Internet Therapy: The Issues: effectiveness, safety, ethics, appropriate use, legal issues

INTRODUCTION:
What is e-therapy?

  WHOS LISTED HERE
  IF YOURE IN THERAPY
  IF YOURE IN CRISIS

THE ISSUES: What you need to know about e-therapy

  IS E-THERAPY FOR YOU?
  CHECK THE THERAPIST
  IS THIS THERAPY?
  IS IT ETHICAL?
  IS IT CONFIDENTIAL?
  IS IT EFFECTIVE?
  WHAT E-THERAPISTS DO
  HOW E-THERAPY WORKS
  FEES & PAYMENT
  LEGAL ISSUES

E-THERAPIST DIRECTORY

  CONSUMER SURVEY
  E-THERAPY HISTORY
  NEWSROOM
  INFO FOR JOURNALISTS
  INFO FOR THERAPISTS
  ADD YOUR SITE
  CONTACT ME

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Issues in Internet Therapy

This is a new frontier. There is promise, and also some risk. You must ask the right questions to be sure of getting help. The psychotherapists who do this work are asking them too. With your eyes open, you need to come to your own conclusion and be comfortable with your answers.

What do you need to know? You must be satisfied...

...that e-therapy is appropriate for you.
...that you are working with a bonafide, competent therapist.
...that the therapist will treat you ethically.
...that your e-therapy will be safe and private.

I believe there is great potential for good here. Real healing can happen when psychotherapists interact with people over the Internet. I have seen it happen, otherwise I would not have created this website.

Consumer Protection:
4 things to check out before you
consult a therapist on the Internet

Is e-therapy right for you? E-therapy is a good option for many people, but not everyone. There may be other, better ways for you to get help. [MORE INFO...]
Who is this therapist? Make sure the therapist is qualified to help you. Verify their credentials, or check that their identity and credentials have been verified by a neutral third party. Get real-world contact info to use in case of computer failures.
What will you get? Make sure youll actually get a personal reply, and how long it will take. Find out in advance how much the therapist charges, and what forms of payment they accept.
Protect Your Privacy: You must take steps to keep your e-therapy private. Keep your e-mail safe from prying eyes. Dont write to a therapist from your workplace, because your employer can read your e-mail at work. For extra privacy, use secure web pages or encrypted e-mail. [MORE INFO...]

If all these things check out, you should feel reasonably confident that youre in good hands. But you should still consider whether online counseling is appropriate for you.

Is e-therapy right for you?>>

Issues in Internet Therapy

Consumer Protection: 4 things to check out before you consult a therapist on the Internet

Consumer Protection:
4 things to check out before you
consult a therapist on the Internet