The Power of Email Counselling for Parents: Support @ your finger tips!
Hello my name is Liz, I am a Parent and a Counsellor within schools and private practice. I specialise in supporting parents who have experienced Trauma.
I wanted to make you aware I recently added Email Counselling to the different formats of support I offer. I’m also going to share with you why I am so passionate about the benefits of Email Counselling for Parents.
We know Parenthood can bring so much joy, love and many memorable and rewarding moments. However, there is no handbook and it can also be overwhelming and challenging at times too.
As parents, we all face various hurdles and uncertainties that can leave us seeking a non judgement, listening ear and support.
There are lots of different support options but one of the most flexible and innovative solutions that brings the wisdom of professional counselling right to parents fingertips is - email counselling. Whilst it might feel innovative and new since being more utilised and known about in the past few years due to face to face support being out of action during covid, email counselling has actually been around for a long time.
In this blog, we will explore this modern approach of Email Counselling and how it can empower and enable you to navigate the complexities of raising children, struggles in daily life and manage emotional distress. Along with other numerous advantages such as:
Flexibility
Increased comfort / privacy
time to prioritise and be in control of what you share
providing a potential distance from intensity of emotions or outlet for them.
Accessibility
Ability to keep conversations and gain understanding over time.
Life as a parent can be unbelievably busy, making it difficult to find the time for tradition face-to-face counselling sessions. Email counselling offers a convenient alternative for you allowing the flexibility to express your feelings, thoughts, dreams and fears at a time that works for you. Your voice is front and centre of the support and it can help you feel much more in control , as it gives you the time to be able to really think about what is important for you to share.
Email counselling is convenient and flexible being able to fit around the demands of a busy life. You can create a draft email and add to it during nap time, after the kids are in bed and when the kids are in school for example. You can put thoughts, concerns and questions into the draft email at a pace that feels manageable to you and as you come across things. It also offers you flexibility from choosing the amount of contact you have in a month to the time you have to put the thoughts into worlds before an agreed time of sharing your email with your counsellor.
For some parents, discussing personal matters face-to-face with a counsellor can feel intimidating or uncomfortable. If this is like you then email counselling provides a safe and confidential space for you to express yourself openly, without the pressure of an immidiate response. This form of communication allows you to reflect on your thoughts and emotions ensuring you can delve deeper into your concerns and receive personalised support without any added stress.
For some people putting thoughts into words give a sense of separation and it makes it easier to share the struggles and distress, because it adds a layer of safety and of being able to look at something from a distance.
One of the most significant advantages of email counselling is the opportunity it offers to share and receive thoughtful and considered responses for both you as the parent and the counsellor. Unlike traditional forms of counselling sessions, where time constraints may limit the depth of discussions, email counselling allows you to take time, prioritise and focus on what you want to write and share with the counsellor. Whilst as the counsellor I carefully consider your concerns and craft detailed responses. This thoughtful approach helps to ensure that you receive personalised support tailored to your specific needs.
Unlike in person sessions, email counselling allows you to keep a record of the back and forth conversation with your counsellor. Serving as a valuable resource, enabling you to reflect on progress, revisit insights, and track personal growth whilst navigating the challenges of parenting.
Additionally, this can often feel like it enables a sense of ongoing support, allowing you to feel like you have a continuous connection with your counsellor, fostering a trusting relationship built on familiarity and understanding due to it being highly accessible and flexible.
A lot of counsellors like myself are turning to email counselling to add options for people we are supporting due to how easily it can fit in around other commitments and be used along side more traditional formats of counselling such as face-to-face. For example if you were not able to attend an in person session you could potentially swap to an email session which has a much wider response time. This would allow you to be able to still access your session but meet other commitments as well.
Parenting is hard enough so it is fantastic that email counselling is emerging more and is allowing me to add an option with increased convenance, privacy and specialised expertise enabling you and other parents to access the support needed to navigate the complexities life raising children.
By reaching out for support, you can enhance your parenting strategies, strengthen family dynamics, and cultivate a nurturing environment for yourself and children to thrive.
Take advantage of email counselling and how it could empower you as a parent. Email counselling is just a few finger taps and a click away!
REMEMBER, as parents, we are never alone in this journey, so seek the support you deserve, and embrace email counselling and your trusted ally.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice or psychological support. If you or your child are experiencing severe emotional distress / crisis, and need immediate assistance please contact a qualified healthcare professional, by calling 111 or emergency services depending on circumstances.
