Abstract: A method of connecting a client to a counselor over a communications network comprises a counselor logging into a counseling service and indicating availability for connection to a client. A client logs into the counseling service and is presented with a list of counselors and the times slots in which they are available. The client selects a counselor from the list of counselors and time slots and schedules a time slot for a session with the counselor. At the scheduled time, the counselor is contacted by the service for connection to the client, and the service establishes a communication connection between the client and the selected counselor.