Internet access changes the way the we do things daily, we can bank online, apply for loans online, and go to school online, we can even attend group therapy online. The question that then needs to be asked is, will group therapy work if only done online? What are the requirements that are needed technology wise and socially? Can Internet group therapy be just as effective online as in an intimate group therapy session? Here we will look at if empathy can be construed over the internet and can the disinhibition that leads to toxic behaviors be contained.
Keywords: group therapy, empathy, social interest, primary groups, secondary group, group leader, group dynamics, open groups, closed groups, heterogeneous, homogeneous
Support Group Interests and the Internet
Hammond (2015) discusses at length the possibilities of internet group therapies
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Pros of having an effective online support group would be accessibility, being able to free from the constraints of time and distance. Members could also feel free to join late and leave early when life’s circumstances needed them to do so. Participants could also gain clarity from writing their feelings and self-expressions down in order for others to read. Sufferers of rare conditions could meet over long distances and share their trials and tribulations with each other. Drawbacks of possible internet support groups would include the technology required to access such groups, slower responsiveness or feedback to thoughts and emotions especially if those thoughts are of hurting one’s self or others. Inevitably the disinhibition that people sometimes feel leads to a toxic group environment and a lack of empathy. Falseness also is a large issue to be addressed since there is no concrete evidence that participants are who they claim they
Specialists on this type of sites ask about potential clients’ records and use them to gain an understanding their mental issues. After that, experts offer strategies, plans and well as methods for dealing with difficult issues. Therapists who work online will conduct consistent conferences while keeping the record of patients ' improvement like a physician who operates out of an office. Online therapists use different strategies than a traditional mental health professional. Because these meetings do not take place in the regular setting, the doctor uses a variety of methods to make contact with the client. The session can be conducted through the use of online video chats, by email and phone calls. But there will be times when the connection for some of these methods is not clear, and the therapist might not hear a client’s entire response. The online therapist must have the same level of education as a regular therapist. Online therapy allows the client to remain in the comfort of their home instead of traveling to the doctor’s office. A traditional therapy session may last for years while only treatment lasts for a few months. If the client needs further care, the online doctor will refer him to a regular therapist for further treatment. MyTherapyNet.com connects clients with counselors and support groups based on the needs of the customer. There are several therapists available around the clock. Each
At one point in a person life, they will participated in a group whether it is part of a specific committee, therapy, or social group. In recent years, there has been a rise in counseling within a group forum veering from the tradition individual counseling. Therapists, physiologist, and counselors believe that form of counseling is beneficial to both counselor and client. This allows the counselor to help several clients at once rather than one at a time decreasing their strenuous workload and demanding work hours. This form of counseling integrate individual that share similar issues, struggles, and experiences into one forum. This not only allows the clients to learn from the therapist but from their fellow group members. The group experience
The first time I personally experienced attending a group therapy was part of my course. Through this experience i can say that group therapy can be very powerful in healing a person emotionally and since the members were from the same class, where we all have similar goals. Group therapy helped all of us to establish meaningful and intimate relationship and we also recognised commanality of members needs and problems and to develop a sense of bonding and we became very close and we could also be there for each other during emotionally trying times.It also helped me to increase self-growth, self acceptance and self –confidence among oneself and group members. Group therapy is a powerful venue for growth and change. It also helped me in expressing my emotions in a healthy way.
Upon taking this course I have learned that group therapy consist of psychotherapy treatment that allows individuals to come in contact with each other. As members approach one another they are strangers at this point. They begin to communicate with each other about their issues in an interpersonal setting. In group therapy, I have also learned and seen from experiences that some members would like to be the dominant one in the group who enjoys taking over the group sessions, be demeaning and manipulative towards others members and the therapist. The statement that was verbalized by the group member towards the other client transitioned to the storming stage. This stage consist of conflict, dominance and rebellion (Yalom 314). The member voiced his/her statement with anger towards the highly educated group member. As the group leader the intervention that I will implement to facilitate a corrective emotional experience will be as discussed in chapter 5, relates to culture building. Yalom states that an unwritten code of behavioral rules or norms should be implemented to remind the clients of the expectancy in the group (Yalom 120). Implementing or practicing the eleven factors for a conducive interpersonal session should include: instillation of hope, universality, altruism, development of socializing techniques and interpersonal learning just to name a few.
This paper will discuss conduct and discuss three different online therapy sites. It will discuss the contact of each website, the professional involved, how the actual online interaction occurs. It will address how professional associations and state boards view online therapy.
After discussing the potential benefits of e-therapy, I must emphasize that this recommendation is to enhance and not replace traditional therapy delivery. Clinicians must make proper evaluations and determine who is a good candidate for e-therapy. Initial evaluations should take place in person or via video chat. A patient’s ability to provide accurate self-report is another crucial factor. “Just as not every client is appropriate for online therapy, it also is important to consider which therapists should be providing online services” (Rochlen et al. 2004, p. 274), Therapist should have basic skills but also an interest in continuing studies on e-therapy.
Technology has become an everyday part of life; the majority of our lives is now spent using some type of technology. Technology has also become popular in many professions, including Counseling. With the increase in technology and the constant changes, counselors have been trying to incorporate the new technologies in their profession to benefit their clientele. The possible uses of technology in counseling are unlimited, even though there are multiple possibilities that benefit the counseling profession, technology can often bring about ethical issues. Technology can be used in several different ways to benefit their profession and their clients each having their own negative and positive effect to the counseling process. My concern is that distance counseling/online counseling is not as beneficial as believed and could actually cause more harm than help. Even though, I do personally see the possible benefits of the growth of technology in the counseling field, but believe for it to be successful there needs to be additional code of ethics and guidelines for professionals to adhere to.
‘Friends and family tried to help, but our relationships had changed in the face of grief,’ she says. ‘Most did not know how to deal with the situation’” (Stich 2). Also computers help those who are from a low- income household and when they are given internet access it helps them become better readers. In addition, Facebook makes shyness disappear. “Facebook is for shy people as water is for the thirsty” (Rosenwald 1). Sometimes the internet improves lives in building relationships, and can be used as a bridge. “Facebook is a crutch, feeling more comfortable with digital friends than personal ones” (Rosenwald 2). But are these the only good things related with using the internet?
The move toward technology-assisted counselling (TAC) has been advancing for two decades now. Reports indicate that the first online counselling session took place in 1995 (Hanley & Reynolds, 2009). The proliferation of new communication methods has further increased interest in this modality. A brief review of the literature highlights the diversity of technologies and delivery models emerging from online counselling (Hanley & Reynolds, 2009). This diversity is so great that researchers and policy-makers seem to struggle to arrive at a consensus on terminology to be used to describe the concept.
We have already covered how the different approaches to online therapy have their own advantages that may outweigh 'body language' and other specific disadvantages in some situations. In terms of the risks or other concerns, I think it is important to point out that internet based therapy makes counseling and therapeutic support possible for many people who would not otherwise be prepared to engage with a therapist.
Research proved that individual therapy was more effective than group therapy when treating SAD. Studies supported the idea that internet-therapy was more successful than face-to-face therapy with regards to SAD. Therefore, my new proposed study is aimed at proving that individual internet-based therapy is an effective treatment for SAD. While researching the three focus article, a common occurrence throughout the studies was self-reporting through questionnaires. Although questionnaires have their benefits like being relatively inexpensive and the ability to implement a large volume of participants, questionnaires can lead to bias. According to researchers, Elizabeth Austin, Ian Deary, Gavin Gibson, Murray McGregor and J. Dent, some questionnaires’ scales
In conclusion, although there are many pros and cons to e-counseling at the end what matters is the wellbeing of the client and their choice of therapy method. Online counseling clearly offers the client a degree of anonymity that may reduce such social stigma and therefore prompt them to seek assistance when they might otherwise have hesitated. As long as the practitioners and the client are aware of the implications and guidelines when engaging in such therapeutic approach and thoroughly discussed risk and possible issues at the end it’s a matter of
Online therapy has emerged as a viable new option in the helping profession. Online therapy or e-therapy occurs when a therapist provides therapy and support over the Internet. E-mail, chat, video, or smart phone are all ways individuals can communicate through online therapy. Online therapy websites are abounding on the Internet, any individual seeking online therapy will surely find what they are looking for. This paper will evaluate and explain the content from
Since at least 1982, the internet has provided a new venue for support group (John Schappi, 2012). Discussing online self-help support groups as the precursor to e-therapy, Martha Ainsworth notes that "the enduring success of these groups has firmly established the potential of computer-mediated communication to enable discussion of sensitive personal issues. For example Email, Usenet and internet bulletin boards have become popular methods of communication for peer-to-peer self-help groups and facilitated support groups. Support groups have long offered companionship and information for people coping with diseases or disabilities, and online situational oriented groups have expanded to offer support for people facing various life circumstances, especially those involving personal and cultural relationships (Van Brunt, 2008).
Little is known or researched concerning the efficacy of the counselling relationship on clients who use and participate in e-therapy. The increased use of e-therapy can have a major impact on both the industry as well as those who participate in the sessions. Participants will have a great level of choice of therapist since they are no longer confined to their local market. They are able to seek out specialist who can assist them in their particular area of need. They are no longer hindered by the need to commute to a certain locale to obtain services. Patients are able to use parts of their day that were previously unavailable.