| Nurtured Parents = Nurtured Children |
| t.h.e. n.u.r.t.u.r.e.d. p.a.r.e.n.t. |
| Jennifer Pariseau, MS, LMHC P: 509-306-1118 E: jennifer@thenurturedparent.com |
Some of the questions answered on this page:
What is E-Counseling (or Online Counseling)?
What are the benefits of online / phone counseling?
When is online counseling not recommended?
What are the disadvantages and limitations of online counseling?
What is E-Counseling (or Online Counseling)?
What are the benefits of online / phone counseling?
When is online counseling not recommended?
What are the disadvantages and limitations of online counseling?
Do you provide emergency services?
NO! Please call 911 if you think you need emergency mental health services.
You can also call the crisis hotline at 206-461-3222 or Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health at
(509) 925-9861 or (509) 925-4168.
If you are feeling SUICIDAL or HOMICIDAL, you need to get help immediately, please get off of the computer
and call either 911 or the Crisis Hotline. You can also call 1-800-784-2433 from anywhere in the USA.
Another great resource is the Parent Trust Family Helpline at 1-800-932-4673 or go to their website at
http://www.parenttrust.org/.
NO! Please call 911 if you think you need emergency mental health services.
You can also call the crisis hotline at 206-461-3222 or Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health at
(509) 925-9861 or (509) 925-4168.
If you are feeling SUICIDAL or HOMICIDAL, you need to get help immediately, please get off of the computer
and call either 911 or the Crisis Hotline. You can also call 1-800-784-2433 from anywhere in the USA.
Another great resource is the Parent Trust Family Helpline at 1-800-932-4673 or go to their website at
http://www.parenttrust.org/.
What is E-Counseling (or Online Counseling)?
E-Counseling is an ongoing, interactive process of psychological growth and awareness and emotional support
that takes place via email, instant messaging or phone. The term "ongoing" is the most important to note in
describing counseling and especially psychotherapy. It takes time to develop a relationship, whether it is
online or face-to-face.
Levels of online counseling include:
Short, clear answers to specific questions that you may have - answered in one to two emails.
Longer answers to more complex questions - usually involves a short series of communications. I may
recommend further treatment in face-to-face therapy if it is acceptable and accessible.
Ongoing, supportive, and personal growth work - involves a long term relationship via email or phone that is
much like a face-to-face therapy relationship. Please note that e-therapy or e-counseling has some limitations
which are further discussed below.
What are the benefits of online / phone counseling?
1. Easy access to a professional counselor or therapist from home - especially for those in rural areas or who
are homebound (for any reason).
2. Convenience - takes place in your home or wherever you are 24 hours a day 7 days a week; you can send
an email when you need to (even at 3 am) or when you can get time, rather than wait for a scheduled
appointment. If it's by phone or live-chat, you don't have to worry about drive time or traffic.
3. Increased confidentiality and privacy. (as long as encryption and deletion of email is practiced)
4. Flexibility - either you can get quick answers or guidance to problems or you can schedule regular sessions.
5. Because you receive written responses, you can refer back to the emails repeatedly, saving you money in
the long run.
When is online counseling not recommended?
There are some issues which are clearly inappropriate for online work at this time:
1. If you are SUICIDAL, YOU MUST SEEK HELP IMMEDIATELY! YOU SHOULD CALL 911
You can also call 1-800-SUICIDE.
2. Chronic psychiatric illnesses
3. If you need medicine or medical treatment - unless you are receiving it from your doctor or psychiatrist
4. Substance abuse or dependence
What are the disadvantages and limitations of online counseling?
Disadvantages include:
1. Confidentiality could be breached - even though we believe that there are very confidential forms of e-mail
available, it should be noted that on the Internet and in life there are no absolute guarantees of complete
privacy. We cannot be responsible for misaddressed e-mail or e-mail that is illegally "hacked" or intercepted
before reaching The nurtured parent e-mail boxes.
2. Emails could fail to be received (wrong address, blocked or sent to junk mail, server failed). Always contact
us if you have not received a response in the time allotted.
3. Misunderstandings - In face-to-face counseling there are nonverbal cues that we read between each other
during a session (like smiles, frowns, shrugs, crying, laughter, etc). These are not automatically available in
online and phone counseling and this can lead to misunderstandings between client and counselor. Therefore,
we will practice using some methods of describing our nonverbal behavior and clarifying in our communications.
Can I receive several different services from you?
Yes! All services compliment each other and can be developed to best meet your needs as a person, parent
and family. If we discover that one mode of counseling is not working, we can try another one.
How are confidentiality and record keeping handled with online counseling?
Emails and chats are secured and are removed from the computer and filed in a locked cabinet (as is the case
in a face-to-face situation).
What are some resources to further learn about online counseling and therapy?
For further information regarding online counseling, here are some websites to check out:
The ABC's of Internet Therapy
Internet Therapy Clicks for Patients
Clarifying the definition of E-therapy
Still have questions?
Please contact me anytime! 509-306-1118
jennifer@thenurturedparent.com
E-Counseling is an ongoing, interactive process of psychological growth and awareness and emotional support
that takes place via email, instant messaging or phone. The term "ongoing" is the most important to note in
describing counseling and especially psychotherapy. It takes time to develop a relationship, whether it is
online or face-to-face.
Levels of online counseling include:
Short, clear answers to specific questions that you may have - answered in one to two emails.
Longer answers to more complex questions - usually involves a short series of communications. I may
recommend further treatment in face-to-face therapy if it is acceptable and accessible.
Ongoing, supportive, and personal growth work - involves a long term relationship via email or phone that is
much like a face-to-face therapy relationship. Please note that e-therapy or e-counseling has some limitations
which are further discussed below.
What are the benefits of online / phone counseling?
1. Easy access to a professional counselor or therapist from home - especially for those in rural areas or who
are homebound (for any reason).
2. Convenience - takes place in your home or wherever you are 24 hours a day 7 days a week; you can send
an email when you need to (even at 3 am) or when you can get time, rather than wait for a scheduled
appointment. If it's by phone or live-chat, you don't have to worry about drive time or traffic.
3. Increased confidentiality and privacy. (as long as encryption and deletion of email is practiced)
4. Flexibility - either you can get quick answers or guidance to problems or you can schedule regular sessions.
5. Because you receive written responses, you can refer back to the emails repeatedly, saving you money in
the long run.
When is online counseling not recommended?
There are some issues which are clearly inappropriate for online work at this time:
1. If you are SUICIDAL, YOU MUST SEEK HELP IMMEDIATELY! YOU SHOULD CALL 911
You can also call 1-800-SUICIDE.
2. Chronic psychiatric illnesses
3. If you need medicine or medical treatment - unless you are receiving it from your doctor or psychiatrist
4. Substance abuse or dependence
What are the disadvantages and limitations of online counseling?
Disadvantages include:
1. Confidentiality could be breached - even though we believe that there are very confidential forms of e-mail
available, it should be noted that on the Internet and in life there are no absolute guarantees of complete
privacy. We cannot be responsible for misaddressed e-mail or e-mail that is illegally "hacked" or intercepted
before reaching The nurtured parent e-mail boxes.
2. Emails could fail to be received (wrong address, blocked or sent to junk mail, server failed). Always contact
us if you have not received a response in the time allotted.
3. Misunderstandings - In face-to-face counseling there are nonverbal cues that we read between each other
during a session (like smiles, frowns, shrugs, crying, laughter, etc). These are not automatically available in
online and phone counseling and this can lead to misunderstandings between client and counselor. Therefore,
we will practice using some methods of describing our nonverbal behavior and clarifying in our communications.
Can I receive several different services from you?
Yes! All services compliment each other and can be developed to best meet your needs as a person, parent
and family. If we discover that one mode of counseling is not working, we can try another one.
How are confidentiality and record keeping handled with online counseling?
Emails and chats are secured and are removed from the computer and filed in a locked cabinet (as is the case
in a face-to-face situation).
What are some resources to further learn about online counseling and therapy?
For further information regarding online counseling, here are some websites to check out:
The ABC's of Internet Therapy
Internet Therapy Clicks for Patients
Clarifying the definition of E-therapy
Still have questions?
Please contact me anytime! 509-306-1118
jennifer@thenurturedparent.com