Choosing an Online Therapist: A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Professional Help on the Web

Rating:
Summary: A new type of mental health help unique to this modern age
Review: Choosing An Online Therapist: A Step-By-Step Guide To Finding Professional Help On The Web by social worker and chemical dependency counselor Gary S. Stofle is a simple but effective guide to online therapy. Stofle covers what online therapy is about, who it's best for, how to use credentials and other resources to select the best online therapist for one's needs, and how to end therapy when the time is right. Sample online therapy sessions are presented, along with several sample forms and websites. Highly recommended for anyone considering online therapy for themselves or a loved one will find Choosing An Online Therapist to be a fascinating, invaluable guide to a new type of mental health help unique to this modern age.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Useful Little Book
Review: With our economy still in recovery, people who would benefit from counseling may not get the help they need due to cost. There are other reasons why people may not be able to access in-person therapy -- geographical isolation, disabilities that prevent travel, concern for community status, feelings ashamed or guilty for seeking help, or having social phobia and panic attacks. Online therapy can be a fruitful method of getting assistance for some types of problems. This book is a primer on how to go about doing just that.

The author begins by exploring the ways in which online therapy is different, such as missing non-verbal cues, distance preventing crisis intervention, questions of effectiveness, potential for fraud, and risks to confidentiality. Stolfe then clarifies the types of problems that respond best to online counseling and those that do not. Issues not to be handled online are suicidality, disordered thinking, medical issues related to mental health (such as anorexia nervosa), and borderline personality disorder. The types of problems he suggests for online therapy are related to personal growth and fulfillment, adult children of alcoholics, agoraphobia/anxiety disorders/social phobia, body image issues/problems, and shame/guilt. The chapter includes a table that identifies major areas of trouble and the level of care which best serves them (inpatient, outpatient, online, etc.).

Characteristics of a good therapist are discussed: empathy, compassion, knowledge, credentials, trustworthiness. For online therapy, however, Stolfe suggests additional qualities to consider: experience; an appropriate website with all necessary information; good typing, spelling, and grammar; online savvy and comfort; if the therapist receives supervision; and membership in the ISMHO (International Society of Mental Health Online).

Chapter 4 covers the basic mechanics of online counseling, i.e., the venues (email, chat) and the types of security issues related to them. Guidance for finding a therapist online and the type of fee you can expect to pay are also provided. Following that, Stolfe describes the protocol for the first contact and first appointment. He also explains how to terminate therapy, whether it's due to financial problems, ethical concerns, or is planned (goals have been met).

The last chapters provide information on computer and Internet basics, a computer-buying checklist, online therapy ethics, types of therapy, and online therapy sites and companies.

In all, this small book is densely packed with useful information. Online therapy is likely to grow. If used ethically, it provides another resource for people wanting to improve their lives. This guide will help the potential client in his or her search to find caring and competent service.