A Sex-Expert System on the Internet: Fact or Fantasy

Abstract

Fifteen years ago we proposed that the diagnosis and treatment of sexual and other problems could be delivered in a professional and expert manner using personal computers. We programmed a sex-expert diagnostic and treatment system and tested it on several hundred individuals and couples in the laboratory, as well as on a pre-Internet regional computer network. Although the results of our studies were very encouraging, a lack of scientific interest at the time prevented further research being undertaken. Recently, the growth of the Internet has lead to the development and use of a number of online approaches to the delivery of psychotherapeutic services in general, and of some new approaches to sex therapy in particular. However, a number of scientific and professional issues need to be investigated if the public health potential of the provision of online psychotherapy services is to be realized. 617

Facilitating Online Counseling: Perspectives From Counselors in Training

“…Instead, we assigned screen names listing the participants' first name only. Furthermore, we required the participants to create personalized and confidential passwords for registering on our Internet counseling suite (Ochs & Binik, 2000).…”

Myths and Realities of Online Clinical Work

“…Frequently, clients who need to talk about a problem related to sex feel uncomfortable meeting in person, but are comfortable discussing the topic with a therapist online. 35,36 Many sexual abuse survivors report that they feel too frightened to see a therapist in person, at least in the initial stages of their healing. It is much less frightening for many such people to receive therapy online from the safety of their own home.…”