Can I have therapy over email?

Have you ever felt like speaking your mind is more difficult than it should be? That articulating your thoughts, in front of someone else, feels like a challenge you’d rather avoid? If so, email therapy might be useful for you.

It’s easy to dismiss email therapy as “not quite real therapy.” After all, aren’t you supposed to be sitting in a room, nodding along as a therapist gently asks, “And how does that make you feel?”.

But therapy isn’t about the setting—it’s about the process. And for many, that process is far more effective when writing is involved.

Here are 6 reasons that make email therapy effective:

1. It Gives You Time to Reflect and Express Yourself Clearly

Email therapy offers a space where thoughts can be untangled at their own pace. Have you ever left a conversation thinking, Why did (or didn’t) I say that?  In real-time interactions, we’re constantly navigating immediate responses, social cues, and the pressure to respond at a certain pace. In contrast, writing slows everything down and allows for reflection. You can re-read your own words, refine your thoughts, and express yourself more authentically.

2. Writing Creates Emotional Distance and Clarity

When you write, you create distance from the overwhelming flood of emotion that often clouds verbal communication. You can sit with a feeling, explore it, and shape it into something you can describe. Instead of getting swept up in the pressure to respond right now, you can take your time. And your therapist, in turn, has the space to provide thoughtful, considered responses rather than reacting on the spot.

3. You Control the Pace and Depth of Your Therapy

Traditional forms of therapy might feel daunting. The expectation to speak on demand, to maintain eye contact, to process emotions in real-time—it can all be overwhelming. But email therapy removes those pressures. You decide when to write, how much to share, and when to hit send. The act of writing itself becomes therapeutic; the keyboard turns into a tool for self-exploration rather than just a means of communication.

4. A Written Record Helps You Track Progress

Something very different and empowering about email therapy is that you will have a written record of your therapy sessions. In real-time therapy, conversations vanish into thin air. You might leave a session feeling lighter, but remembering exactly what was said can be difficult. With email therapy, every interaction is documented. You can revisit old emails and see how far you’ve come. You can notice patterns, track growth, and remind yourself of the insights you’ve gained.

5. It’s More Accessible Than Traditional Therapy

Not everyone can make it to in-person sessions. Maybe you live in a rural area, or your schedule doesn’t allow for the travel time. Maybe sitting across from a stranger in a therapy room sounds like too much right now. Email therapy removes barriers—physical, logistical, and emotional—so that more people can access support.

6. It’s Not for Everyone, But It Could Be For You

Some people thrive in face-to-face settings. Some need the immediate back-and-forth of spoken dialogue. And some mental health concerns require real-time intervention that asynchronous communication can’t provide.

But for those who process better through writing, who need time and space to articulate their emotions, or who feel more comfortable expressing themselves behind a screen, email therapy can be incredibly useful.

So, if the idea of therapy appeals to you but the traditional format doesn’t, why not try something different? Writing to a therapist might just be the key to unlocking insights, relief, and healing - one email at a time.

And if you'd like to explore having email therapy with me, get in touch! laura@laurawoodtherapy.co.uk

Warmly,

Laura