Going Online
I am still offering in-person appointments, but from May 2023, my practice will be fully online and accessible from anywhere in Ireland. Zoom usually, but we can use Skype or WhatsApp or phone – whatever works best for you. Book a single session, or come for a series of sessions spread out in whatever way works best for you.
Does online counselling work?
Studies show that online counselling is just as effective as face-to-face therapy. There are many advantages: It’s easily accessible – wherever you are in the world, just turn on your computer, tablet or smartphone to access me online. If you are in Ireland, a simple phone call can work just as well. It can save you precious time and energy and people often find it less intimidating to call from a familiar location. These can be significant factors in the healing process.
What are the benefits of telephone / online counselling?
- It’s ideal if you are housebound for any reason whether that’s because of disability, or caring for small children or elderly parents, and have no support system to allow you spend time away from home.
- You can access the support from the comfort and convenience of your own home, car or office so maximising your privacy
- If you live in a rural area, online counselling removes the geographical barrier which may exist – or save a long drive to the nearest town
- I can email you all the information handouts and relaxation audios that I would normally give out in a face to face session.
How do the video calls work?
Some people use WhatsApp, others prefer Zoom or Skype – either using a mobile phone or tablet/laptop. You don’t need to have downloaded Zoom – I can simply send you a link that you click on to start the session. Skype is free and can be downloaded onto laptops, desktops, tablets and smart phones.
What if my Internet connection isn’t good or I don’t use Zoom/Skype/WhatsApp?
Some clients may prefer telephone counselling over other forms. This can be due to problems with internet connection or simply that you are more at ease with telephone counselling sessions instead of video sessions. For these reasons I also offer telephone counselling to clients in Ireland.
What do my clients say?
“It was amazing how an hour’s call could help me to see things totally differently. I was getting a lot out of the webinars but there were some things, like my eating disorder, that I really needed extra help with. Alison has a lovely personality – she’s very warm, very real and can be funny – we did a lot of laughing in our sessions. I felt that she could truly identify with what I was saying. I always felt very safe and able to say whatever I needed to without feeling judged.”
“I had thought that my abusive childhood would always haunt me but Alison provided a safe place for me to unravel the mess of emotions that had built up over the years. I wasn’t sure about counselling using Zoom especially talking about trauma. But Alison was able to create a really safe space- it felt like she was there in the room with me.”
“I was able to quickly make links between problems in my life today, in my relationships and at work, with what I’d experienced growing up with an alcoholic dad. When I started working with Alison I was drinking too much and it was affecting my job and my family but I couldn’t seem to stay off the drink for long. Alison was able to break things down into chunks and helped me to set goals. I haven’t had a drink now for 6 months. Her way of helping you see the positive things I’d done helped me to be less hard on myself. I thought if she believed in me, then I could believe in me too.”
“When I was growing up, I had some traumatic experiences and it led to a whole lifetime of anxiety and depression. I felt lonely and frightened and in the end I couldn’t even leave my house to go to counselling. I began to notice changes almost immediately upon beginning to work with Alison. Today I feel more grounded and solid in my body and I’ve cut my medication right down. I’m looking forward to continuing this work and see how far it can take me.”
Book a session today!Thinking about online or telephone counselling?
If you would like to have a chat about whether either online or telephone counselling are for you, call Alison Winfield, Mindfully Well Counselling Cork on 087 9934541 o r drop me an email at ajwinfield1@gmail.com