Email counselling is suitable for anyone who is either not comfortable with face to face counselling or who does not have the time or ability to get to a counselling room.

It can also be extremely valuable to people such as carers, parents etc who may struggle to organise respite care or child care.  With email counselling you do it in the comfort of your own home.

Counselling in any form is only successful when the counsellor and client build a good relationship.  So email counselling will only be successful if you are comfortable with relating to people in writing.  Some people find it easier to type their thoughts and feelings, they can be more free and can spend time getting it right.  While others need the immediate responses you get from face to face counselling. 

If you have general life issues and are comfortable communicating via email then give it a try! 

Furthermore email counselling is not suitable for people who have very immediate problems or generally for group or family counselling. 

Counselling of any sort is also generally not considered suitable for people with a diagnosed mental illness.  If you have been diagnosed with a recognised mental illness then you should be seeking the advice of a suitably qualified doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist.  Any counselling you do seek should be done with the full knowledge and approval of your primary practitioner.  If you do seek counselling in spite of the above then please ensure you keep your counsellor fully informed of your illness, what help you have sought in the past, how it effects your day to day life etc.  If you do this then your counsellor will have the best chance possible to help you.