Help,just a click away

Started by two city-based psychologists and counselors,Niloufer Ebrahim and Chaula Patel,www.onlinecounselling.in is a unique way through which the duo provide professional as well as personal counseling to employees of corporate bodies registered with them. Started in January 2008,currently there are five companies which are registered with them and availing the service.

“Once a company is registered with us,its employees can safely discuss their problems,since security and confidentiality are integral parts of our counseling. They also know that the counseling session will not go on professional record or be shared with their employer,” says Ebrahim,who is also a psychotherapist,facilitator and trainer with the Jehangir Hospital.

Working with the IT and ITES industries has been a forte of Ebrahim and Patel. Both have in-depth knowledge of the concerns that are specific to IT professionals. They have been working individually as consultant psychologists with companies like Mphasis,EDS,HSBC GLT,WNS and EXL to name a few. The idea of starting this one-of-its-kind website in Pune originated in January 2008,when after working regularly with many IT majors in the city,Patel and Ebrahim observed that to be able to reach a larger number of employees,there could not have been a better way than by imparting their service online. Says Patel,“Although currently the five companies registered with us are in the IT sector,we are open to working with other industries as well.”

Since their clients are famous corporate names and their employees hardcore professionals,the counseling and queries are not confined to just discussing personal problems. Elaborates Patel,“There are also individuals who wish to achieve professional growth and thus want to work on issues such as time management,team-building,self-development and delegating tasks. A little guidance not only helps them deal with such issues but also enhances their capability of realising their true potential.”

Irrespective of the city or country you are located in,an employee can avail the counselling service by just logging onto this well-protected website. “Where and when it is necessary,we also offer face-to-face or telephonic counseling,video conferencing and group counselling,” says Ebrahim. From close-to-heart matters such as divorce,romance,extra-marital affairs and sexual orientation — to issues related to career,lifestyle and personality — the counselling can be received on a number of issues. If more and more companies incorporate such services in their HR programs,the overall well-being of their employees can be taken care of on one’s ‘fingertips’,literally.