Thursday, July 2, 2009

Online Therapy - Is it For You?

-line therapy (also known as Internet therapy, treatment distance, cyber-therapy or e-therapy) is used to describe the multitude of opportunities, a professional advisor or psychotherapist can work with you over the Internet or telephone. It may consist of emotional support, counseling or mental health of the same professional services customers receive face to face therapy. It could be as short as a matter or an ongoing conversation. It may take the form of e-mail, chat, video or Internet phone (Voice-over-IP).

-line therapy is not the same as traditional face-to-face psychotherapy. There are some people, it is not so good for. However, there are indications that it is very effective for some. An Australian researcher, Gavin Andrews, recently published a study in Australia and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry , which says that Internet-based therapies are as successful as traditional approaches to the treatment of depression.

Also significant is the fact that many more people need treatment than those already received. For many of the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment is still in the way the trust or questions make it difficult to meet someone in person while revealing personal information. Online therapy can be safe or feel like a good first step for those who feel on the lookout in search of help and trust risks. For example, many survivors of sexual abuse report that they feel too frightened to see a therapist in person, at least in the initial phase of their healing. It can be much less frightening for them to receive online therapy from the safety and familiarity of your home.

In examining the possibility of online therapy, it is important to examine the benefits and areas of concern. The following list is not all inclusive, but hopefully you have a starting point.

In the case of online therapy could be a good choice for you?

  • you are struggling with an anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, or other issues, it is difficult to participate in traditional therapy
  • you live in a rural area
  • It is difficult to find therapists with the expertise you are looking for in your neighborhood (or LGBT affirming therapists with expertise in complex trauma could be examples)
  • They are busy, traveling out of town for the work, have a schedule that conflicts with typical office hours available: E-mail therapy would your message at your own pace and return it at any time.
  • You feel concerned about issues of trust, privacy, disclosure, see
  • you have a physical disability or mobility, which is the traditional therapy too difficult
  • you have an easier time writing instead of talking a few questions. This is often the case for the trauma survivor
  • you have never tried therapy and think that this would be an easier way to
  • you want a written record (including e-mail or chat forms of therapy), depending on the needs. This can be especially useful if there are memory problems, such as dissociative amnesia.

What should you do before the start of the online therapy?

  • online therapy is not the best resource for the people in the immediate crisis. Crisis lines, a local walk-in clinic or emergency room can better opportunities. If you or someone else is actively suicidal thoughts, you can 1-800-SUICIDE.
  • -line therapy is still a relatively new field. Make sure that you are looking for an experienced practitioner in the general and the specific risks and benefits.
  • match the form of online therapy on your strengths: If you choose to work with a therapist via e-mail or chat, you must be comfortable writing explicitly, informal, and in some details. If you do not like to write, or if you have more false written statement, video or Internet telephone options would be better.
  • How and in what form of therapy, you must be willing to share your thoughts, feelings, and even for the therapy really works. This may be even more the case if your non-verbal information therapiust not be considered.
  • How comfortable /familiar are you with the technology? The new e-mail, chat or video-conferences have a harder setting.
  • You should have a way with the therapist is not in technology. For example, if your computer crashes in the middle of a session, you have the therapist's phone number?
  • Think about additional privacy /confidentiality issues specific to these formats: other ", with access to your computer or e-mail account (using a computer work is never a good idea), sending e mails accidentally sent to the wrong address, encryption and storage issues.
  • Make sure that the online therapist clearly their mandates, areas of expertise. Ideally, you should be able to verify this, for example through a licensing system board.
  • Possible miscommunications different means of communication. It is hard to read tone in email or chat! Can you be ready to develop or whether it rather as a clarification of the assumption that the worst?

Do not hesitate to contact me with your questions about Online Therapy.

Kathleen Young, Psy.D.



Autor: Dr. Kathleen Young Dr. Kathleen Young
Level: Basic
Dr. Young is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience. She has been in private practice in Chicago, Illinois since 1992. She ... ...

Dr. Young is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience. She has been in private practice in Chicago, Illinois since 1992. Her career focus has been on treating trauma and its aftermath.

She is also an EMDR trained therapist and has completed the Illinois 40-hour Domestic Violence Training.

Dr. Young received her doctorate in clinical psychology (Psy.D.) from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in 1990.

For more information: http://www.drkathleenyoung.com


Added: July 2, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
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