Telephone Counselling

Telephone counselling takes all of that away. It is just a conversation. No screen, no camera, no worrying about eye contact or lighting or whether your internet connection is going to drop out halfway through a sentence. Just your voice and your counsellor's voice.

There is a reason people have always found it easier to say difficult things on the phone. You are not being watched. You can close your eyes, look out of the window, pace around the room, sit in the dark if that is what helps. The absence of visual pressure gives you space to think and speak more freely.

This is not just anecdotal. Research into telephone therapy consistently shows that clients report feeling less self conscious and more willing to disclose difficult material compared to face to face or video sessions. For people who find direct eye contact uncomfortable, or who feel exposed on camera, the phone can actually produce more honest and open conversations.

Some people also find that the slight distance of a phone call makes the content feel more manageable. When you are talking about something painful, not having someone physically in front of you can make it feel less overwhelming. That is not avoidance. It is choosing the format that lets you do the work most effectively.

Telephone sessions work in the same way as any other session. They are 50 minutes, confidential, and follow the same therapeutic process as face to face or online work. I will call you at the agreed time, or you will call me, depending on what we arrange together.

There is no special setup. You just need your phone and somewhere reasonably private. That might be at home, in your car on a break, or anywhere you feel able to talk without being overheard.

A few things that help:

Let anyone in the house know you need to be undisturbed for an hour. You do not need to explain why.

Headphones or earbuds can help if you are concerned about being overheard and they free up your hands if you are someone who thinks better while moving.

Have water nearby. An hour of talking is more than most people do in a normal day and your throat will thank you.

Some people like to sit still. Others walk around the garden or pace their living room. There is no right way to do it. Whatever helps you think clearly is the right approach.

Telephone works particularly well for people who are already comfortable talking about their feelings but find the visual element of video distracting or anxiety inducing. It is also a good option if your internet connection is unreliable, if you do not have a device with a camera, or if you simply prefer the simplicity of a phone call.

It can also work well as a starting point. Some people begin with telephone sessions because it feels like a lower barrier, and then move to video or face to face once they feel more comfortable with the process. Others stay on the phone throughout because it suits them. Both are fine.

People who travel for work often find telephone counselling the most practical option because it does not depend on being in a specific location with a screen and a stable connection. All you need is your phone and some privacy.

Telephone counselling relies entirely on voice. Your counsellor cannot see your facial expressions or body language, and you cannot see theirs. For most people this is not a problem and some find it freeing. But if you are someone who relies heavily on visual cues to feel connected, or if you think you would find it harder to trust someone you cannot see, video or face to face may be a better starting point.

It is also worth being honest with yourself about whether you would find it too easy to disengage on the phone. Some people find that without the visual accountability of a screen or a room, their mind wanders or they hold back. If that sounds like you, a different format might serve you better.

If you are unsure whether telephone counselling is right for you, that is something you can raise in your free first conversation. I can help you think through what would work best based on your situation, your preferences and what you are hoping to get from the sessions.

I offer telephone, online video, face to face and walk and talk sessions. The format matters less than finding one that lets you be honest. Everything else follows from that.