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Internet Assisted Video Conference Therapy
Can therapists and clients meet in a video conference (tele-psychotherapy) instead
of in the therapist's office?
I have been asked if therapy over the internet
using video conferencing hardware a viable substitute for regular therapy. My answer
is "It certainly won't work for people who suffer from technophobiaha but for
everyone else I don't think we'll know until we try." I do know that the
telephone won't work as the sole vehicle for communication because so much information is
lost. Only a small part of any communication is contained in our words and
tone of voice. Tele-therapy is intriguing because now we can more closely create a
situation of sharing the same room. From a practical point of view, it would
eliminate the driving time to and from appointments as well as the economic and and
environmental impact of that drive. Depending on the value of your time, the drive may cost you more than
the hourly fee of your therapist. On the other hand, dedicating yourself
to the sessions regardless of time involved may turn out to be a more important factor
than it is presently seen to be. There remain questions of quality of transmission;
your being able to find a peaceful, private place for tele-therapy sessions; and problems
with insuring your privacy over the internet. Naturally, it would be a gamble
because it could turn out to be a technical bust; even if we can work out the optics and
electronics, the flow of information and communication may not be adequate to
establish the relationship so important for successful therapy. It would probably be
better to start with a client who has successfully completed a video conference, who isn't
in a crisis, and who lives near enough to come to the office while I'm working the bugs
out of my system.
To Home Page of John J.
Herr, Ph.D.
[This page last edited on 06/22/07.]
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