Counselling Psychology and the internet: A review of the quantitative research into online outcomes and alliances within text-based therapy

Abstract

Purpose This paper examines the empirical research concerning counselling psychologists who utilise the internet in their practice. More specifically, we summarise the quantitative research of online therapeutic outcomes and alliances reported in text-based therapeutic encounters. Background Online therapy creates much debate within the therapeutic world. Many question the validity of entering into these relatively uncharted waters, while others have begun working productively in this territory. To date, a small pool of research examining the efficacy of such work has emerged and provides the focus for this paper. Method A review of the literature has been conducted with a two-fold strategy. Initially a review of 16 quantitative outcome studies investigating this area are presented and discussed – these have been selected from Barak, Hen, Boniel-Nissim and Shapira’s (2008) comprehensive review of the effectiveness of internetbased psychotherapeutic interventions. Following this, the focus is moved to the concept of the online therapeutic alliance. A systematic review of the existing literature outlines five pertinent quantitative studies and these are discussed in relation to key qualitative work in this area. Conclusions Conclusions are drawn highlighting that work in this medium shows great promise, with both successful outcomes and strong alliances being reported online. Such findings, although limited due to the dearth of the research available, challenge the views of those sceptical of counselling psychologists entering into virtual arenas.

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