This article introduces the Major Contribution, which focuses on online counseling. Several acronyms and terms are presented to familiarize the reader with distance-communication technology, including a definition of online counseling. The authors show how counseling psychology provides a framework for specific questions related to the theory, research, and practice of online counseling. In addition, they discuss counseling psychology’s emphasis on the scientist-practitioner model, history of process and outcome research, and unifying themes to provide a context for the succeeding articles on the research and practice of online counseling.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Albee, G. W. (2000). Commentary on prevention and counseling psychology. The Counseling Psychologist, 28, 845-853.
2.
American Psychological Association. (1952). Recommended standards for training counseling psychologists at the doctorate level. American Psychologist, 7, 175-181.
3.
Anderson, P., Jacobs, C., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2004). Computer-supported cognitive behavioral treatment of anxiety disorders. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 60, 253-267.
4.
Atkinson, D. R., & Lowe, S. M. (1995). The role of ethnicity, cultural knowledge, and conventional techniques in counseling and psychotherapy. In J. G. Ponterotto, J. M. Casas, L. A. Suzuki, & C. M. Alexander (Eds.), Handbook of multicultural counseling (pp. 387-413). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
5.
Barak, A., & Lacrosse, M. B. (1975). Multidimensional perception of counselor behavior. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 22, 471-476.
6.
Beck, J. S. (1996). Cognitive therapy of personality disorders. In P. M. Salkovkis (Ed.), Frontiers of cognitive therapy (pp. 165-181). New York: Guilford.
7.
Bedrosian, R. C. (2004, July). Helping clinicians make interactive self-help programs part of treatment. In R. C. Bedrosian (Chair), Integrating computer applications with everyday clinical practice. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Honolulu, Hawaii.
8.
Berger, T. (2004). Computer-based technological applications in psychotherapy training. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 60, 301-315.
9.
Beutler, L. E., & Harwood, T. M. (2004). Virtual reality in psychotherapy training. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 60, 317-330.
10.
Bloom, J. (1998). The ethical practice of webcounseling. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 26, 53-60.
11.
Brammer, L. M., & Abrego, P. J. (1981). Intervention strategies for coping with transitions. The Counseling Psychologist, 9, 19-36.
12.
Brammer, L., Alcorn, J., Birk, J., Gazda, G., Hurst, J., LaFromboise, T., et al. (1988). Organizational and political issues in counseling psychology: Recommendations for change. The Counseling Psychologist, 16, 407-422.
13.
Brown, F. W. (1998). Rural telepsychiatry. Psychiatric Services, 49, 963-964.
14.
Butcher, J. N., Perry, J., & Hahn, J. (2004). Computers in clinical assessment: Historical developments, present status, and future challenges. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 60, 331-345.
15.
Caspar, F. (2004). Technological developments and applications in clinical psychotherapy: Introduction. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 60, 221-238.
16.
Cavanagh, K., & Shapiro, D. A. (2004). Computer treatment for common mental health problems. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 60, 239-251.
17.
Chang, T., Yeh, C. J., & Krumboltz, J. D. (2001). Process and outcome evaluation of an on-line support group for Asian American male college students. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 48, 319-329.
18.
Chwalisz, K. (2003). Evidence-based practice: A framework for twenty-first-century scientist-practitioner training. The Counseling Psychologist, 31, 497-528.
19.
Corrigan, J. D., Dell, D. M., Lewis, K. N., & Schmidt, L. D. (1980). Counseling as a social influence process: A review. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 27, 395-441.
20.
Coyne, R. K. (2000). Prevention in counseling psychology: At long last, has the time now come?The Counseling Psychologist, 28, 838-844.
21.
Day, S. X. (2004). Theory and design in counseling and psychotherapy. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
22.
Elliott, R. (1985). Helpful and nonhelpful events in brief counseling interviews: An empirical taxonomy. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 32, 307-322.
23.
Erikson, E. H. (1959). Identity and the life cycle: Selected papers. Psychological Issues, 1, 1-171.
24.
Fenichel, M. A. (2004). Online behavior, communication, and experience. In R. Kraus, J. Zack, & G. Stricker (Eds.), Online counseling: A handbook for mental health professionals (pp. 4-13). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
25.
Finfgeld, D. L. (1999). Psychotherapy in cyberspace. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 5, 105-110.
26.
Gelso, C. J., & Fretz, B. R. (2000). Counseling psychology (2nd ed.). Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace.
27.
Gelso, C. J., & Lent, R. W. (2000). Scientific training and scholarly productivity: The person, the training environment, and their interaction. In S. D. Brown & R. W. Lent (Eds.), Handbook of counseling psychology (3rd ed., pp. 109-139). New York: John Wiley.
28.
Glueckauf, R. L., Fritz, S. P., Ecklund-Johnson, E. P., Liss, H. J., Dages, P., & Carney, P. (2002). Videoconferencing-based family counseling for rural teenagers with epilepsy: Phase 1 findings. Rehabilitation Psychology, 47, 49-72.
29.
Greenberger, D., & Padesky, C. A. (1995). Mind over mood: A cognitive therapy treatment manual for clients. New York: Guilford.
30.
Griffiths, M. (2001). Online therapy: A cause for concern?Psychologist, 14, 244-248.
31.
Hage, S. M. (2003). Reaffirming the unique identity of counseling psychology: Opting for the “road less traveled by.”The Counseling Psychologist, 31, 555-563.
32.
Harris Interactive. (2002). Cyberchondriacs continue to grow in America. Health Care News, 2, 1-2.
33.
Haynes, S. N., Lemsky, C., & Sexton-Radek, K. (1987). The scientist-practitioner model in clinical psychology: Suggestion for implementing an alternative model. In J. R. McNamara & M. A. Appel (Eds.), Critical issues, developments, and trends in professional psychology (Vol. 3, pp. 1-29). New York: Praeger.
34.
Hesketh, B. (2000). Prevention and development in the workplace. In S. D. Brown & R. W. Lent (Eds.), Handbook of counseling psychology (3rded., pp.471-498). New York: John Wiley.
35.
Hill, C. E., Carter, J. A., & O’Farrell, M. K. (1983). A case study of the process and outcome of time-limited counseling. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 30, 3-18.
36.
Hill, C. E., Nutt, E. A., & Jackson, S. (1994). Trends in psychotherapy process research: Samples, measures, researchers, and classic publications. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 41, 364-377.
37.
Hoffman, D. L., Novak, T. P., & Schlosser, A. (2000). The evolution of the digital divide: How gaps in Internet access may impact electronic commerce. Journal of Computer Mediated Communication, 5, 233-245.
38.
Huang, M. P., & Alessi, N. E. (1996). The Internet and the future of psychiatry. American Journal of Psychiatry, 153, 861-869.
39.
Ivey, A. E., & Collins, N. M. (2003). Social justice: A long-term challenge for counseling psychology. The Counseling Psychologist, 31, 290-298.
40.
Landau, B. M. (2001). Psychotherapy online in 2001: For psychotherapists new to the Internet. Journal of Mental Imagery, 25, 65-82.
41.
Magaletta, P. R., Fagan, T. J., & Peyrot, M. F. (2000). Telehealth in the Federal Bureau of Prisons: Inmates’ perceptions. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 31, 497-502.
42.
Mallen, M. J., Day, S. X., & Green, M. A. (2003). Online versus face-to-face conversations: An examination of relational and discourse variables. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 40, 155-163.
43.
Manhal-Baugus, M. (2001). E-therapy: Practical, ethical, and legal issues. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 4, 551-563.
44.
Murphy, L. J., & Mitchell, D. L. (1998). When writing helps to heal: E-mail as therapy. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 26, 21-32.
45.
Norcross, J. C., Hedges, M., & Prochaska, J. O. (2002). The face of 2010: A delphi poll on the future of psychotherapy. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 3, 316-322.
46.
Norris, L., Shatkin, L., & Katz, M. R. (1991). SIGI PLUS and Project LEARN: A retrospective. Journal of Career Development, 18, 61-72.
47.
O’Byrne, K. K., Brammer, S. K., Davidson, M. M., & Poston, W. S. C. (2002). Primary prevention in counseling psychology: Back to the future. The Counseling Psychologist, 30, 330-344.
48.
Oliver, P., Marwell, G., & Teixeira, R. (1985). A theory of the critical mass: Interdependence, group heterogeneity, and the production of collective action. American Journal of Sociology, 91, 522-556.
49.
Pearson, Q. M. (2003). Breaking the silence in the counselor education classroom: A training seminar on counseling sexual minority clients. Journal of Counseling & Development, 81, 292-300.
50.
Percevic, R., Lambert, M. J., & Kordy, H. (2004). Computer-supported monitoring of patient treatment response. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 60, 285-299.
51.
Piaget, J. (1952). The origins of intelligence in children. Oxford, UK: International Universities Press.
52.
Pomerantz, J. M. (2002). Clinical responsibility and e-therapy. Drug Benefit Trends, 14, 29-30.
53.
Ponterotto, J. G., Casas, J. M., Suzuki, L. A., & Alexander, C. M. (Eds.). (1995). Handbook of multicultural counseling. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
54.
Ponterotto, J. G., Fuertes, J. N., & Chen, E. C. (2000). Models of multicultural counseling. In S. D. Brown & R. W. Lent (Eds.), Handbook of counseling psychology (3rded., pp. 639-669). New York: John Wiley.
55.
Prilleltensky, I., & Prilleltensky, O. (2003). Synergies for wellness and liberation in counseling psychology. The Counseling Psychologist, 31, 273-281.
56.
Rayman, J. R., & Harris-Bowlsbey, J. (1977). DISCOVER: A model for a systematic career guidance program. Vocational Guidance Quarterly, 26, 3-12.
57.
Rochlen, A. B., Zack, J. S., & Speyer, W. (2004). Online therapy: Review of relevant definitions, debates, and current empirical support. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 60, 269-283.
58.
Romano, J. L., & Hage, S. M. (2000). Prevention and counseling psychology: Revitalizing commitments for the 21st century. The Counseling Psychologist, 28, 733-763.
59.
Sampson, J. P., Kolodinsky, R. W., & Greeno, B. P. (1997). Counseling on the information highway: Future possibilities and potential problems. Journal of Counseling & Development, 75, 203-212.
60.
Schiano, D. J. (1997). Convergent methodologies in cyber-psychology: A case study. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments & Computers, 29, 270-273.
61.
Schlossberg, N. K. (1981). A model for analyzing human adaptation to transition. The Counseling Psychologist, 9, 2-18.
62.
Shapiro, D., & Schulman, C. (1996). Ethical and legal issues in e-mail therapy. Ethics & Behavior, 6, 107-124.
63.
Shernoff, M. (2000). Cyber counseling for queer clients and clinicians. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 11, 105-112.
64.
Stein, L. D. (1997). Web security: A step-by-step reference guide. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
65.
Stofle, G. S., & Harrington, S. (2002). Treating addictions on the Internet: Can it be done? A dialogue. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 2, 85-92.
66.
Stricker, G. (1996). Psychotherapy in cyberspace. Ethics and Behavior, 6, 175-177.
67.
Strong, S. R. (1968). Counseling: An interpersonal influence process. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 15, 215-224.
68.
Sue, D. W., Carter, R. T., Casas, J. M., Fouad, N. A., Ivey, A. E., Jensen, M., et al. (1998). Multi-cultural counseling competencies: Individual and organizations development. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
69.
Suler, J. (2001). Assessing a person’s suitability for online therapy: The ISMHO clinical case study group. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 4, 675-679.
70.
VandenBos, G. R., & Williams, S. (2000). The Internet versus the telephone: What is telehealth, anyway?Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 31, 490-492.
71.
Vera, E. M. (2000). A recommitment to prevention work in counseling psychology. The Counseling Psychologist, 28, 829-837.
72.
Vera, E. M., & Speight, S. L. (2003). Multicultural competence, social justice, and counseling psychology: Expanding our roles. The Counseling Psychologist, 31, 253-272.
73.
Winzelberg, A. (1997). The analysis of an electronic support group for individuals with eating disorders. Computers in Human Behavior, 13, 393-407.
74.
Zack, J. S. (2004). Technology of online counseling. In R. Kraus, J. Zack, & G. Stricker (Eds.), Online counseling: A handbook for mental health professionals (pp. 93-121). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
75.
Zelvin, E., & Speyer, C. M. (2004). Online counseling skills, part I: Treatment strategies and skills for conducting counseling online. In R. Kraus, J. Zack, & G. Stricker (Eds.), Online counseling: A handbook for mental health professionals (pp. 164-180). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
