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Ten percent of the population struggles with an issue that could be helped by a counselor at any given time. Some issues are simple and take only one session to get help for. While others are more serious, including obsessive compulsive disorder, other chronic anxiety issues or maybe depression that has lasted for more than a few weeks. Some wait too long to reach out for help. They don’t realize that it’s not an issue of “weakness.” Stigma is still really strong and many avoid seeking online counseling because they have the notion that one must be critically mentally ill.

Many individuals don’t realize they need help until a loved one points it out to them. Others are simply embarrassed to admit they need online counseling. It is interesting to note that a majority of clients who seek online counseling enter into their first counseling experience. Online counseling can take the form exchanging email, IM chats or phone counseling. Video conferencing interestingly isn’t requested very often. It seems people really enjoy the anonymity of online counseling.

In some ways online counseling is better than face-to-face counseling. It offers a high degree of privacy. No one has to know you’re doing it. You do not have to make big schedule changes to travel to and from appointments. And you still receive the wisdom and training of a professional counselor.

The flexibility of online counseling is appealing to many of the individuals who utilize this service. When polled, over 95% of those who have sought online counseling would do so again if the need would arise. Again, it’s fits ‘your’ schedule and ‘priorities’ making it a great service for those in need.

When you use online counseling you are accessing the same level of expertise as if you were sitting with a professional. One cautionary statement - always make sure the counselor you are considering working with has a credentials check available as a link off their site. Each of the states in the US have a licensing body. Make sure your counselor is certified to help you and don’t fear picking up the phone or emailing and asking questions as you need to.

But online counseling has its cons as well. The anonymity that the net offers you could in fact prove to be a liability. Unless the online counseling you undertake is from a credible source, you could be taken for a ride. The so called professional providing you with online counseling could very well be a student out to make some money on the side. While the quality of online counseling you might get from such a person will necessarily not be the best, it could in fact do more harm than good.

Your trust is the most important thing an online counselor can protect. It’s okay to ask him or her how they protect your confidentiality online. I’ve seen well-meaning therapists interact with their online counseling clients in a forum after a phone session. Unless that forum is secure, this could accidentally result in your privacy being violated. On the othe hand, don’t be offended if you invite your counselor to join your Facebook account and they don’t respond. They’re simply protecting you. It’s part of their job.

There are a lot of considerations, but that should not stop you from seeking online counseling. If you were to seek local counseling, face-to-face, you’d do some of the same things recommended in this article to ensure proper fit and correct professional training, right?