The current paper reviews an article appearing in a major news publication. The topic of the article was mental health therapy that is provided via the world wide web. The paper summarizes the article, describes the perspective of the author of the article, and provides commentary by the author of this paper. In addition, suggestions are also made as to what kind of research studies could be conducted in the future to answer the questions proposed by the author of the current paper.
An article entitled æOnline Mental Health Service: An Opportunity, or Alarm?Æ appeared in the April 22nd online edition the New York Times (Almer, 2000). The current paper will review this article, and include a discussion of the authorÆs point of view. A commentary on this perspective will also be included, as well as recommendation for future research studies to be conducted that would address concerns proposed by the current paperÆs author.
The article was thoughtful and compelling, for a variety of reasons. To begin, the article opened with an example of a mayor of a small town and his wife contemplating going to a marriage therapist. The couple were hesitant, out of fear of gossip. Consequently, they turned to the internet and found a psychologist willing to offer them online therapy, along with an occasional telephone conversation. They and other users of online therapy are charged for these services by simply typing in their credit card number on the appropriate counselorÆs web site.
This scenario, although perhaps unheard of a few years ago, is becoming more and more common within recent years. And it is just this, the rise of online therapy, that is both the celebration, as well as cause for concern, for many mental health professionals. If not books, clothing, or airline tickets which are now easily purchased online, why not mental health services, particularly for those who do not otherwise have the access or are not...