Confidentiality policy, regular supervision of the therapist’s practice and memberships of professional societies all act as quality assurance for the service you receive.
Adherence is to the ethical standards and good practice guidelines stipulated by the British Psychological Society and British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists.
It is also important that you choose e-mail therapy as the right approach for you
This form of therapy is considered effective for anxiety, mild depression, relationship difficulties, some post-traumatic stress reactions, psychosexual problems, addictions, obsessive-compulsive problems. It may be effective for a range of other as-yet unresearched problems such as chronic fatigue, coping with disability, gay issues and life transitions.
This mode of therapy is not suitable for you if you have serious mental health problems, are feeling suicidal or self-harming or are physically aggressive to other people. These problems require a team of trained workers with greater presence and availability than is possible in e-mail therapy. You should seek advice from your family physician or GP who will be able to direct you.
There are many self-help sites on the Internet which can be used instead of e-mail therapy or in conjunction with it. You will be encouraged to inform yourself of existing research and treatments for your condition/problem.
In the UK, GP surgeries are increasingly offering interactive programmes such as ‘Beating The Blues’ for depression and anxiety, which involve you working on a computer while a nurse is available for assistance should you need it.
- Email-therapy.co.uk is a professional psychological therapy service and requires that fees be paid in advance.