Coined in terms such as cyber therapy and virtual couches, online counseling is a new venue for therapists and clients alike to connect through the Internet. From sites that list therapists and their credentials, to full on cyber therapy sessions, online counseling services are springing up everywhere. But is this type of counseling right for you? Is it right for anybody? This new development has not been without its fair share of controversy. The best thing to do is to learn as much as possible about online counseling before making any decisions regarding your therapy and course of treatment.
What exactly is online counseling? Most online counseling is offered by licensed mental health professionals. This can include psychiatrists, psychologists, marriage family child counselors, social workers, and others. Online counseling can be anything from on answering one specific question or concern, to ongoing, long term therapy. Sessions are usually conducted through e-mail contact, and a few therapists offer chat room and instant messanging contact. Most therapists will charge for these services, and the fees can vary. The average fee for e-mail contact is $20 to $25 per e-mail "session". Chat sessions tend to cost more. All sessions are confidential, and subject to the same laws and regulations traditional therapy is subject to.
Is it actual therapy? No. But it can definitely be very therapeutic. Compared to traditional methods of therapy (ie: having face to face interaction with a therapist in a clinical or office setting), online counseling is vastly different. A therapist would need this face to face contact in order to do their job properly. Therapists can provide only a certain amount of help via the Internet, certainly not enough to call online counseling actual therapy. Counseling sessions over the Internet are helpful for many people, but it will never completely replace a continuing face to face relationship with a psychotherapist.
Why do therapists offer this service? While online counseling may not be actual therapy, there is no doubt that it is extremely helpful to most anyone who seeks it out. Many people have had their lives changed by such sessions. Online counseling is excellent for people as a stepping stone to obtaining "real" therapy in their lives. Therapists hope that through online counseling, a larger amount of people can be encouraged to get the help they really need.
