There has been a growing interest in Online Therapy using email, correspondence and live video conferencing using Skype or similar free services. The convenience of this approach for the client is very apparent: The client can take control of the process, paying only for the time that he or she wants to pay for. The client can have his session at a time that is convenient to him, and can take the time to compose his email questions and feedback at his leisure, instead of feeling pressured to perform during a traditional session. Of course, not having to take time off work to drive to a therapist’s office is always a plus. Generally the cost for online sessions is much lower too since the therapist doesn’t have to pay for office space. Generally, it is well recognized that if you make therapy more accessible and more convenient, then people will be more likely to stick with it, and this is always a major factor in the successful outcome of psychotherapy.
What about effectiveness?
Well, in a clinical study published in the Lancet in August, 2009, Online Therapy, via instant messaging, resulted in a significant recovery rate for patients suffering from depression. The treatment method used was Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
In general online therapy works best when clients are offered specific strategies with which they can experiment at home. Techniques such as CBT, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Mindfulness-based Psychotherapy (http://www.mindfulnessmeditationtherapy.com) are particularly appropriate.
The very process of writing down your thoughts in an email is an immensely powerful tool for helping you develop a more objective relationship with emotions, which can be very abstract and difficult to verbalize. This is why journaling has long been encouraged in many schools of psychotherapy. Then taking the bold step of sharing this with another person is also very empowering for most people. Some people are good at doing this face-to-face, but many actually feel intimidated and need more time to formulate the right words, without a therapist pressing them for content.
The online approach can also be good for the therapist, because he or she can take time to design the right strategies to offer the client and not feel pressured to provide a solution on the spot.
Is Online Therapy a substitute for face-to-face sessions?
No, probably not, but it is clearly an excellent addition, and provides an alternative for those who don’t feel comfortable with traditional therapy sessions, or are unable to attend such sessions. It may be particularly useful for those suffering from social anxiety or agoraphobia. One thing is for certain: the internet has become a major part of most people’s lives, and we should develop the extraordinary potential of the World Wide Web for bringing people together to promote healing.
Internet Psychotherapy and Counseling provides a vehicle that will allow many more people to connect and find wise counsel for working with their emotional issues than is possible through in-person sessions alone.
In my work in online counselling, mostly by email, I am always pleased to see how clients become more empowered through the process. Recently, I helped a person in South Africa, who was struggling with anxiety following a recent personal trauma. It was a joy to see his emails in the morning and then take the time to suggest the next exercise to practice to help him resolve his inner pain. We never met in person and probably never will, but nevertheless, I have been able to help heal his inner trauma, and that is immensely satisfying to me as an online therapist as it was to him as an online client.
Peter Strong, PhD is a scientist and Psychotherapist, based in Boulder, Colorado, who specializes in Mindfulness Meditation Therapy and NLP to treat anxiety, depression, phobias, grief, and post-traumatic stress. He specializes in Online Psychotherapy and teaches individuals and couples strategies for overcoming emotional problems. Visit
http://www.mindfulnessmeditationtherapy.com
Email enquiries welcome.
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