On-line counselling: A reflection on professional practice

The University of Tasmania has multiple campuses and delivers courses on-line. In 2008 the counselling team began to investigate alternative methods of service delivery in counselling to off-campus students. This article is a reflection on the process of establishing and maintaining online counselling from a practitioner's viewpoint. The article focuses on Asynchronous Email Counselling (AEC), one type of online counselling, in the university context. From client feedback, AEC does not replace face-to-face counselling, but it is a valid alternative, enhancing the (distance) students' experience of university and increasing student retention.