Computer Hysteria:  eTherapy

      by Berry F. Phillips   May 2006


The Computer Hysteria Column was named with difficulty, because in a word it was weird, by the editor of the Monitor, an award winning 2,000 copy monthly printed publication distributed free to the public in our metroplex at numerous venues by the Computer Club of Oklahoma City.

Several years later, a woman saw me at an open house at the club. She said, "I have wanted to meet you to ask you a question." Do you write those strange articles on nights of the full moon at the witching hour of midnight and drunk?" I laughed and thanked her for the "complement" and explained that an insult would have been to call my column normal!

The printed Monitor eventually was transformed into the eMonitor, an electronic clone. I then became interested in eTherapy, a new concept, possibly because of the previous reaction to my column by one of my readers. Online counseling - eTherapy - is when a professional counselor or psychotherapist talks with you over the Internet, to give you emotional support, mental health advice or some other professional service. It could be one question, or an ongoing conversation, it could be by e-mail, chat, video or even Internet phone.

eTherapy may be a viable alternative source of help when traditional psychotherapy is not accessible. It seems to be effective and private, when conducted by skilled, qualified, ethical professionals. For some people, it may well be the only way they can get help from a professional therapist. eTherapy addresses a major problem uncovered by the Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health (1999) which stated that while one American in five has a diagnosable psychological problem, nearly two-thirds of them never seek treatment. Sometimes managed care and the mental health industry make it difficult for people to get the care they need. When traditional systems fail them, many people are turning to the Internet.

It is important to point out that eTherapy is not a substitute for traditional psychotherapy. If you can visit a therapist in person, you should. If you can't visit a therapist's office, online counseling can be a helpful and an effective alternative. There is general agreement that eTherapy is not appropriate for everyone. You should consider several issues before trying eTherapy. However, ethical, competent, and responsible mental health professionals are helping and healing people everyday on the Internet.

Jim Byrne is a member of the International Society for Mental Health Online (ISMHO) which is a nonprofit organization formed in 1997 to promote the understanding, use and development of online communication, information and technology for the international mental health community.

Mr.Byrne lists several advantages and disadvantages of eTherapy which is not comprehensive but should provide you with a general understanding of the pros and cons of using eTherapy:
 

Berry Phillips is a member of the CCOKC and a regular writer for the CCOKC website and the eMonitor