Coaching?
Personal Development Coaching focuses on love, life, careers, work and relationships. It helps you to break down your goals into achievable stages. You will have your very own personal support system to cheer you on and point out your strengths. Personal Development Coaching provides you with powerful life changing skills to develop and maintain a highly enriched personal, social and successful working environment.

What issues do you provide support for?
Support is provided for a wide range of issues.

How old do I have to be to use this service?
You must be 18 and over to use any of our services. You must also read our Terms and Conditions, as well as our Privacy Policy before using this service.

I am a student, can I use this service?
Yes, students over the age of 18 may use this service. Students click here.

How many sessions should I book? - According to therapeutic guidelines and good practise, Counselling is most beneficial with a minimum of 6 - 12 sessions. To take advantage of this you may initially prefer to book 6 - 9 discounted sessions and save 10% - 15%. However some clients may require mid term support which lasts for 3 months - 1 year or long term psychotherapeutic support for up to 2 years.

I am in another country can I receive Counselling, Psychotherapy or Coaching?
The Online Counselling Service provides 24 hour worldwide online and telephone support.

What do I need to have to access Online Counselling, Psychotherapy and Coaching?
In order to use the service you will need an email address and access to the internet.

How do I receive Counselling, Psychotherapy or Coaching?
You have the choice of using Instant Chat, VoIP - Voice chat over the internet, Email or Telephone services.

What are the benefits of using Telephone, Instant chat Email or VoIP sessions?

Instant chat is in 'real time' live communication allowing you to interact and respond immediately.

• You can type a question or comment and receive a response straight away.

• You can also save a copy of your chat session to read and carefully think about the issues covered during the chat session.

• This service is also beneficial to couples, families and groups. (Via group chat)

Email provides you with the time to consider your situation and put your feelings and thoughts into words, which can be very therapeutic.

• It allows the Online Counsellor the time to carefully consider your problem and the issues you have raised, providing you with a carefully considered response. You also have a written record of the response and you can re-read and carefully consider that response.

• There is no pressure on you to respond to any question or suggestion as there is in face to face counselling.

Telephone and VoIP sessions allow you to talk frankly and openly.

• It allows you to express yourself verbally rather than through written word.

• You hear the voice of your Counsellor; this can be very calming in times of distress.

• You do not have to type.

• This service is also beneficial to couples, families and groups.

How do I receive Telephone Counselling, Psychotherapy or Coaching?
To access this service you will need an active landline, mobile or cellular phone number. You have the option to call us or we can call you; this is the more affordable option as the Online Counselling Service will incur all of the calling charges. Please select the option that suits you, The Online Counselling Service aims to fully accommodate your needs.

If you opt to receive a call:
Please contact us and provide the telephone number you wish to be contacted on and the approximate time/date that you would like to have your session. Also please let us know the number of people taking part in the session. You will then receive an email response with full arrangements.

If you opt to call us:
After making your payment please contact us with an approximate time/date to receive your telephone session and the number of people taking part. Please include details of what you wish to talk about. You will receive a confirmation email and a contact number, you will then be able to call us for your pre-arranged session.

Confidentiality is an integral part of our service.

• All telephone calls remain strictly confidential.

• You will only be contacted by telephone at pre-booked times.

• Your telephone number will never be shared with anyone.

• You will never be contacted by phone at any time other than for pre arranged sessions.

What are the advantages of Telephone and Online Services?

• You have the option to remain anonymous.

• You may be housebound for some reason due to disability, or maybe you are caring for small children/elderly parents, and have no support system to enable you to spend time away from home.

• The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• It’s affordable, private, discreet and available worldwide.

• It can be less intimidating and there is no stigma attached.

• Perhaps you are very busy, work long hours, or travel away frequently and just can't commit yourself to regular face-to-face appointment.

• If you relocate or visit another country you can still access the service.

• If you have a hearing impairment, instant chat and email counselling saves the need to seek an interpreter, it may also be useful if you or the counsellor does not use sign language.

• It is possible that you are worried about seeing a Counsellor or Psychotherapist face-to-face. You may have confidence issues, or perhaps be put off by the thought of ringing for an appointment and having to wait longer than desired.

How many sessions should I book?
This is entirely up to you and may be determined by your budget, however according to therapeutic guidelines and good practise Counselling is most beneficial with a minimum of 6 - 12 sessions. To take advantage of this you may initially prefer to book 7 discounted sessions, you will save 15% and you will have an initial 50 min consultation as well as 6 other sessions. However some clients may require less and many clients require long term support of 13 plus sessions and as and when required thereafter.

What times are sessions available?
The Online Counselling Service is available for bookings or emergency sessions 24 hours a day.

Can I use the service anonymously?
Yes, you may supply your email address or telephone number and use a nickname or another name of your choice.

How long do Counselling and Coaching Sessions last?
Instant chat, Voice chat and Telephone sessions last for 50 minutes.
Emails counselling and coaching is charged per 1000 words.

How much does it cost?
The Online Counselling provides competitive rates. Online and Telephone Counselling, Psychotherapy and Coaching support for individuals ranges from £20 - £40. Online Counselling and Telephone support for couples and groups ranges from £25 - £45. If you are using the service from another country all payments will be converted into your own currency.

How are payments made?
All payments are made via the secure payment method Paypal, you do not have to have a Paypal account to make a payment. Alternatively you may contact The Online Counselling Service to arrange to make a direct deposit, online or telephone banking transfer.

Do you offer any discounts?
The Online Counselling Service is currently offering huge discounts of up to 15% off package services.

If I purchase an Online or Telephone Support package service will it expire?
Once purchased, package service bundles are valid for 60 days, you are free to use them at any time within the 60 day period. Please be advised that discounted offers are for a limited time only.

I want to book a session, how do I do that?
To book a session, choose whether you would like the Email service, Telephone, Instant chat or Voice chat service.
Then select whether you want one session or to take advantage of the package services which offer huge discounts. When you have made your selection, click on the appropriate Paypal button and follow the necessary steps.

• For the Email service, simply email your problem to our secure email address  faith@onlinecounsellingservice.co.uk after you have made your payment. The Counsellor will reply as soon as possible.

• For both the Instant chat and VoIP service, email your Messenger or Skype ID, with a preferred time or/and date that you will be available for your session. The Counsellor will then reply as soon as possible with confirmation of your booking.

• For the Telephone service, email the telephone number you wish to be contacted on with an approximate time frame, or an approximate time that you would like to call us. We will then contact you via email as soon as possible to arrange a convenient time to talk. - We are happy to incur the calling charges. You will then be contacted via email as soon as possible to confirm the time for your telephone session. If you prefer to call us we can provide you with the telephone counselllng telephone number after you have made your booking.

Can I make a payment after a session?
All payments are to be made before sessions begins. Please feel free to contact The Online Counselling Service for any inquiries.

Will my details remain confidential?
All details and communications will remain confidential between us and all records will be destroyed at the end of our work together. The only circumstance where confidentiality may be broken is where it has been indicated that there is a risk of harm to the client or someone else. The Online Counselling Service is then required by ethics to seek advice and guidance from other professionals. The Online Counselling Service would of course try to discuss this beforehand with the client to obtain your assent.

What happens if i need to cancel or reschedule an appointment?
It is very important and a matter of mutual respect that you keep your appointments. If for any reason you need to cancel/reschedule an appointment you will need to provide us with at least 6 hours notice. In an emergency situation we can accept rescheduling of appointments if you provide us with notice prior to your session time.

All clients need to understand from the outset that the time you book is yours and we are unable to fit another client into your appointment slot at short notice. Being unavailable for an appointment will incur the full fee for the session you have booked. Sessions start on time, if you will be late contact your Counsellor before your session time, if you have not contacted your Counsellor and are more than 10 mins late you will incur the full fee for the session.

Do you provide refunds?
All payments are final, we do not provide refunds, however you may switch between online or telephone services.

Are inquiry emails free?
Yes, all inquiry emails are free and very much welcomed.

"The Online Counselling Service, Your Pathway to Personal Freedom"