Myths and realities of online clinical work

Michael Fenichel, John Suler, Azy Barak, Elizabeth Zelvin, Gill Jones, Kali Munro, Vagdevi Meunier, Willadene Walker-Schmucker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

An international, multi-disciplinary group of online mental health professionals, under the auspices of the International Society for Mental Health Online, presents this 3rd-year report. This article highlights the experiences of ISMHO's Clinical Case Study Group members with regard to online clinical work across several Internet-based modalities as well as integrated online/offline approaches to mental health treatment and consultation. A number of online approaches and paradigms are presented, often combining several aspects of synchronous and asynchronous online mental health practice. The discussion is organized around case presentation material shared among colleagues as part of a unique model combining peer supervision with systematic efforts to further develop a body of shared experience and observation relevant to online clinical practice. Readers are invited to virtually "listen in" to the collective voice of the group as it reconsiders whether 10 common conceptions of Internet-based practice are in fact myth or reality. Topics range from the nature of online behavior, communication, and technology, to cultural and ethical issues, to working with populations commonly seen as not being amenable to online clinical work.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)481-497
Number of pages17
JournalCyberpsychology and Behavior
Volume5
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Communication
  • Applied Psychology
  • Human-Computer Interaction

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