Introduction

Abstract

The idea of technology intervening in some way in the counselling or psychotherapeutic process seems to provoke strong reactions. In preparing this book, we have been aware of the absence of consensus within the profession on the technological applications that our contributors discuss. Some have welcomed unreservedly the idea of providing counselling and psychotherapy through technological media of one kind or another. For them, the idea seems like a natural means by which a client might contact a practitioner. They see few problems beyond translating their previous reliance on primarily verbal communication skills into the new context and, tentatively, explore what possibilities there may be. Some of our colleagues even express surprise and exasperation that it is not generally accepted already. Others, however, take the opposite position; without the full range of inflection and the subtle nuances in verbal and non-verbal communication it must surely be impossible or even dangerous, they suggest, to provide therapy when client and practitioner are many miles apart and perhaps never meet face to face at all. Some will dismiss the idea out of hand. Some are merely sceptical and wait to be convinced.