Online Text-based Counselling: Reflections of a Technophobe.

Abstract

Online counselling services are developing steadily in many parts of the world, including New Zealand. This is a new area of practice and inquiry in New Zealand, and research is needed to identify whether findings from other countries are applicable to a New Zealand context. In this article, an online practitioner's UKbased experience is linked to some recent empirical studies. The growth of Internet usage in New Zealand and the call for more innovative and proactive approaches to counselling are suggested to be prompts for considering online services as a way of widening access to support for those who cannot or do not seek traditional face-to-face services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of New Zealand Journal of Counselling is the property of New Zealand Association of Counsellors and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)