Online therapy · Before you begin
Can we work together while you are abroad?
Online therapy across borders needs an individual check. I am based in the UK and consider your physical location, the support you need, privacy and the professional conditions for working in that country before agreeing appointments. Here is what we discuss and what happens if you move.
Start with the guide
Where will you physically be during sessions?
Please tell me the country you will attend from, rather than only your nationality or home address. For couples attending separately, I need this information for both people.
I check whether the proposed work is within my professional scope and the relevant legal and insurance conditions. A page about your city is an invitation to enquire, not a guarantee that every person in that location can be accepted.
If you travel or relocate during therapy, tell me before the next appointment. Continuing may require a fresh check, a pause or help identifying a different service.
Is this format appropriate for what you need?
We discuss your concerns and whether online relational therapy is an appropriate form of support. I may ask about current care, difficulties attending, or any immediate concern about safety.
Some needs call for specialist assessment, a more intensive service or local in-person care. If my service is not appropriate, I will say so. A free consultation cannot provide a full assessment of every clinical need.
Online therapy is not suitable or equally effective for every person and problem. The BACP guide to accessing therapy is a useful starting point when comparing types of support.
Can you speak privately and comfortably?
Space and devices
Consider who can hear you, whether someone may enter and whether a device or account is shared. Headphones can help with incoming sound but do not stop others hearing your voice.
Connection and interruptions
We agree what to do if the connection drops. Please tell me if an appointment would need to happen from a car, workplace or other temporary space so we can discuss suitability first.
Accessibility and processing time
Tell me if notes, pauses, direct questions or another adjustment would help. We discuss what is possible before assuming video is the right format.
Support where you are
Before work begins, we agree relevant contact details and how to seek local help if it becomes necessary. I explain confidentiality and its limits, including how safety concerns are handled.
This practice does not offer emergency response or continuous monitoring between appointments. If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services where you are. Do not wait for a therapy appointment or a written reply.
If a partner monitors your devices or makes it unsafe to speak, tell a suitable support service using a safe method. Joint sessions should not be used to test whether disclosure is safe.
What to include when you enquire
- Your location and availability.Include the country, your time zone and any planned travel relevant to appointments.
- A short description of what you want help with.You do not need to send your full history or sensitive documents with an initial enquiry.
- The format you are considering.Individual sessions, couples work or written counselling may involve different suitability considerations.
The consultation is free and lasts 15–20 minutes. Individual therapy is £70 for 50 minutes. Couples therapy is £100 per couple for 70 minutes. Written counselling is £50 per week for one personal reply through Carepatron on an agreed day. Read fees and process before deciding.
Questions you may have
Does BACP registration automatically let you work in every country?
No. Registration does not remove the need to check the conditions applying to the proposed work and the country where a client is physically located.
Can I continue therapy if I move or travel?
Please tell me before the next appointment. We review the new location and arrangements before deciding whether work can continue. Continuity is not automatic.
Do I need to send my full history before the consultation?
No. Start with your location, availability and a brief description of your concern. We discuss any further information needed through the agreed process.
Can I use weekly written counselling for urgent support?
No. It provides one personal reply on an agreed weekly day after suitability and terms are agreed. It is not live chat, continuous monitoring or emergency support.
