e-Therapy

Like everyone else psychology has gone electronic. Research is currently being carried out to determine how effective this type of therapy is. The treatment protocol for e-therapy is generally something like this:  you complete modules over the internet and have weekly contact with a therapist either by phone or by email.

The advantage of e-therapy is of course that it is easily accessible; it’s low cost and lacks the stigma traditionally associated with psychotherapy. The availability of e-therapy is important given that less than half of people struggling with mental health problems receive treatment.

Can I see myself getting involved in e-therapy?

No.

There are two reasons for this – a personal and a scientific.

The research overwhelmingly shows, us that it is not specific techniques that predict how well people do in therapy, but rather whether people feel  understood, cared for and safe. In other words, the therapeutic relationship is the crucial ingredient in people getting better. As psychologists Steven Hick and Thomas Bien write: “It may even be the case that technique is important because it facilitates the therapeutic relationship – perhaps through the installation of a sense of hope – rather than the relationship being important because it supports technique.” I agree. As I always say: “CBT won’t work without TLC.”

The personal reason is probably obvious to those of you that I’m working with: I derive a great deal of pleasure from the human-to-human encounter that therapy is. A phone call, a text, an email or any other kind of electronic communication does not give me the same rich experience. I know that I tell you that you are welcome to text, call or email me if things come up for you that can’t wait till your next session, but this is only ever meant as a supplement to the face-to-face sessions. Not a substitute.

Given the nature of e-therapy there is little or no possibility for the development of a therapeutic relationship.

Whenever I come across a therapist, a new kind of therapy, or a new way of doing therapy, I always ask myself: “would I want someone I love to see this therapist or receive this treatment?” This is my personal measure against which I evaluate things.

Would I want someone I love to receive e-therapy? Possibly. But given the choice between doing e-therapy and seeing a warm-blooded, live therapist, I would always advice people to see a real person (given that they’re competent of course). As I’ve mentioned before: human beings are build to connect with other humans and the power of therapy is that we have two brains resonating together.

My guess is that e-therapy will turn out to be as effective as a good self-help book (or maybe a bit more effective) and that it will be helpful for some disorders. Is it going to take the place of face-to-face therapy?

I doubt it.