title: An empirical examination of client attitudes towards online counseling.
abstract: Trends over the past decade have shown that online counseling has grown in terms of popularity among consumers and clinicians alike; however, little, if any empirical evidence exists that examines client attitudes towards online counseling as alternative to traditional face-to-face therapy. Therefore, this study investigated client attitudes towards online counseling. Data was collected from 48 e-clients who received online counseling at the Center for Online Addiction. Variables such as client perceptions and concerns about using online counseling, clients' reasons for seeking online counseling over in-office treatment, and demographic profiles of e-clients were assessed. Results suggested that Caucasian, middle-aged males, with at least a four-year bachelors degree were most likely to use online counseling and anonymity, convenience, and counselor credentials were the most cited reasons they sought online counseling over in-office treatment. The lack of perceived privacy and security during online chat sessions and the fear of being caught while conducting online sessions were the main concerns reported by e-clients. A better understanding of client motives and perceptions towards online counseling helps to guide treatment in using the Internet as a clinical tool, especially as the Internet becomes increasingly more available in previously remote markets and the field of online counseling continues to grow.
authors.affiliation: Department of Management Sciences, St. Bonaventure University School of Business and Center for Online Addiction, St. Bonaventure, New York 14778, USA. kyoung@sbu.edu
authors.forename: Kimberly S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003219:Confidentiality; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*