Providers and consumers of mental health services are increasingly making use of the internet to gather information, consult, and participate in psychotherapy. This Handbook gives practical insight into how professionals can translate their practice to an online medium. Divided into four sections, section one provides an overview of how the internet has become an integral part of people's lives, and the research to date on the use and effectiveness of counseling online, as well as idiosyncrasies of online behavior and communication. Section two discusses the "practical" aspects of counseling online, including technological issues, ethical and legal issues, and business issues. Section three focuses on performing psychotherapy online, including online treatment strategies and skills, working with online groups, online testing and assessment, and international and multicultural issues in online counseling. The last section discusses the future of online counseling. The Handbook is intended for those professionals interested in the burgeoning telehealth movement and to those practicing therapists looking for ways to expand their practices online and/or to help round out treatment to specific patients who might benefit from online therapy in addition to traditional delivery.

"An enjoyable book that helps to bring counselling into the 21st century. Kate and DeeAnna have played a significant role in the development of online therapy and their enthusiasm for the subject matter, and experience as trainers and practitioners, comes through in this informative text." Terry Hanley, Director of MA in Counselling, University of Manchester The plethora of online services now available has led to a growing demand for practitioners to look beyond traditional face-to-face therapy and take advantage of the flexibility which email and the Internet can offer them and their clients. This guide gives up-to-the minute information and research, ethical and legal advice, on the practicalities of setting up or joining a service, and the essential therapeutic skills needed to be an effective online therapist. Writing for an international audience, the authors discuss the issues for practitioners using the Internet today, as well as in the future. Basing their study on published empirical research, they address: - text-based therapeutic interventions such as email, Internet Relay Chat and forums, from the perspective of different theoretical orientations, illustrated with a full length case study - new Ethical Framework for using Technology in Mental Health - online supervision, online research; group therapy online - the "business" of setting up in private practice or e-clinics - other therapeutic uses of technology including use of video therapy, mobile SMS, telephone therapy, Virtual Reality environments, gaming and computerised CBT. The authoritative guide to all aspects of being an online therapist, this practical text is a vital addition to any therapist′s library. It will also be valuable reading for anyone training to be a counsellor or psychotherapist in our increasingly ′electronic′ world.

In a time when the ability to adapt one's practice to the digital environment is paramount, Synchronous Online Counseling and Supervision in the 21st Century assists counselors in developing therapeutic relationships while tailoring counseling skills and techniques to provide treatment at a distance. Featuring chapters written by experts within the disciplines, the text provides readers with vital information regarding the effective use of technology to provide ethical counseling services to a variety of populations online. Fundamental understanding of online counseling and supervision is provided, including the unique needs of clients seeking synchronous treatment. Clinical skills, licensing, practice issues, technology, regulations, ethics, multicultural, and social justice issues are explored. Working with special populations in an online format is addressed, and couples and marriage formats are discussed. Online group sessions and child counseling, from kindergarten to college, are examined. Finally, the book includes a comprehensive exploration of online crisis counseling, providing specific crisis intervention strategies and techniques. Equipping readers with sound, evidence-based practices aligned with ACA and CACREP standards, Synchronous Online Counseling and Supervision in the 21st Century is an indispensable resource for future and practicing counselors.

This innovative new resource outlines the process of conducting individual, family and group therapy online with the use of video conferencing tools, and explores the unique concerns associated with this increasingly popular and convenient approach to treatment. Offering mental health practitioners a definitive presentation on how to use online tools to facilitate psychological intervention, the book will also enable readers to learn about the processes of virtual individual, couple, family and group therapy, specific concerns related to online group dynamics, as well as the responsibilities of the therapist and group leader in online sessions. This is the perfect companion for counselors of all backgrounds and disciplines who are interested in offering or improving their approach to virtual services.

Virtual care is the new normal. Are you prepared? In this comprehensive guide, therapist and certified telemental health trainer Joni Gilbertson discusses the entire virtual treatment process, from intake to termination (and beyond). Drawing from her own successful online practice, in addition to training thousands of professionals on telemental health, Gilbertson's straightforward, conversation style allows clinicians to see themselves in her case examples and clinical decision making. Designed with both the seasoned and newly minted therapist in mind, this guidebook provides a map to the essentials of a successful online practice, including: - Platforms that are both HIPAA-compliant and user-friendly - An ethical roadmap for navigating dilemmas common to virtual care - Up-to-date information on virtual care best practices and laws - Must-have risk management safeguards for your license, your practice, and your client - Customizable, legally sound forms, including informed consent, release of information, emergency plans, and more

This book is based on my own personal opinions, experiences and perspectives about Americans hating Americans. Moreover, my personal perspective of racism in America will be the main focus of this book. While the word hate is a harsh word to use, I believe it is fitting for the situation. Not only will I discuss Americans hating Americans, I will also provide some suggestions at the end of this book, offering ways, ideas, recommendations to help Americans deal with hatred among themselves!

′A very practical text that provides professionals new to this arena with a good introduction to what they can expect to encounter in online work. The book contains numerous thought-provoking examples and exercises for those contemplating work in virtual arenas′ - Terry Hanley, Lecturer in Counselling, University of Manchester `It′s tempting to think that face-to-face experience translates straightforwardly to online work. But it doesn′t. Jane Evans shows how many different aspects there are to counselling on-line... My advice would be, don′t attempt it until you have worked through this book′ - Professor Michael Jacobs, author of Psychodynamic Counselling in Action Counsellors - and other professionals who provide emotional support and guidance - are increasingly working online. The difference between online and face-to-face interaction with clients is vast and practitioners need to equip themselves with specialist knowledge and skills to ensure that they are being effective. Online Counselling and Guidance Skills is the first book to deal with the practicalities of this mode of working. It looks at how practitioners need to adapt their basic counselling skills to the online environment and guides them through the process of setting up, defining and maintaining a working relationship with a client within professional, ethical and legal boundaries. Case studies and extracts from online sessions show how the skills are put into practice, while practical exercises and points for further consideration help readers to develop their own knowledge and skills. Until now, books and articles have generally focused on the therapeutic work done by counsellors online. However, this book addresses people who use counselling skills in a wide range of contexts; including counselling, education, mental health, social care and careers guidance.