Episode 7 - Fit for purpose? Online work inappropriate for some? A therapist or client decision on ‘fit’?

Show Guests: Dave

In episode 7, the discussion focus on a general assumption that online work is unsuitable for some clients e.g. it is often quoted that it would be inappropriate for those who are in crisis, or suicidal. These are stated without further in depth examination or evidence. How are inappropriateness determined and based on which evidence, evidence translated from face2face studies, if it is...is it comparable? And when we mentioned ‘online helping intervention’ do we need to qualifying specifically what type of online services may be inappropriate or appropriate and for whom. Are counsellors/therapists the only people to determined if it is appropriate or do clients/users have a part to play?. Given that there are various methods of helping underpinned by the various theoretical explanation for certain presenting problems/needs, client groups, gathered from the wealth of face2face literature, does it.. or should this efficacy be taken for granted and assume that it does translate itself directly onto the online environment? Should we question if there are any unique outcomes that is peculiar to online environment having a distinct advantage over face2face etc.

The above provide the framework for us to explore the various related issues and we started our conversation using the contents of an email forwarded by Sue Whitlock who unfortunately were not able to join the show but was keen to share her thoughts on the topic for discussion. This provided us with a starting point for our discussion.

You can contact me at chewalex@hotmail.com to leave your thoughts, views and opinions. You are welcome to leave your comments here. You can contact ACTO, the Association for Counselling and Therapy Online at http://www.acto-uk.org/

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You can also view the recording of the live broadcast of the above episode here

Episode 5 - Creative Arts Therapy Online

Show Guests:
Gill, Rosie, Petrus,

In episode 5, we explore the realm of imagination in healing. If the main processes of Creative Arts Therapy is the working within the imaginative realm to access the healing and growth potential that lies in the unconscious and collective conscious of the psyche, it would seem natural to tap into the imaginative therapeutic space that is offered by cyberspace. To utilise creative arts therapy online is not limited or constrained by the technology but only by ones own imagination to use what is already available and accessible between client and therapist in a creative and novel way. It is not technology that drives creativity, it is creativity that drives technology.

We have come to the end of our first series of five broadcast. A listing of the new schedule will be made available soon and my hope is that maybe you can join us in our future discussions and I look forward to suggestion of themes in online counselling and therapy that you would like to listen to in future broadcasts. You can contact me at chewalex@hotmail.com or leave your comments here. You can contact ACTO, the Association for Counselling and Therapy Online at http://www.acto-uk.org/

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You can also view the recording of the live broadcast of the above episode here

Episode 2 - Virtual Confusion or Integration?

In this episode, the discourse between Gill J and I was focussed on our tentative reflections in our attempt to understand the various online medium available ranging from text, audio, video, whiteboard, avatars etc. We admit we did not wander too far as there was so much just on the medium of text alone. We had an interesting musing as to the possible preferences of counsellors and perhaps how is may be reflected by the personalities of the practitioners of counselling in contrast to the practitioners of dramatherapy. We also touch on the possibility that such preferences of online medium may be a reflection of the sequential development of the technology itself. This is only an initial preliminary foray into a potential subject area that will nevertheless be visited again in future for further exploration and discussion.

Don't forget our next live broadcast and podcast is Sunday 20th January 2008 0900 hours GMT and the theme for discussion is Instant or Planned Availability? - What Is Best For The Online Clients and Counsellor/Therapist? So stick a reminder in your calendar, diary, filofax (hmm...wonder if there are individuals who still carry those around?) PDA, Blueberry, Iphone, etc. etc. Make it your 2008
New Year resolution or the Year of the Rat as the year to join us, just to listen or to participate in the discussion. You can contact me on chewalex@hotmail.com to give feedback, make comments, suggestions etc or just to say hello. You can contact ACTO, the Association for Counselling and Therapy Online http://www.acto-uk.org/

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You can also view the recording of the live broadcast of the above episode here

Episode 1 - Where It’s @?

In this inaugural podcast, we have Gill J, Gill W and Rosie in discussion on what's the current situation with online counselling and therapy. We also cover future possibilities and considered some of the reasons and areas that may be further explored to understand the slow uptake of online counselling and therapy here in UK.

Don't forget our next live broadcast and podcast is Sunday 6^th January 2008 2100 hours GMT and the theme for discussion is Virtual Confusion or Integration? - Text, Audio, Video, Whiteboard, Avatars etc….what’s next…horses for courses? So come join us, just to listen and participate in the discussion. You can contact me on chewalex@hotmail.com I wish all listeners a Merry Xmas, Happy New Year, Seasonal Greetings and see you in the New Year. You can contact ACTO, the Association for Counselling and Therapy Online http://www.acto-uk.org/

Click on the player to listen to the podcast.... or point to icon below and use the right button on your mouse to click and choose 'Save Target As..' to download the Mp3 file

You can also view the recording of the live broadcast of the above episode here