This article explores the inevitable phenomenon of online therapy provided by professional counselors. Advantages of Internet counseling are examined from clients’ and counselors’ perspectives. Disadvantages are discussed, particularly in the area of asynchronous communication without the benefit of nonverbal cues. The possibility of providing marriage and family counseling via the Internet is considered. Through perusal and extrapolation of the current literature available on Internet counseling, this article speculates on the potential usefulness of this venue in the 21st century and the need for more research.
Ainsworth, M. (2001). ABCs of internet therapy. Retrieved March 26, 2005, from http://www.metanoia.org/imhs/survey.htm
2.
Attridge, W. C. (2004). Current practices and future implications for Internet counseling. In G. R. Walz & C. Kirkman (Eds.), Cyber Bytes: Highlighting compelling uses of technology in counseling (pp. 87-103). Greensboro, NC: CAPS Press.
3.
Collie, K., Cubranic, D., & Long, B. C. (2002, March). Audiographic communication for distance counselling: A feasability study. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 30(3), 269-284.
4.
Collie, K., Mitchell, D., & Murphy, L. (1999, July/August). E-mail counseling: Skills for maximum impact. ERIC/CASS Digest, pp. 1-6. Retrieved January 31, 2005, from www.eric.ed.gov
5.
DuBois, D. (2004, July). Clinical and demographic features of the online counselling client population. Counselling & Psychotherapy Research Journal, 4(1), 18-22.
6.
Emoticons.(2005). Retrieved April 22, 2005, from http://www.computeruser.com/resources/dictionary/emoticons.html
7.
Freeny, M. (2001, March/April). Better than being there. Psychotherapy Networker, 25(2), 31-39.
8.
Grohol, J. (1997, May 22). Making online therapy safer: A new credentialing service is launched and tidbits from APA. Retrieved January 31, 2005, from http://www.grohol.com/archives/n062297.htm
9.
Guterman, J. T., & Kirk, M. A. (1999, October). Mental health counselors and the Internet. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 21, 309-325.
10.
Harun, L. M., Zainudin, Z. N., & Hamzah, R. (2001, August). E-counseling: The willingness to participate. Paper presented at the International Education Conference. The Reach Platform for Educators—Reflections, Visions, and Dreams of Practice, Selangor, Malaysia.
11.
Jencius, M., & Sager, D. E. (2001, July). The practice of marriage and family counseling in cyberspace. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 9(3), 295-301.
12.
King, S. A., Engi, S., & Poulos, S. (1998, February). Using the Internet to assist family therapy. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 26(1), 43-52.
13.
Maheu, M. M., & Gordon, B. L. (2000, May). Counseling and therapy on the Internet. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 31(5), 484-489.
14.
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(1/2), 155-163.
15.
Mitchell, D. L., & Murphy, L. (2003). E-mail rules! Organizations and individuals creating ethical excellence in telemental-health. In J. W. Bloom & G. R. Walz (Eds.), Cybercounseling and cyberlearning: An encore (pp. 203-219). Greensboro, NC: CAPS Press.
16.
Murphy, L. J., & Mitchell, D. L. (1998, February). When writing helps to heal: E-mail as therapy. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 26(1), 21-32.
17.
National Board of Certified Counselors. (2001, November 3). The practice of Internet counseling. Retrieved February 12, 2005, from http://www.nbcc.org/ethics/webethics.htm
18.
Norcross, J. C., Hodges, M., & Prochaska, J. O. (2002, June). The face of 2010: A Delphi poll on the future of psychotherapy. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33(3), 316-322.
19.
Robson, D. (2000, September). Ethical issues in Internet counseling. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 13(3), 249-258.
20.
Sampson, J. P., Jr., Kolodinsky, R. W., & Greeno, B. P. (1997, January/February). Counseling on the information highway: Future possibilities and potential problems. Journal of Counseling & Development, 75(3), 203-212.
21.
Stevens, P. W., & Shulman, K. (2003). Off the couch and online: Technology in family counseling. In D. A. Kaplan (Ed.), Family counseling for all counselors (pp. 247-268). Greensboro, NC: CAPS Press.
22.
Sussman, R. J. (1998, June). Counseling online. Counseling Today. Retrieved from http://www.uni-bamberg.de/%7Eba3sw1/downloads/lorzsonja/Literatur/Sussman,%2520%2520RJ,%25201998.htm
23.
Sussman, R. J. (2004). Counseling over the Internet: Benefits and challenges in the uses of new technologies. In G. R. Walz & C. Kirkman (Eds.), CyberBytes: Highlighting compelling uses of technology in counseling (pp. 17-19). Greensboro, NC: CAPS Press.
