Online counseling is also filling the unmet need for clients located in areas traditionally under-served by traditional counselors. Rural residents and expats along with under-served minorities often have an easier time finding a suitable therapist online than in their local communities.[2] These access issues are solved with online counseling resources and result in clients receiving culturally or linguistically relevant treatment that they would not have otherwise been able to receive. African Americans tend to have an elevated rate of stress-related diseases and have lower access to traditional face-to-face treatments.[5]
Online counseling has also been shown to be effective for clients who may have difficulty reaching appointments during normal business hours. [6] Additionally, research is demonstrating that online counseling may be useful for disabled and rural people that traditionally under-utilize clinical services. [2]
Effectiveness
Some in the psychology community have argued that online therapy can never replace traditional face-to-face therapy.[7] Research from G.S. Stofle and J. suggests that online counseling would benefit people functioning at a moderately high level.[8][9] Severe situations such as suicidal ideation or a psychotic episode might be better served by traditional face-to-face methods. [10] Although further research may prove otherwise.[2]
Cohen and Kerr conducted a study on the effectiveness of online therapy for treatment of anxiety disorders in students and found that there was no difference in the level of change for the two modes as measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.[11]
As the main goal of counseling is to alleviate the distress, anxiety or concerns experienced by a client when he or she enters therapy, online counseling has strong efficacy under that definition.[2] Client satisfaction surveys tend to demonstrate a