Computer-Mediated Counseling

Abstract

Although several mental health professionals now offer counseling via the Internet, little empirical research exists on how this mode of delivery impacts clients. The current study compares the effects of computer-mediated counseling and traditional face-to-face counseling on anxiety and attitudes toward counseling. While clients demonstrated a significant decrease in anxiety following each mode of delivery, their anxiety was not significantly impacted by the mode of delivery they received. In addition, participants' ratings of counselors on expertness, attractiveness, and trustworthiness were not affected by mode of delivery. These findings warrant further exploration of how computer-mediated counseling might be effectively used as an alternative or an adjunct to face-to-face counseling.