Online counseling is not new. Other terms for online counseling include etherapy, online therapy, cybertherapy, and Internet counseling. It has been almost 10 years since I first offered advice online. Practitioners worried that online counselors were trying to replace traditional face-to-face psychotherapy. Many psychotherapists now offer counseling online or at least use technology to improve relationships with existing clients.
Wouldn’t it be great to be able to get advice without scheduling hassles or the commute? Many people are finding that engaging in online counseling is easier, more convenient, and more cost-effective. The idea of logging in from home or almost anywhere with the convenience of wireless Internet and a laptop is quite appealing.
So how does online counseling take place? Email, chat, and webcam are the most common delivery methods. Some therapists offer counseling in virtual worlds like Second Life. But mostly, online advice is text-based, which means the usual hear-and-see cues aren’t available. Some describe email therapy as an exchange of letters. Chat therapy is conversational in style and is most easily compared to the process of traditional psychotherapy. With technological advances, webcams offer sharper images than they did a few years ago. Webcams reintroduce the audio and visual components in the process. Any of these delivery methods can be used individually or together.
If you’re interested in online counseling, make sure you choose a therapist who understands the importance of confidentiality and offers an alternative to traditional chat and email. Ideally, your communication should be secure and encrypted, and there are a variety of free encryption options available that are very easy to use. Many therapists who practice online have additional education which ideally indicates a certain level of competency. Therapists who have received additional training will usually list the training on their website. Therapists may choose to become certified as a Distance Licensed Counselor (DCC). This designation suggests a basic level of experience and certification is offered through the Center for Credentialing Education and the National Board of Certified Counselors. Also, you should be able to verify a therapist’s other credentials. At a minimum, expect your therapist to be able to practice independently. In the United States, this is usually indicated by a state license.
Organizations that support professionalism in the field of online counseling include the International Society for Mental Health Online (ISMHO) ismho.org and the American Distance Counseling Association (ADCA) [http://www.adca-online].