With the internet becoming something that people are accessing nearly every day of their lives, more and more people are going to the internet to find answers and help instead of going to speak with professionals in person. People are becoming busier and it is getting harder to want to leave the house to seek help when they finally have a few minutes to relax at home, besides the fact that many people who believe they might have a problem or a condition are simply too afraid or shy to go in to speak with a therapist or counselor. It can be a difficult thing to do for many; thankfully the internet is fast becoming an answer to this problem.
Online counseling, otherwise known as online therapy, is becoming more popular all the time. It allows the person who is making the inquiries to the online counselor to do so from the comfort of their own home or the corner coffee shop, where they don’t have to worry that other people might find out that they are seeking therapeutic help. Sending an e-mail can allow the person to carefully formulate their questions or requests for the counselor before they send them off. It is the same when they are answering an e-mail from the counselor. The person can take the time to read the e-mail carefully, think about it and then think about what their reply is going to be. Speech seems like a relatively easy task, and in most cases it is, but when trying to reveal what it is that is bothering the person, the person can often have a hard time, especially if they are uncomfortable in the presence of the therapist. Online counseling gets rid of this. The patient is in their own home where they are comfortable and can communicate with the counselor relatively clearly.
The confidentiality that exists between the counselor and the patient still applies to online counseling. In fact, some may argue that it is even more confidential because the chance that someone would see the patient walking into a clinic on Main Street is non-existent. The patient can choose when to communicate over the internet at a convenient set time when they will have little or no chance of being interrupted and they can be free to focus on what the counselor is saying.
Some people might not like the idea of using the internet, though more people are turning to this option all the time, and others might be worried that the communication between them and the therapist can be seen by a third party. In all actuality, the chance of this is highly unlikely. If this worry does exist, a patient can always us a code name. This, however, is not as important as it is for the person to get the answers and help that they need. Online counseling is becoming more popular all the time and more and more people are found to respond positively to it. It may not be for everyone, but online counseling is certainly a comfortable option that many will consider.
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Online counseling? That is pretty cool. I have never heard of it before.
December 3, 2010 - 12:00pm(Link removed by EmpowHER moderator.)
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Hey Alison:
June 5, 2008 - 1:08pmWell, I cannot speak for others, but I agree with you about body language, etc. I offer audio/video counseling and it helps me with these problems. There are a few clients who prefer just text based sessions or email, but I tend to always "get to know them" first. Credibility would be the same for online or offline counseling. It is how you feel about your therapist and yourself. There are good therapists and bad therapists just like any other profession. There is a standard that all should adhere too, but that is not always the case whethe it is f2f or online. thxs for the post.
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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
Hey Tina:
June 3, 2008 - 4:11pmAs far as any therapy goes, it is all about the relationship that you have with your therapist. I learned early on that 90% of therapy is joining. If a therapist makes you feel comfortable then you will have a theraputic relationship no matter where you are. As far as getting to know someone, that can be done via email, telephone or face-to-face, that will be up to you and the therapist.
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Haven't used online counseling myself but definitely understand the allure. If someone is interested in trying online counseling, what do you think is the best way to approach it? Is an initial face-to-face meeting required? Are there some issues that you would recommend face-to-face counseling sessions for over online counseling sessions? Great information. Thank you.
June 3, 2008 - 3:04pmThis Comment