The Virtual Shrink

If you're trying to lose weight -- and keep failing -- you may have heard the expression: "It's not what you're eating -- it's what's eating you." Or perhaps you continually stop smoking, only to resume a few months later. Maybe the habit that you want to break is your off-again, on-again, off-again exercise regime.

Many people hesitate to see a therapist or counselor about such issues. They cite the money, or the time, or what they view as the embarrassment.

Well, now there's a new alternative: virtual therapy. And you know it's definitely trendy when it qualifies for its own category in Yahoo!: http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Econom...

But how does it work? Well, the forms of what one might call "virtual shrinkology" differ. Some therapists offer phone counseling, others specialize in e-mails. A few therapists prefer online chat sessions or other "real time" Internet therapy methods.

The best place to start if you're interested in investigating this method of therapy is the ABCs of Internet Therapy Guide. This online directory is a sort of consumer reports of virtual therapists. You'll learn what to watch out for -- and what to seek, and read information about a range of therapists online: http://www.metanoia.org/imhs/

Another site worth visiting is NetPsychology, which explores "the online delivery of mental health services": http://netpsych.com/

And last, but definitely not least, is the American Psychological Association's Web site. They have a special section, called PsychNet, devoted to resources and articles for the public: http://www.apa.org/psychnet/

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