Abstract
Clinical psychologists have traditionally shied away from technology,
perhaps because many of the therapeutic elements of psychotherapy rely on
verbal and nonverbal interpersonal communication. Although nothing will ever
replace face-to-face communication as the key element of psychological
practice, the advance of technology is now offering new communication tools
that psychologist and their patients feel comfortable using for clinical care.
This chapter presents the concept of e-therapy and examines the possible role of
Internet and related media in psychotherapy. Current clinical applications are
presented including equipment, research, and examples of direct clinical care.
Different modes of online mental health care, including e-mail counselling, selfhelp
therapy and self-help groups are analysed and discussed. The chapter also
focuses on the technology used in e-therapy ¿ email, IRC, videoconference -
providing information about the equipment and its clinical use. A particular
focus is given to the analysis of shared hypermedia, new Internet tools in which
different users, who are simultaneously browsing the same Web site, can
communicate and share files. The chapter concludes with suggestions for
evaluating the value of adding e-therapy to existing clinical practices.
Lingua originale | Inglese |
---|---|
Titolo della pubblicazione ospite | Towards Cyberpsychology: Mind, Cognition and Society in the Internet Age |
Editor | Giuseppe Riva Carlo Galimberti |
Pagine | 229-252 |
Numero di pagine | 24 |
Stato di pubblicazione | Pubblicato - 2001 |
Keywords
- Internet
- Psicoterapia
- Tecnologia