Online Psychotherapy
There's now a new approach to treating patients with mental health concerns. No, it's not a new drug, or a way to stimulate the brain, and it doesn't even require the person to leave their home. We'll tell you what it is and what the experts think about it.
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SAMANTHA MC-DERMOTT IS FEELING THE PRESSURES OF LIFE. SHE'S RECENTLY DIVORCED, SHE JUST BOUGHT A NEW HOME, AND NOW SHE'S RUNNING HER OWN BUSINESS. THAT'S A RECIPE FOR STRESS.
Samantha McDermott
Dealing With Stress
"I cannot sleep at night. I have a real hard time sleeping"
SAMANTHA NEEDED HELP BUT DIDN'T HAVE TIME FOR THERAPY. SHE FOUND WHAT SHE NEEDED WITH A NEW TYPE OF THERAPY - ONLINE THERAPY.
Roger Gould, M.D.
Psychiatrist
www.masteringstress.com
New York, NY
"The computer does the first phase, which does the interview, and gives a preliminary analysis."
SAMANTHA WENT THROUGH A COMPUTERIZED INTERVIEW DESIGNED TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF HER STRESS.
Samantha McDermott
"I found it very helpful because it allowed me to sit in the comfort of my own home, and go through a series of questions, where I was able to come to my own conclusions."
HER VIRTUAL DOCTOR'S PRESCRIPTION? TO SPEAK UP AND DISCUSS HER FEELINGS WITH LOVED ONESSOMETHING SAMANTHA ADMITS SHE DOESN'T ALWAYS DO. AND THOUGH SHE WAS SATISFIED WITH THE FEEDBACK, SOME MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WARN THAT ONLINE THERAPY HAS ITS LIMITATIONS.
Peggy Miller, M.A.,
M.F.C.C.
Marriage and Family Therapist
Los Angeles, CA
"If we could all get a diagnosis, and leave the office, and take off with it and implement it, then psychotherapists would not have second visits with their clients."
WHILE ONLINE PSYCHOTHERAPY MAY NOT BE FOR EVERYONE - FOR TREATING STRESS, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO CLICK AWAY YOUR PROBLEMS.
SO FAR, DR. GOULD SAYS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE TURNED TO HIS SITE "MASTERING STRESS-DOT-COM". MOST OF THEM WERE PEOPLE WHO TOOK ADVANTAGE OF GROUP MEMBERSHIPS OFFERED BY THEIR EMPLOYERS.
CLICKING STRESS AWAY: It may have been inevitable that the field of psychotherapy would move into the cyber age, and now, it appears to have happened. A growing number of web sites are popping up that offer psychotherapy from the comfort of your own home. Online counseling, or e-therapy, is defined as a professional counselor or psychotherapist talking with you over the Internet, to give you some kind of mental health assistance or emotional help. It can be a questions or an ongoing conversation. The treatment has both its pros and, of course, its cons.
THE POSITIVE SIDE OF E-THERAPY: Experts say e-therapy can be a viable alternative source of help when traditional psychotherapy is not available. In fact, it may even help address the problem that many people can not or will not see a therapist in person. According to the Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health, one in five Americans has a diagnosable psychological problem, but nearly two-thirds never seek treatment.
E-therapy can also help those people who don't have access to a nearby therapist, are nervous our embarrassed about counseling, has a schedule that keeps them from getting help in person, or can't afford to see a counselor in person.
THE CONS OF E-THERAPY: Some in the mental health community warn that this type of therapy is not appropriate in all circumstances. Peggy Miller, a marriage and family therapist, feels that observing body language is an important part of a therapist's work; something obviously missing from online therapy. Miller also worries that some patients, after identifying their stressors, might be unable to implement the solutions without further therapy. "They now know that there's something wrong, but there's still nothing to be done. And that could be more stressful", she says.
HOW IT WORKS: On one e-therapy sight, "Mastering Stress.com" for $30, patients fill out extensive questionnaires (through drop-down menus and multiple-choice check boxes) to determine the causes, duration, and intensity of their stress. A software program then analyses the data, and guides the patient through exercises designed to come up with solutions. For instance, if a patient describes stress related to ongoing tensions at work, the program might recommend he/she confront a co-worker or boss, depending on whoever seems to be the cause of the stress. Each online test takes roughly 45-60 minutes to complete, and various tests are available.
THE CONS OF E-THERAPY: Some in the mental health community warn that this type of therapy is not appropriate in all circumstances. Peggy Miller, a marriage and family therapist, feels that observing body language is an important part of a therapist's work; something obviously missing from online therapy. Miller also worries that some patients, after identifying their stressors, might be unable to implement the solutions without further therapy. "They now know that there's something wrong, but there's still nothing to be done. And that could be more stressful", she says. Additionally, this type of therapy offers a high potential for misunderstanding if the person does not express himself well in writing.
Metanoia
www.metanoia.org
Copyright © 2002 Ivanhoe Broadcast News, Inc.
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