Online Therapy and the Clinical Social Worker |
As clinical social workers venture into the 21st century, they see changes in computer technology occurring at a rapid pace, offering diversity in the way we provide mental health services to patients and their families. For years we have conducted psychotherapy services in an office or hospital setting, over the telephone, and even in the private setting of a home bound patient. Now there is an emerging opportunity to provide psychotherapy services via the Internet. These Internet services have been referred to as e-therapy, online therapy, cybertherapy and Internet counseling. Whatever term is used, many clinical social workers are eager to use the Internet as a tool for communications with their patients, while others cautiously wait at the starting line to see what the finished product may look like. NASW’s clinical social workers are asking, "Should I provide psychotherapy services over the Internet?" The answer to this question is not a simple one. Many argue that the information and support services offered online are not traditional psychotherapy. Further-more, there is a lack of evidence-based re-search to validate the safety or value of online therapy or prove that a face-to-face intervention is better than a script-to-script intervention. More outcome studies are necessary to determine the success of the treatment offered online before valuing it. There are both advantages and disadvantages to providing psycho-therapy services on the Internet. Clinical social workers should consider all of the benefits and risks involved before making a decision to engage in this process. Advantages
Disadvantages
Providing Online Therapy ServicesClinical social workers who decide to engage in the provision of psycho-therapy services on the Internet should consider the following steps.
SummaryOnline therapy is not only a new mode of therapy that little is known about, but also a new market that clinical social workers may enter and establish their expertise. Online therapy is becoming increasingly popular; patients are seeking and requesting it at an alarming rate. There is limited evidence that the services do work and are effective. There is also much debate about whether face-to-face psychotherapy is comparable to online therapy. Should online therapy become one of your choices of practice, proceed with caution following the steps outlined above and be aware that you are placing yourself at a higher risk for malpractice litigation. Because clinical social workers are one of the major providers of mental health services in the nation, it is most fitting for us to be involved in evidence-based research, outcome studies, and other activities that may help answer the many questions about online therapy that are now unknown.
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