E-Counseling

One reflection of the explosion of technology in our lives is the increasing use of technology for delivering counseling and psychotherapy as well as other psychoeducational interventions. An individual can use the Internet to locate a counselor, to gain information about psychological conditions and treatments, to obtain counseling, and to share with others in chat rooms or online support groups. In addition to facilitating the exchange of written or audio content, the Internet can provide individuals with face-to-face contact through the use of video technology.

One of the prime advantages of the Internet in delivering mental health services is that clients who have difficulty obtaining face-to-face contact because of health conditions, remote locations, or other barriers can obtain services that would otherwise not have been available. Examples would be clients living in remote areas where a long drive to obtain clinical services cannot be regularly accomplished; clients whose physical health conditions limit their mobility; clients who live in areas where psychologists, counselors, or other mental health care providers are sparsely distributed; and clients whose psychological condition makes them less likely to seek face-to-face delivery of services but more likely to use the less personal nature of the Internet for chat rooms or support groups. Another advantage of the Internet is that it can be used as an adjunct to regular treatment. An example is that of pain patients who can log on to a Web site where they can enter data about their pain levels, obtain materials about coping strategies they have already been taught, post questions to therapists or other patients, and obtain support between regular treatment sessions.