Benefits/Challenges List

Compare your answers to these lists. How many in each list were similar to yours? Are you surprised by any of these items that you did not have on your list? 

We can discuss any questions you may have at this week's live session.

 

Additional Benefits:

  • Makes services accessible to students in rural areas and those who are disabled or homebound and have access to a computer and the Internet.

  • Provides anonymity, allowing students who are reluctant to seek an in-person interview to obtain services.

  • Encourages self-expression and removes the social stigma associated with seeking mental health services. Students may feel more comfortable opening up and revealing sensitive issues.

  • Provides supportive services to students who may be experiencing temporary mental distress or who are high functioning.

  • Serves as an important educational tool to help students learn more about psychological health.

  • Is convenient to use and is accessible 24 hours a day.

  • Can be an inexpensive way to deliver and receive services.

  • Can be appropriate for screening and follow-up care.

 

Other Challenges:

  • Does not ensure confidentiality. Firewalls and other forms of security measures do not always protect privacy. Site visits and information may be collected and tracked by e-commerce and others. This also opens the counselor to high risk of allegations of malpractice based on breach of confidentiality.
  • Creates a high potential for misunderstanding of scripted information, which can result in malpractice exposure for incorrect diagnosis or treatment.
  • Cannot ensure the true identity of students who may misrepresent themselves or separate their online selves from their offline selves.
  • Makes it easy to conceal emotions and information, which makes appropriate treatment and intervention difficult to accomplish.
  • Is absent of nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, tone of voice, body language or physical appearance. These signals can often be quite telling and give the counselor a clear picture of feelings, thoughts, moods, and behaviors. Some delivery methods such as voice-over-Internet technology and video chats can provide a clearer picture of the situation, but they often lack intimacy and intricacy that real-world interactions possess.
  • Is limited to patients who can write expressively.
  • Many states do not allow out-of-state providers. In such cases, counselor would need to be licensed in both their home state as well as student’s home state.
  • Compromises quality services due to lack of face-to-face intervention.
  • Is inappropriate with high-risk students that require close and direct treatment. It is also inappropriate for those with complicated or detailed problems. The scope of therapy tends to be limited, so it is rarely effective in more complex situations.
  • Difficulty responding to crisis situations. As counselors are at a distance from the student it is difficult to respond quickly and effectively when a crisis happens. If a student is experiencing suicidal thoughts or has suffered from a personal tragedy, it can be difficult or even impossible for the counselor to provide direct assistance.
  • Excludes students who do not have the financial resources to gain access to the Internet.
  • May delay or interfere with services because of incompatible computer equipment and computer crashes.