Will Viritual Reality replace the Brick and Mortar of Counseling?

Michael Ventura's article, "Screenworld" (Psychotherapy Network, Jan/Feb 2009) talked about the differences and impact of cyberspace on the traditional brick and mortar style of counseling.

It is true that more and more people are using the internet for a variety of reasons. Some people find comfort in engaging in social networks such as facebook and myspace as a way of connecting with each other and meeting new people. Others enjoy participating in a variety of interactive computer games that can be discerning, particulary, for children and teens engaging in violent and competitive games with each other. The internet can also provide valuable educational opportunities for adults to take college classes online and to click on to other websites that can provide informal learning opportunities based upon an individual's interest area.

The question is "Will counseling lose its effectiveness for people wanting to meet their counselor in person? In an office setting, a client gets the three dimensional view of interacting with their counselor as opposed to the one dimensional view in cyberspace. While the former can provide a warm environment by its smells, its touch, its sight, its taste, and personal connection from a caring professional, how can counselors make the latter similar and inviting?

Maybe a little bit of both is the answer as the client and the counselor can benefit and compromise from each domain. However, one greatest challenge facing the profession is the lack of insurance reimbursements for seeing clients through cyberspace. How many clients are willing to privately pay to engage in treatment over the internet? I am glad though that the profession has developed ethics and guidelines for internet therapy.

What do you think? Can you imagine conducting therapy through facebook and myspace? What will become of the profession in the next few years and decade?

Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
http://www.therapistsforchange.blogspot.com/