[She]

Does it work? Would you suggest it or not?

[Miswimmy1]

I've never done it, so I don't know.

But I think that therapy is mostly about the interaction between the therapist and client. I guess it depends on what your in therapy for, but I don't think personally, that I would be able to build a solid relationship with someone online. It just makes me wary.

[pinkbutterfly]

i think it would be really difficult because something like 80% of communication is non-verbal. communicating in a therapeutic relationship is more than just talking.

[purplejell]

I think body language is important too... even if you were talking via Skype, I think the therapist might miss some important cues. I think just email would really suck because you can't tell very much from just words, and I don't think you would learn as much about the moment-to-moment kind of being in relationships.

[Freewilled]

I think it would be SO much easier for me to do email therapy...but I'm not sure it would be as helpful (well I'm hoping my T will end up being helpful in the end /: ). For some people it might really work - especially for those who would never even be able to get themselves to take the first steps to go in to see a T. It is a REALLY hard thing to do....maybe it would help as kind of a gateway to in-person therapy almost. Idk...

[Hope-Full]

I know it wouldn't work for me because so much of what I "say" is via body language and facial expressions, most of what would be missed online, even with webcams.

[tinyrabbit]

Originally Posted by pinkbutterfly

i think it would be really difficult because something like 80% of communication is non-verbal. communicating in a therapeutic relationship is more than just talking.

This. I think counselling is possible online. But therapy is something deeper and more unconscious. I think I would have missed out if I had done therapy online. I would have missed out on the peace and calm of my T's room, on all the times he has held my hand, the times he's hugged me and on so many subtle things.

Last session, for example, I was talking and I realised my T wanted to speak. I wasn't looking at him and I don't know how I knew, it was a slight breath or movement or something. I say slight because my T seemed stunned when I asked what he wanted to say. It's not like he cleared his throat loudly or something. I think we both saw, in that moment, how I am so used to people silencing me or interrupting me that I can pick up the slightest cues that someone else wants to speak.

I've shared some difficult things lately, about which I feel a lot of shame. I felt like my T wouldn't want me in his room. I knew that wasn't the case, but I felt it. To tell him difficult things and still be welcomed into his room has been an important experience. There have been times when I've dissociated in session and have needed him, and once I came in very triggered.

You can talk about problems online. But psychotherapy isn't just about the talking.

[Favorite Jeans]

She, what draws you to the online format? Are there barriers to going a more traditional route? I'm wondering if you live in a remote place or have mobility issues or a difficult work schedule or something.
I haven't tried it either and I do find writing to be therapeutic and I can see where it might be helpful but I share the reservations that other people have mentioned above. To me it's like when people say they have a girl or boyfriend online and it turns out they've actually never met. I wonder how deep the connection can actually be. I could see getting advice and support online but the nuanced, complex and intimate relationship of good therapy really seems like it has to happen in person.

[unlockingsanity]

Originally Posted by She

Does it work? Would you suggest it or not?

I tried online therapy first. It was a chat-based approach with someone who had a CBT approach. It was a good first step for me, because I was too anxious to initially see someone in person. I talked to the therapist for about 6 or 8 sessions and it was helpful in that it spurred me to go see someone in person.

Funny thing is though, that now I see someone with a completely different approach.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by She

Does it work? Would you suggest it or not?

for myself no I would not suggest it to anyone that I know....simply because there is no way to know for sure whether the person online is who they are...

example I once found an online therapist. the website looked fantastic. Even had pictures of this therapist in an office with clients and their family, had a list of credentials, outward appearances everything was great. I was very happy......until I delved deeper into trying to find out who this person was....their website said their base was here in the city and they had been a therapist for many years here in the city, but no treatment provider in the city had ever heard of this person. my red flags went up. Inquiries to the state board brought a result with that name. my red flags went down. internet search on this therapist showed many good and bad reviews. ok approach this with caution could go either way... I went ahead and contacted this therapist, giving only a brief summary of my most generic problems. online contact was going great.... but then one night I saw on the news a 52 yr old male looking like he was just coming off a drunken binge, being led to a police call and the reporter saying anyone with any contact with this man who was impersonating a female therapist online please contact them.

basically what this guy did was he searched the states licensing boards website where you can find treatment providers, and look up their credentials and find out if they have had any disciplinary action against them. he picked out one that had her picture, then used photo shop like programs to make the website pictures that showed "actual therapy session photos"

he plead guilty to fraud, impersonating a treatment provider, mental/emotional abuse of the mentally ill, and 8 counts of various sexual abuse in situations where 2 of his "clients" gave enough information about their selves during the "therapy sessions" that allowed him to locate them.

I swore off internet therapy and I do not recommend it to my friends and family or others that I may know.

[EmilysZoo]

Hmmm, this is very interesting to me because I have often thought about trying on-line. Why? Because the idea of 'testing out therapists' to find the right one throws me into a bit of a mental panic. On-line seems emotionally safer to me.

However, I probably won't do on-line either because I have no idea about privacy and how you would know how good the person on the other end is. What if it's just some fool pretending to be a therapist?

How would you find a reputable one?

I'd proceed cautiously and verify credentials - and I do think face-to-face therapy is best. That said, I have no experience with online therapy. I think it is worth a try as long as you verify credentials - particularly if face-to-face therapy isn't an option. If face-to-face therapy is an option - I'd try that first. Just my opinion, of course. Good luck and keep us posted!