A study of Virtual Therapy Virtual therapy is

A study of Virtual Therapy Virtual therapy is a good - often necessary - alternative to conventional face to face therapy… …anyway a good complement to the traditional way of helping people. Anonymity is the central value Peter Sandström ” 6 years Net Therapy” years - 2006 Päihdelinkki 10 v. - Addiction Link 10

Virtual Therapy. . * quick, easy, smooth (often also gratis) * not bound to a certain place or time * for many the primary tool for to face new challenges, a training ground for new thinking and behavior

Virtual Therapy. . * allows presentation for very sensitive personal issues * paradox: the communication is perceived in the same time distant and very close * feelings can also been shared by the Net (convey emotions)

The psychological benefits * provide confirmation to own thoughts * helps in identity problems * reduce loneliness and hopelessness * no fear to loose your face and dignity * easier to go straight to the point * purely writing is a therapy for many * ”the written word live longer than spoken”

However Web-services may exclude some groups of people - ”marginalized people”/ people with multiple social and economical problems - elderly people - people with severe disabilities - immigrants - prisoners

The Net is a good implement for giving: * basic information and quidance * guidance/referral to other services * short or long term guidance * virtual therapy 1 -2 -3 etc. years)

Conclusions… Though some limits there is huge opportunities in helping people by the Net. Basic information and guiding to the masses. The self-help tools are very popular on the Net. “A new way to deal and look at things”. Also the professionals can learn a lot from their “grass root contacts” =Net-clients.

Thank you for your attention! Peter Sandström Social/addiction therapist (A-Clinic, city of Hyvinkää) peter. sandstrom@hyvinkaa. fi Net counselor (the Finnish Addiction Link) www. paihdelinkki. fi