What is a virtual office?  eTalkwithyou is a virtual office comprised of independent counselors in mental health.  Our counselors are all independent contractors and the recommendations and suggestions they give are their own, not reflecting the opinion of the website as a whole.  However the credentials of all counselors on the site have been verified.  Thus eTalkwithyou gives consumers/clients access to a group of experts that can help them with mental health issues via the internet

Does etalkwithyou.com provide therapy?

Etalkwithyou.com is primarily a virtual office that gives clients access to experts in mental health consultation and counseling.  We mainly deal with issues that are of mild - moderate severity and refer clients with mental illness to a traditional therapy office.  However we are a great resource for those individuals who have one-time questions, or only need to check in with a counselor once in a while.  Further Etalkwithyou.com is a great tool for touching base with your current office therapist in between appointments. Lastly it is a great site to speak with an expert about  problem behaviors, concerns, and life's issues.  Therefore Etalkwithyou.com should not take the place of a traditional psychotherapy office experience, but it can supplement traditional therapy, and is beneficial for those who feel their concerns do not require a weekly psychotherapy session in an office.  Did we mention that chatting with an expert on line also saves you travel time and gas money?

Do I need psychotherapy?

Seeking out psychotherapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce or work transition. Many seek the advice of counsel as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.  If you are chatting with a counselor on Etalkwithyou.com and they believe that your needs would be better served in a traditional psychotherapy office setting, they will refer you to a therapy practice, rather than continuing an on-line consultative relationship.

Do I really need therapy?  I can usually handle my problems.

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you are in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.  Speaking with a consultant on Etalkwithyou.com can help you decide if seeing a therapist in a traditional office is right for you.  Further since there is no commitment to Etalkwithyou.com, you can talke to a counselor when life's problems become to overwhelming.

How can Etalkwithyou.com help me?

A number of benefits are available from speaking with a consultant or counselor on Etalkwithyou.com. Counselors can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as anxiety, relationship troubles, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Counselors can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from etalkwithyou.com depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
• Developing skills for improving your relationships
• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
• Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
• Improving communications and listening skills
• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
• Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
• Improved family relations
• Improved parenting skills
• Confidence in dealing with your child's school issues
• Confidence in discipline and handling behavior concerns

What is a session on Etalkwithyou.com like? 

Every counseling or consultant session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for counselors to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes, however scheduling is completely within your control.  You schedule your appointments when it is convenient for you.  Counseling can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the counseling sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For counseling to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking a consultant or counselor are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of our counseling and consultative sessions:

• Compassion, respect and understanding
• Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
• Real strategies for enacting positive change
• Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance
  

How does Etalkwithyou.com work


There are three ways that you can speak with your counselor: by phone, by email, and by chat.  To book an appointment, you must go the the appointment scheduler on this website.  Once you agree to our disclaimer, you will have access to interact with our experts. Read the profile of each of our experts, and when you find a  counselor that you would like to work with, see if they are on-line or available.  If they are on-line and available, your session can begin immediately.  If your preferred counselor is not available you can decide to choose another counselor, or send your preferred counselor an email to set up an appointment.  You will then be transfered to a site that hosts and supports our chat services.  Both sites are completley safe and secure and private.  At some point you will be directed to make a payment to your counselor.  Some counselors will speak with you for a couple of moments for free before charging you for the session. This way they make sure they can handle your particular question or reason for contacting them, before charging you.

Do you accept insurance? How does payment work?

Insurance is not accepted at Etalkwithyou.com.  You are charged only for the time you use with your counselor.  You save money because you only pay for the time you use, rather than a full therapeutic hour, if that is not what you need.  Also you save money on gas and wear and tear on your car  due to transportation to a traditional office for psychotherapy.  Different therapist charge different rates.  Please look through our profile of experts to see which rates apply to which therapist.  You decide how long you need to talk and how often..

Is therapy confidential?

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and counselor or consultant. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.

However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

• Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.