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Marriage and Family Therapists’ Use and Comfort with Online Communication with Clients

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Abstract

Despite the growth in computer and Internet use, marriage and family therapists’ (MFT) use of such technologies to communicate with clients has received limited attention. The purpose of the current research was to understand the frequency and ways in which MFTs are communicating online with clients and identify their level of comfort with online treatments. We administered a survey to practicing MFTs across the US to identify the frequency with which they used online communications with their clients, and the extent to which they felt comfortable using online communications in various treatment modalities. Implications for research, training, and practice are discussed.

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Notes

  1. We also collected data on student therapists’ use of technology in their practice, but are limiting the findings in this publication to the data gathered on the professionals.

  2. States included: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Washington.

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Acknowledgments

This project was funded by the Alaska Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marriage and Family Therapy Program, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 453045, Las Vegas, NV, 89154-3045, USA

    Katherine M. Hertlein

  2. Marriage and Family Therapy Program, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI, USA

    Markie L. C. Blumer

  3. Rainbow Family and Child Treatment, Las Vegas, NV, USA

    Justin M. Smith

Authors
  1. Katherine M. Hertlein
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  2. Markie L. C. Blumer
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  3. Justin M. Smith
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Correspondence to Katherine M. Hertlein.

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Hertlein, K.M., Blumer, M.L.C. & Smith, J.M. Marriage and Family Therapists’ Use and Comfort with Online Communication with Clients. Contemp Fam Ther 36, 58–69 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-013-9284-0

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