When you think of counselling, do you imagine sitting with someone face-to-face or on a screen? Because if so, there’s another way of working that might just suit your clients – and you – even better.
I’m joined by counsellor Chloe Foster from the Email Counselling Academy to explore the world of email counselling.
It’s a flexible and deeply thoughtful way of working that could be a perfect fit for counsellors who think best in writing, or whose lifestyles don’t always align with back-to-back 50-minute sessions.
Chloe shares their personal journey into this way of working, including how they went from sceptic to advocate after realising how powerful writing can be – not just for their clients, but for their own development as a practitioner.
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What Is Email Counselling?
If you're picturing email counselling as a sterile exchange of text with no warmth or therapeutic depth… think again.
Chloe explains that email counselling is “a therapeutic exchange using the written word,” and not just casually pinging messages back and forth. It’s thoughtful, boundaried, and deeply considered – with both client and counsellor often writing up to a set word count (Chloe uses 500 words each way).
Chloe says "It’s like having a journal – but with someone replying."
Why Some Clients Prefer Email Counselling
For many clients, especially those who are anxious, introverted, or find it hard to express themselves verbally, email counselling can feel safer and more accessible. Chloe shared how clients often open up more quickly in writing, even on sensitive topics:
“People who have a lot of shame and stigma can find it really hard and awkward to talk out loud. But writing things down? That just made sense to me.”
There’s time to reflect, space to process, and freedom from the pressure of being looked at on a screen or in a room.
And some people find eye contact intimidating.
How Counsellors Can Work More Authentically
Many of us do our best thinking in writing. Chloe shared that, as a trainee counsellor, they found journaling helpful. That experience planted the seed for their future work.
Now, she supports other qualified counsellors to develop their skills in offering email-based counselling – helping them build a practice that works for how they communicate best.
Chloe says “Writing just makes sense to me. I can think about how I want to convey something, and I don’t have to scramble for the words in the moment.”
What Happens During Email Counselling?
So how does it actually work? Chloe walks us through the process:
- The client writes their email (usually up to 500 words)
- The counsellor responds with a therapeutic email within an agreed timeframe (typically within two days)
- Both parties get space to reflect, revisit, and craft their thoughts
This structure not only builds in boundaries but also encourages clarity and depth. Chloe even shares that many clients find they need fewer sessions, as they get to the heart of things faster.
They said "I was able to get the support quicker. I said what I needed to say without spending 20 minutes warming up or waffling!"
Who Is Email Counselling For?
Chloe explained that this way of working is ideal for clients who:
- Prefer to write rather than speak
- Need flexibility around when they engage
- Want time to reflect and articulate their thoughts
- Might find live sessions overwhelming, overstimulating, or emotionally unsafe
They also reminded us that it’s not for everyone – but for the right client, it’s transformative.
Chloe said “It suits people who want space to think and don’t want to be put on the spot. Not everybody has access to their feelings in the moment – and that’s okay.”
More Flexibility for Counsellors Too
It’s not just clients who benefit. As Chloe points out, email counselling allows counsellors to structure their time differently – something that can be especially helpful for anyone juggling health conditions, neurodivergence, parenting, or simply not thriving on back-to-back live sessions.
"You can block time when it works for you. You’re not pinned to 3pm on a Wednesday. There’s space to breathe and respond with intention."
But What About Body Language?
A common concern from counsellors is: how do you manage without tone of voice or body language?
Chloe acknowledges this is a valid point, but adds that in many ways, written words reveal just as much. Things like word choice, punctuation, structure, and what’s not said can all provide deep insight.
"People might think they're hiding things, but they are often expressing more than they realise in writing.”
Email Counselling as a Growing Movement
Chloe’s Email Counselling Academy trains qualified counsellors to ethically and effectively offer this service. It’s mapped to BACP’s online therapy competencies and PS quality checked – so it’s not a “lightweight” option. It’s a powerful, professional way of working.
“I get plenty of client inquiries – I just can’t see them all! So I want more trained email counsellors out there to meet that need.”
She’s even created a quiz to help counsellors explore if this way of working could suit them.
Want to Learn More?
You can connect with Chloe on LinkedIn or visit their website at Email Counselling Academy. You’ll find their blog, details about the training, and the quiz: “Is Email Counselling Right for You?”
Whether you’re curious about writing-based counselling or you’ve already been doing something similar without knowing there was a name for it – Chloe’s work will open your eyes to a whole new way of practising.
Final Thoughts
This episode was a brilliant reminder that there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to counselling – for clients or for us as practitioners.
So if email counselling has piqued your interest, go take the quiz, have a read of Chloe’s blog, or reach out to her directly. Who knows? This might just be the thing that makes your practice feel more like you.
Listen to the full episode using the link above or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you found it helpful, please share it with a fellow counsellor who might benefit too.
About Chloe
Chloe Foster (they/she) is the founder and principal tutor at Email Counselling Academy (ECA). They also have a private practice called Sussex Rainbow Counselling, founded in 2016, where they offer email counselling as well as video and phone counselling to clients.
With a first-class degree in Education, Chloe loves teaching and training. Over their counselling career they’ve trained hundreds of counsellors to become more confident working with LGBTQ+ clients through their work with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), Onlinevents, The Counselling Tutor, and several universities/colleges and counselling charities.
Today, having worked as an email counsellor since 2018, Chloe enjoys sharing the skills they’ve honed with fellow counsellors through their specialist training courses in email counselling at ECA which are mapped to BACP competences for OPT and have been awarded quality check status with the NCPS.
Find their E-book — Email Counselling — An introduction for Counsellors:
Also, my sincere apologies to Chloe for any mistakes I made with their pronouns in the recording
