Researching online counselling and psychotherapy: The past, the present and the future

Abstract

Using technology as a therapeutic tool is by no means new. During the 1960s, Weizenbaum and his colleagues created a computer programme (ELIZA-which is freely available online for those curious to try it out) that used language rules based upon client-centred counselling principles (Weizenbaum, 1966). Despite the programme's rudimentary nature, Weizenbaum found that participants in his studies engaged in a surprisingly rich way with it. Such interest in the interface between therapy and technology, although not mainstream, has continued throughout the subsequent decades. Research communities have consistently considered how technology might be used to enhance therapeutic practice or, at least, to make it more efficient.Making use of the Internet as a means of offering therapy has been an inevitable part of this process.Many developments have occurred in the field of online counselling and psychotherapy. Given the way that access and usage of the Internet has bloomed since the 1990s, a majority of the online therapeutic developments occurred after this date. For instance, the first reported paid therapy session is recorded in 1995 (Anthony, 2003a).Since then, an abundance of research has been completed considering who is seeking support via this means (e.g. Hanley et al., 2017;King et al., 2006), how individuals (therapists and clients) experience such services and rate the quality of the relationships they enter into (e.g. Dowling & Rickwood, 2014;Hanley & Reynolds, 2009), and how effective and efficacious such approaches are (e.g. Barak

Online Therapy in COVID-19: What are the Influences of Online Therapy for Depression Among Adolescents?

“…The author previously doubted online therapy because she believes that session setting, eye contact, and action are as vital in therapy for therapists and clients to develop a relationship. Terry had a similar thought as me [1] . Then he spoke with a young individual, who informed him that if it wasn't for the online treatment, he wouldn't discuss about his life.…”

“…But through the idea changing in some therapists, more therapists start to consider online therapy more positive. Through the process, online therapy would develop more intact and better [1] . When the technology is developed enough at a point, the limitation of online therapy might be eliminated.…”

How Online Counselling Is Utilised, Evaluated, and Received

“…The online counselling and psychotherapy prevalence traced from the early 1960s to the current technological advances in the field (Hanley, 2020) has highlighted some changes towards online practices and service provision. Over the last 30 years, mental health professionals and academics have explored and experimented (both at practice and research-based level) with delivering mental health interventions through the cyberspace (Amichai-Hamburger et al, 2014;Andersson, 2018).…”

“…Despite the increasing use of online therapy, variations in demographic characteristics have been observed in the accessing and the utilisation of the online counselling and therapy in comparison to the face-toface counselling (Yeung, Wong & Law, 2001;DuBois, 2004;Hanley, 2012;Novotney, 2017;Hanley, Prescott & Gomez, 2019, Hanley, 2020. Specifically, when gender was considered in relation to the access of the online counselling and therapy services for psychosocial problems, Yeung et al (2001) and Lifeline Ipswich and West Moreton (LIWM, 2001) reported almost as many males as females in their study.…”

"Pandemic Dreams are Susceptible to Priming and Unrelated to COVID-19 Exposure"

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has had an immeasurable impact on global health and wellbeing. The consequences have affected mental health while official and selfimposed restrictions have made it difficult for many to access counseling support in rapidly changing circumstances (Hanley, 2020;Costa et al, 2021). College students face unique risks in this respect; many now confront all the common challenges of the pandemic while having to learn remotely, far from traditional campus services.…”