The Electronic Age

Some years ago Charles Schultz, the creator of "Peanuts" came up with the idea of the "Lucy Booth."  (Lucy is a bossy kid who usually finds ways to terrorize her brother and others.) Lucy has a sign on her booth saying "Psychiatric Advice,  5 cents." Now, today there is a growing interest in, and availability of, "phone therapy" and "e-mail therapy."  People have taken off on the idea, and today we have the mother of all Lucy Booths: electronic therapy! The testimonials of those involved are quite favorable. But at this time there is no systematic evidence that this is truly a useful service. (There may be evidence some day, but not as yet.) The popularity of call-in talk shows reflects a felt need in our society to turn to "experts" or perhaps just to express oneself  publicly.  People experience all sorts of stresses and feel there are those out there who can help them sort out their problems; at very least, provide them with norms about acceptable behaviors.

What's Appropriate?

As psychotherapy became less and less sacrosanct (in an age of  drive-up marriages?) people are inclined to use less formal ways and more expedient ways for seeking help.  In my view, making professional help widely available is a positive outcome. Nonetheless the application of the new technology raises concerns that we have not yet addressed.  Here are some of my views on the uses and misuses of this communication technology.

 
• In its best usage, clients and phone professionals are brought together for a specific purpose: to evaluate an option, to consulate about a decision, to seek information or input. In the worst usage, I believe expectations are either unclear or not likely to be met. Persons wanting direct advice may do as well by writing to Dear Abby or availing themselves of the popular talk shows. Attempting to evaluate a complex situation in a phone call or by e-mail is asking a lot of both parties.
 
•  How then can such technological communication be helpful? One way is for client and therapist, who already have a relationship, to utilize either phone or e-mail. A phone call or e-mail message can be very useful to both parties when they are building on what they already know of one another. However in view of confidentiality issues I do not think e-mail is a wise choice, disclaimers notwithstanding.

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