Elevating the Art of Online Therapy

While research clearly indicates that online therapy is as effective as face to face, many therapists have never been exposed to the array of tools available to potential add to treatment efficacy. This course provides best practices, tools, and techniques for delivering effective therapy in a virtual setting. The presenters, co-editors of the Routledge publication Advances in Online Therapy: Emergence of a New Paradigm, provide insight into the unique challenges and opportunities of online therapy, based on empirical studies and decades of clinical expertise. They demonstrate how to adapt various techniques such as appropriate self-disclosure, use of technology, use of flexibility and creativity and mindfulness to the online format.

The course is adopted from two online webinars given by presenters who come from different theoretical orientations (i.e., acceptance and commitment therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy). The presenters discuss topics such as building rapport and trust with clients, maximizing the online setting, and utilizing digital tools and platforms to enhance the delivery of therapy online. Practical tips and strategies are described that mental health professionals can apply to their own practice.

Although audio and transcripts are provided, watching the video presentation is strongly recommend given that many techniques are demonstrated throughout.