I think this is a great idea, but obviously there are some downsides...for both patient and therapist!
I belong to a few online communities, and I must admit, I do feel connected with these people, and feel freer to discuss personal topics (that I might not otherwise discuss in person). This is rewarding, too, as I can jump online at any time of the day or night, and it seems as though there is always someone out there, willing to lend an ear. The downside to this: I don't "know" these people, and I am trusting that they are who they say they are. In a therapy session, at least there would be the acknowledgment of some credentials and licenses.
The downsides to any type of medical or other health care given via internet or phone is that the patient isn't "eye-balled". For instance, it would be difficult for the therapist to diagnose, or even offer advice, on certain symptoms and behaviors without seeing the individual. Nuances of body language are lost; these can arguably be more important than what is verbally said. (We've all heard that communication includes both verbal and NON-verbal; the "what is not said" is sometimes more important: the pause, uncomfortable silence and other body language, including the extreme behaviors of more serious mental illness, like social phobias, or physical symptoms, such as dilated pupils).
I think for the folks who are primarily "well" and are just needing a few "boosters" of therapy (excluding a few types of mental illness)...this could be a great thing! That does bring up a question regarding triage. Just as the medical community must make decisions on how best to care for patients, how does an online therapist triage patients who are candidates for online therapy vs. those that really need to "come in and be seen". And, what about psychiatrists (mental health providers who can prescribe medication)...I assume they need to see the patient face-to-face in order to legally prescribe medication. What if the online counseling patient eventually needs a prescription: do they have to start all over with therapy sessions?
I can see this working best in marriage counseling, for instance. Can you imagine both partners being required to WRITE their grievances, everything from fact to opinion; emotions, feelings, and behaviors, for an online therapist to decipher and offer advice? (I feel sorry for the therapist..ha!). I envision this as a wonderful tool: the act of writing thoughts, feelings, emotions is healing in and of itself...just like journaling is...and many times the re-reading of words can bring about some self awareness. This could also eliminate some of the "he said, she said" stuff, and get down to the real hurts and behaviors that need to be corrected in the marriage. I could see it working!
Lastly, I would hope that online counseling could include the occasional "face-to-face" meeting, to keep everyone in check.
My question is: how can people find an online therapist that is credible (and not just claiming to be?). Is there a governing organization for online counseling, similar to other mental health professionals (such as the American Psychological Association, for example).
Is online counseling viewed as credible in the mental health profession, by most individuals and accredited universities?
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I think this is a great idea, but obviously there are some downsides...for both patient and therapist!
I belong to a few online communities, and I must admit, I do feel connected with these people, and feel freer to discuss personal topics (that I might not otherwise discuss in person). This is rewarding, too, as I can jump online at any time of the day or night, and it seems as though there is always someone out there, willing to lend an ear. The downside to this: I don't "know" these people, and I am trusting that they are who they say they are. In a therapy session, at least there would be the acknowledgment of some credentials and licenses.
The downsides to any type of medical or other health care given via internet or phone is that the patient isn't "eye-balled". For instance, it would be difficult for the therapist to diagnose, or even offer advice, on certain symptoms and behaviors without seeing the individual. Nuances of body language are lost; these can arguably be more important than what is verbally said. (We've all heard that communication includes both verbal and NON-verbal; the "what is not said" is sometimes more important: the pause, uncomfortable silence and other body language, including the extreme behaviors of more serious mental illness, like social phobias, or physical symptoms, such as dilated pupils).
I think for the folks who are primarily "well" and are just needing a few "boosters" of therapy (excluding a few types of mental illness)...this could be a great thing! That does bring up a question regarding triage. Just as the medical community must make decisions on how best to care for patients, how does an online therapist triage patients who are candidates for online therapy vs. those that really need to "come in and be seen". And, what about psychiatrists (mental health providers who can prescribe medication)...I assume they need to see the patient face-to-face in order to legally prescribe medication. What if the online counseling patient eventually needs a prescription: do they have to start all over with therapy sessions?
I can see this working best in marriage counseling, for instance. Can you imagine both partners being required to WRITE their grievances, everything from fact to opinion; emotions, feelings, and behaviors, for an online therapist to decipher and offer advice? (I feel sorry for the therapist..ha!). I envision this as a wonderful tool: the act of writing thoughts, feelings, emotions is healing in and of itself...just like journaling is...and many times the re-reading of words can bring about some self awareness. This could also eliminate some of the "he said, she said" stuff, and get down to the real hurts and behaviors that need to be corrected in the marriage. I could see it working!
Lastly, I would hope that online counseling could include the occasional "face-to-face" meeting, to keep everyone in check.
My question is: how can people find an online therapist that is credible (and not just claiming to be?). Is there a governing organization for online counseling, similar to other mental health professionals (such as the American Psychological Association, for example).
Is online counseling viewed as credible in the mental health profession, by most individuals and accredited universities?
thanks!
June 5, 2008 - 1:00pmThis Comment
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