What is instant messaging counselling?

Instant messaging counselling (sometimes called WhatsApp therapy, text counselling, messaging counselling) is an innovative way of having online therapy without the use of a webcam or a microphone. The session takes place in real-time, with you and the counsellor typing to one another.

What is counsellng via messenger?

Counselling via messenger allows for people to communicate with a counsellor without meeting them in person or using video or voice to communicate. Instead, it relies on text – usually via messages that are sent and received in real-time during a session.

Is it secure?

Though I mention WhatsApp counselling, as a way of helping people understand the way it works, it may not be the method that your chosen therapist uses to conduct instant message counselling. Many therapists tend Zoom or Google Meet, Skype or Signal, to communicate. Check that your communications will be encrypted but remember that you will also need to take care of who has access to your device or the transcripts of your sessions.

What are some of the benefits?

In my experience, people who choose instant messaging counselling prefer to express themselves in writing and may already enjoy keeping a blog or a journal.

For many people, counselling can be an intimidating experience. The physical space of the therapist’s office is different than the space the client occupies every day; this difference can make some clients feel isolated or stressed. With counselling via messenger, clients are able to easily access their therapist through a chat window, which eliminates any physical intimidation. This also means that they can meet with their therapist from anywhere with internet access.

Messenger therapy allows clients to have a less intense conversation. However, by avoiding the intensity of this face-to-face contact, you may not be benefitting from the growth and development that can come from attending sessions this way.

What are some of the drawbacks?

One of the challenges of therapy via messenger is that it takes much longer to build and develop a relationship with your therapist. The therapeutic relationship is often cited as one of the most important aspects of therapy (you are more likely to have positive outcomes if you feel the relationship with your therapist is strong, reliable, trustworthy, etc.)

By relying on text, many feel that the nuance of communication is lost between both parties. Though it can also be said that clients have an opportunity to clearly express themselves without their words being misinterpreted.

Who uses instant messaging counselling?

This type of counselling may not appeal to everyone. It tends to be most useful and effective for people who find other forms of counselling restrictive.

Do you have trouble talking to your friends or family about your problems or do you find the intensity of having to explain yourself in the moment overwhelming? If so, counselling via messenger may be for you. Counselling via messenger is when a person talks to a counsellor online via their smartphone or laptop.

It can be suitable for:

• People with busy home lives that may find it difficult to use webcam or voice counselling with complete privacy
• Those who dislike the lack of real-time interaction that occurs with email therapy
• People with mild to moderate concerns
• Individuals who cannot use speech to communicate

Is instant messaging counselling right for me?

If you are struggling to develop relationships with therapists face-to-face or via video online sessions then considering chat-based therapy could be worthwhile.

It’s important to think about this type of therapy as working towards your therapeutic goals. if you find it too hard to open up in person with a therapist, could one of your goals be to work towards having a face-to-face session with your therapist?

Instant messaging counselling isn’t suitable for everyone and tends to be best for people who have mild to moderate concerns, and who can express themselves clearly through writing. Due to sessions typically lasting the same amount of time as a face-to-face session, it also privileges people who can type quickly. Thought the growing prevalence of speech-to-text functionality as standard on computers and smart phones is changing this requirement.

Who provides this service?

William Smith, registered member of the BACP, provides counselling via chat.

Therapy via chat is not very widespread, given that most theories of counselling and psychotherapy suggest that both the therapist and client should be sharing a physical space. The COVID pandemic has challenged this way of thinking, so that more and more therapists are taking an interest in this way of delivering therapy.

If you are looking for therapy via messenger, please contact me, as I may have availability to see new clients.

Photo by Franck