I was recently interviewed by the Stars and Stripes regarding online counseling and the article entitled Tricare Programs Offer Online Counseling posted last week. Some of you may know that Tricare is offering online services now with a pilot program called TRIAP in which military and their family members can obtain assistance online via webcam. The military has also launched services through Tricare using a platform developed by American Well for behavioral telehealth services including the ability to prescribe.
Just a few weeks ago, the EAP Digest published an article about online counseling having finally crossed the chasm, suggesting that after a decade or so, the concept of online counseling is not really such a foreign idea. The article refers to an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) company in Canada that facilitated over 10,000 email cases in 2008. The same is true for EAPs in other parts of the world.
And most recently, a new study that will appear in the well-respected medical journal, Lancet, is indicating that online therapy is just as effective as face-to-face therapy. In fact, this study has been tweeted and retweeted countless times on twitter. In this same week results of another study from New South Wales, St. Vincent’s Hospital utilizing online therapy as an intervention for social anxiety disorder show similar efficacy. People seem to be very receptive to the idea that online therapy can be helpful to some individuals.
Perhaps it is because technology has become such a part of our social fabric that resistance is futile, or maybe there is a shift in the profession’s consciousness about thinking through new ways to reach out. I would love to hear feedback from people who may or may not consider online counselling for themselves. I have said all along that online counseling will not replace face-to-face counseling. Online counseling offers another way to deliver interventions. And I was a decade early when I said in 1999 that online therapy would become mainstream. Has the time come?
DeeAnna
on Sep 3rd, 2009 at 8:42 am
What do you know about the ethics and legality of online counseling? I notice that to be licensed as a marriage and family therapist in California you have to take courses.
on Sep 3rd, 2009 at 8:59 am
Hi Ericha,
Online Counseling is regulated by each state in the U.S. Some states have no restrictions while others do. While I am aware that CA has restrictions for practicing across state lines, I was not aware that courses are required in online counseling for LMFT.
The Online Therapy Institute at http://www.onlinetherapyinstitute.com offers a comprehensive framework for mental health practitioners who wish to work online.
on Sep 4th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
[...] more from the original source: Is Online Therapy Finally Considered a Viable Option? – Mental … Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and [...]
on Oct 6th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
I am a licensed clinical psychologist and I am very happy with my work in a small group practice, however I would like to supplement my income and “mix it up a little” by providing online therapy. Is it best to join an established online group or worthwhile to strike out on one’s own? Will insurances reimburse for these services?
I will follow the link to onlinetherapyinstitute.com to read more. Thank you.
on Nov 7th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Yes, online therapy is viable, but not quite mainstream; yet. I see the fact that Tricare; which is the main healthcare provider for the Department of Defense as a “sign of the times” meaning that as the need continues to increase and resources (qualified individuals) continue to be limited, technology will be used to extend beyond the limits of time and distance. It is only a matter of time before distance therapy is introduced to troops deployed throughout the world. And just as many of today’s conveniences were brought to the public through military development, distance therapy will gain significant momentum with US government endorsement.