Online relationship counselling or coaching works a little differently from meeting face-to-face in my office. Here's what you need to do to set up an online relationship counselling session:

1. Request an online counselling appointment at a time that suits you.
2. I will call you to briefly discuss your situation and provide some further details about the first session.
3. After speaking, I will confirm your booking via my online appointment scheduler and you’ll receive an email with the online meeting link.
4. My receptionist will then send you the paperwork to be sent back before our first meeting and a couple of things to do before the first session.
5. At the conclusion of our first counselling session, we will discuss your future needs in terms of online counselling or possible referrals that may be needed.

The nature of online work means that there is some information not available to me that I would normally experience in my counselling room.

This doesn't mean that online relationship coaching is any less effective, it just means that we are working under different circumstances.

My experience in working with clients online is that we can still create a dynamic synergy that comes from our interaction and help you move through your relationship blocks.

I may also encourage you to have a pen and paper so you can grab notes about anything important that comes up as we discuss your issue. And sometimes I will give you homework and exercises to work on between our sessions.

The videoconference technology I use has encryption technology, which is the highest form of Internet security commonly available today. Essentially, if someone was able to intercept a message, they would not be able to decipher it because it is sent in a complex code.

As long as you have a computer and a reliable internet connection, you will be able to participate in online counselling. You need only have a very basic knowledge of computing to be able to engage in the session.

Online counselling is not suitable for all couples. If you are in crisis, please contact the 24-hour crisis counselling service LifeLine on 131 114 or 1800-RESPECT.

I do not provide a crisis counselling service and will refer you to LifeLine or another suitable organisation if I believe I am not appropriate for you.

If you are experiencing any of the following, it is unlikely that online counselling is appropriate for you:

• current domestic violence- emotional, physical, or sexual
• serious mood swings from big highs to terrible lows that leave you feeling unstable and emotionally fragile
• any impulse to harm yourself or anybody else
• you have a dependence on drugs and/or alcohol
• any other serious psychiatric illness or mood disorder that is not being well managed by a skilled health professional such as a psychiatrist

Any of these factors may indicate you have a serious mental health issue that needs to be attended to by a number of professionals. I encourage you to seek help from your GP if you are experiencing any of those symptoms.

Very occasionally, our session may be disrupted by a technical problem or internet outage. If this happens and we are unable to restore our connection, I may continue the session on an alternative platform or the phone. If this is not viable, we will reschedule the appointment with no cost to you.