About Online counselling

Is online counselling right for you?

Online counselling is a convenient way of exploring personal issues that concern you wherever you are in the UK. You will need to feel reasonably comfortable using a computer and be aware that sometimes technology can present its own problems!

Need help now?

Online counselling can work well but sometimes there’s no substitute for talking to someone. You can contact THT Direct for information, support and advice about HIV and sexual health.

If you are feeling suicidal or you are experiencing an immediate crisis, please seek help straight away. The Samaritans offer a 24-hour phone and web service (08457 90 90 90). Online counselling is not a crisis service.

How does it work?

Online counselling takes place via live instant messaging (typing), video chat, or audio chat in a secure and encrypted environment.

The sessions last for up to 50 minutes and normally take place weekly at a time you’ve picked from your counsellor’s available slots. After each session we ask you to fill an evaluation as to how it went – we need this information to fund the service.

Privacy

You can find out how Terrence Higgins Trust protects your privacy and confidentiality in general on our Privacy page.

What you talk about in your therapy sessions is treated as confidential. Your details will not be passed on to anyone outside Terrence Higgins Trust without your permission.

There are only a few circumstances when we would consider breaching confidentiality: if you are in danger of hurting yourself or others, or if we’re legally required to do so.

We can give you some advice on how you can make your privacy more secure on your computer too.

The information we collect

Your electronic communications in Online Counselling may be recorded. We use the data you provide specifically to deliver the service. The data we hold is routinely deleted after 12 months. Data is stored in an encrypted, secure server which is password protected.

It’s important that you read the information on this page before you apply – as well as our terms and conditions for the service.

Registration

Once you’ve read through this information, you can register for the service. If you’re not a member of My HIV then you’ll need to join the site first. You’ll have to fill in a registration form and then go through a Life Check which helps us to find out how we can help you.

At the end of the Life Check there’ll be a link to Counselling registration. This gives you the chance to tell us why you are considering online counselling and gives us the opportunity to work out whether online counselling could be beneficial for you.

If you’re already a member of My HIV than you can get on with Counselling registration straight away.

Your online counsellor will then email you to talk about next steps. You will meet with the same online counsellor for the duration of your counselling.