When most people think about therapy, they picture sitting in a room with a counsellor, having a conversation about their struggles. But what if I told you there’s another way to access meaningful therapeutic support that doesn’t involve speaking out loud at all? Email counselling (also known as email therapy or text-based therapy) is a form of therapy that might just be the perfect fit for you.
Email therapy isn’t a new concept for me. Back in the early 2010’s, I spent two years providing email support through the mental health charity SANE and witnessed how useful it could be for people who struggled to call their helpline. That experience inspired me to think outside the box, and it had always been in the back of my mind as an option for therapy once I trained as counsellor. In 2024 I came across some formal training through the Email Counselling Academy, and I leapt at the opportunity. It helped me to refresh my skills to offer this as a more accessible option to my existing private practice.
But email therapy isn’t for everyone, and that’s OK. Let me explain what makes it a unique way of working and help you work out if it could be right for you.
What Is Email Counselling?
Email counselling works quite differently from traditional talking therapy. Rather than meeting at a scheduled time for a live conversation, we exchange structured emails on agreed dates. You send your email on a set day, and I respond thoughtfully after an agreed amount of time (usually two working days). This asynchronous approach means there’s no need to coordinate our schedules for one time slot, and both of us have time to properly reflect on what’s being shared.
The process is still therapeutic and follows the same ethical guidelines as any other form of counselling. Our exchanges remain confidential, and I bring the same level of professional care and training to my written responses as I would in any face-to-face or video call sessions.
Why Email Counselling Can Be Powerful
Time to Process Your Thoughts
One of the biggest advantages of email therapy is the time it gives you to articulate what’s really going on. When you’re sitting in a therapy room, you might feel pressured to fill the silence or struggle to find the right words in the moment. With email counselling, you can take your time. You can draft, revise, and really think about what you want to say. For many people, this leads to deeper self-reflection and more meaningful insights.
Reduced Anxiety and Pressure
If the thought of sitting across from a therapist makes your heart race, you’re not alone. Many people find face-to-face therapy incredibly anxiety-inducing, especially at the start. Email therapy removes that immediate pressure. There’s no eye contact to maintain, no awkward silences, and no feeling of being watched or judged. You can write from the comfort of your own home, in your pyjamas if you like, at a time that feels right for you.
Accessible When Life Gets Complicated
Perhaps you have caring responsibilities that make it impossible to commit to the same time each week. Maybe you work shifts, travel frequently, struggle with transport, or live somewhere remote. Email counselling can fit around the complexities of your life in a way that scheduled appointments simply can’t. You’re not limited by geography or time zones, you just need an internet connection.
A Record of Your Journey
Another unique benefit is that you have a written record of your therapy. You can re-read our conversations, reflect on how your thinking has evolved, and revisit insights when you need them most. Some people find this incredibly valuable for tracking their progress and reinforcing the work they’re doing.
Perfect for Reflective Processors
If you’re someone who processes things better through writing, email therapy could be a great opportunity for transformation. Some of us need time to sit with our feelings and thoughts before we can express them. Writing provides that space. It can help you identify patterns, express things that feel too difficult to say out loud, and develop a deeper understanding of yourself.
When Email Counselling Isn’t Appropriate
As powerful as email therapy can be for some, I need to be honest about its limitations. Email counselling is not suitable if:
- You’re experiencing a mental health crisis or having suicidal thoughts
- You need immediate support or intervention
- You’re dealing with severe or acute mental health symptoms that require more intensive care
- You find writing difficult or struggle with expressing yourself in written form
- You would benefit from the immediate back-and-forth dialogue that live sessions offer
- You’re dealing with complex trauma that requires more immediate therapeutic presence
If you’re in crisis, please refer to my resources page for immediate support options.
Is Email Counselling Right for You?
You might be a good fit for email counselling if:
- You process your feelings better through writing than talking
- You feel anxious or overwhelmed by face-to-face interactions
- Your schedule makes regular appointments difficult or impossible
- You identity as neurodivergent (e.g. ADHD or autism) and find real-time conversations challenging
- You want time to really think about what you’re sharing
- You prefer having a record of your therapy journey to reflect on
- You find it easier to be honest and vulnerable in writing
How We Can Work Together
If you’re curious about email counselling, I’d love to hear from you. We can have an initial conversation (via phone or email) to discuss whether this approach would suit your needs. I currently offer all my therapy services, including email counselling, at £65 per session.
Email therapy has opened up a new way for me to support people who might otherwise struggle to access help. If you’ve been putting off starting therapy because traditional settings feel too daunting, or if life’s circumstances have made regular appointments tricky, perhaps email counselling could be your way in.
Remember, there’s no one “right” way to do therapy. What matters is finding the approach that works for you, in a way that feels manageable and supportive. If you’d like to explore whether email counselling could help you on your journey towards feeling better, please get in touch.
If you’ve found this article helpful, feel free to share it with anyone who might benefit from learning about alternative ways to access therapy.
Pensive Counselling: Essex Therapy 