Internet-Based Therapy

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Search Term: Internet

Definition
Internet-based therapy is a form of psychotherapy conducted over the Internet rather than in face-to-face sessions. Therapeutic sessions may be conducted using instant messaging, chat rooms, or e-mail messages. Internet-based therapy is also called on-line therapy or e-therapy.


Description
As the Information Age progresses, more and more services are available over the Internet. We can buy not only books on-line but also electronics, clothes, and even groceries.
There is a demand for psychological services over the Internet. Chatting with one’s therapist on-line is more private than going to an office and waiting in a public waiting room. For those in rural areas where access to a therapist is exceedingly difficult, the Internet can provide a convenient alternative for getting the help that one needs.
There are pros and cons to both sides of the on-line versus face-to-face therapy issue. First, communicating through e-mail, on-line chat, or instant messages has the same drawbacks of any written-only communication: The non-verbal cues such as tone of voice, facial expression, and body language are missing, making interpretation of the message more problematic than in a face-to-face situation. On the other hand, the relative anonymity of on-line interactions make such therapeutic relationships more attractive to those who would hesitate to go into a therapist’s office for fear of being found out by others, fear of embarrassment, or unwillingness or inability to get to the office. In addition, on-line therapy tends to be less expensive than in-office therapy, a consideration for many clients.

Precautions
As with any service provided over the Internet, one must be an informed consumer not only before choosing an e-therapist, but even before deciding to use Internet-based therapy itself. Because Internet-based therapy is an emerging field, there are still many issues to be resolved. Obviously, one must check the professional credentials of a therapist to make sure that he or she is licensed, whether one is choosing a therapist for on-line or in-office therapy. In addition, it is unclear at this time whether it is legal for a therapist licensed in one state to treat a patient in another state. Choosing a therapist in one’s own state makes this issue irrelevant, but requires research.

My Perspective
Yes in some instances if actual tools are needed that a visit personally required, but with technology they way it is virtual meetings are possible with a decent web cam and either a headset, or some type of microphone. Another good reason it eliminates one more car not to be on the road contributing to pollution. This wasn't what exactly what I was hoping for on the subject, but still what they had to say was interesting.
I chose this because my friends kid has a touch of autism and have read through different types of online to help focus, brain growth and self learning all the way down to proper etiquette on the play ground. They even have stuff for everybody to improve hand eye coordination, and stimulating the mind. It used to be though after about 26 the brain stopped growing now studies say with the right stimuli it can promote growth in any age group. Just like working a muscle if you don't use it you loose it.

Related Internet Articles

Works Cited
Internet-Based Therapy, The Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Health. Ed. Laurie J. Fundukian and Jeffrey Wilson. Vol. 1. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2008. p615

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