# Free online counseling?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-online-counseling/737304>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [November 11, 2015, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-online-counseling/737304 "2015-11-11T17:30:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2015, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-online-counseling/737304/1 "2015-11-11T17:30:03Z")

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As I interact more and more with people online, I occasionally find people who really should be talking to a professional and I’m often at a loss as to what to say.

Does anyone know of any free, reputable counseling services that are easily available online?

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**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2015, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-online-counseling/737304/2 "2015-11-11T18:47:07Z")

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Since the OP is looking for advice, let’s move this to IMHO.

Colibri  
General Questions Moderator

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**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2015, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-online-counseling/737304/3 "2015-11-12T08:26:58Z")

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If they’re at risk of suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline runs a free chat staffed by trained volunteers: [http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/LifelineChat.aspx](http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/LifelineChat.aspx)

But otherwise, why would a licensed professional provide their services free over the Internet? They gotta make a living too.

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**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2015, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-online-counseling/737304/4 "2015-11-12T16:43:58Z")

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[ELIZA](http://www.manifestation.com/neurotoys/eliza.php3)? 😉