Online counselling: The motives and experiences of young people who choose the Internet instead of face to face or telephone counselling

Abstract

This study used a Consensual Qualitative Research methodology to explore the motivations and experiences of young people who utilize the Internet for counselling over other counselling media. Semi-structured online group interviews (focus groups) were conducted with 39 participants from the Kids Help Line, a 24-hour national telephone and counselling service located in Australia. Analysis revealed five domains relevant to the adolescents' motives and experiences and the frequency of categories within and across cases were analyzed to generate and understand themes and patterns. Specific motivators and barriers are identified and discussed, as are implications for practice and continued research.

Comparing Online and Face-to-Face Student Counselling: What Therapeutic Goals Are Identified and What Are the Implications for Educational Providers?

“…Young users report that they find the online environment safe and feel less exposed, confronted and stigmatised (e.g. Hanley, 2012;King, Bambling, Lloyd, et al, 2006). Therefore, the anonymity of online counselling helps to ease the discomfort of making what can be perceived as embarrassing disclosures.…”

“…For instance, practical concerns are noted around the infrastructure needed for such practice (Callahan & Inckle, 2012;Hanley, 2006) and the delivery of effective therapeutic interventions are also raised. In relation to the latter, King, Bambling, Reid, and Thomas (2006) and King, Bambling, Lloyd, et al (2006) report user concerns over the counsellor's ability to grasp their feelings (and vice versa), the limited exchange time in text format within the time constraints, and the loss of immediacy in online practices. Therefore, although online counselling for young people is still an emerging field, it is an arena that is growing at pace and in need of further consideration.…”

Psicoterapia pela Internet: viável ou inviável?

“…Não apenas adultos podem beneficiar-se da psicoterapia pela internet mas também adolescentes e crianças (March, Spence, & Donovan, 2009;Spence et al, 2011). O anonimato pode auxiliar na busca de atendimento psicológico de pessoas introvertidas, com transtorno de ansiedade, como agorafobia e fobia social, com problemas de imagem corporal (Leibert, Archer Jr., Munson, & York, 2006), bem como de adolescentes e usuários de substâncias (Gainsbury & Blaszczynski, 2011;Hanley, 2009;King et al, 2006). Apesar de oferecer diversas vantagens como disponibilidade, conveniência, acessibilidade, baixo custo, anonimato, privacidade e redução de estigma (Cartreine, Ahern, & Locke, 2010), a psicoterapia pela internet requer maiores estudos para uma melhor compreensão de seus efeitos.…”

Beyond experimentation. Online strategies in social services

“…and so on put them at high risk of social exclusion (Goussey, 2009;Serrien, 2009). In addition to their already vulnerable situation, young people face specific barriers when contacting health and welfare services (Owens et al, 2002;King et al, 2006). These barriers are both structural, such as opening hours, travel time, cost, and personal such as the young person being overwhelmed by the unfamiliar issues (King et al, 2006;.…”

“…Research indicates that the internet is an important source of health information for adolescents (Gray, Klein, Noyce, Sesselberg & Cantrill, 2005). In fact, as internet use is becoming the norm for young people, web-based mental health services will become increasingly important in improving the well-being of youngsters (Borzekowski & Rickert, 2001;King, Bambling, Lloyd, Gomurra, Smith, Reid & Wegner, 2006). (Mendonck, Delbeke, Cautaers & Van Menxel, 2009;Mendonck, 2010;Kinder-en Jongerentelefoon, 2010).…”