The use of technology in several aspects of service provision – and particularly that of using the Internet to communicate with clients directly for the purpose of therapy – is an established and growing method of delivery. This workshop offers an introduction to online therapy, suitable for all theoretical orientations and levels of service provision, showing how online work can be integrated effectively into existing practice.
Kate Anthony will invite participants to explore their attitudes to working online and look at the differences and similarities to more traditional ways of working. She will take participants through the different types of technology being used in therapy, explain the theoretical model, demonstrate how online therapy works for both email and Internet Relay Chat with experiential exercises, and discuss the ethical implications inherent in working online with particular regard to social networking for professionals. Part of the day will be dedicated to couple counseling online.
Aims of the day:
• to give us confidence in relation to the use of technology
• to raise awareness of the ethics of online work
• to consider the particular issues related to counselling couples online.
Learning outcomes:
By the end of the day participants will:
• be aware of the range of technological interventions available
• understand the online therapeutic relationship
• understand the basics of online etiquette and written communication
• be aware of some of the pitfalls of social networking in the counseling profession
• have considered the ethical considerations of working online
• have had experiential learning of working with online clients
• have considered how couple counselling online could be conducted.
Teaching Format
A combination of presentations, discussion, and experiential smaller group work.
Presenter:
Kate is a Fellow of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and developed and co-authored three editions of the Guidelines for Online Counselling and Psychotherapy, including Guidelines for Online Supervision. She is co-editor of Technology in Counselling and Psychotherapy – A Practitioners Guide, The Use of Technology in Mental Health: Applications, Ethics and Practice and co-author of Therapy Online [a practical guide]. She is also Past-President and Fellow of the International Society for Mental Health Online. She trains and consults on using technology in Mental Health as CEO of www.onlinetherapyinstitute.com. Free membership of the Institutes social network is at www.onlinetherapysocialnetwork.com, where over 450 professionals meet to discuss online therapy and use the Institute’s free resources.
Please contact Alice Still or Diana Reilly for more information.
Alice.still@relationships-scotland.org.uk
Diana.reilly@relationships-scotland.org.uk
Date:
Tuesday 9th March 2010
Time:
9.45am for 10.00am – 4.00pm
Venue:
Relationships Scotland
18 York Place, Edinburgh
Cost for Members of RS Network:
£75 to include training materials, sandwich lunch and refreshments.
Cost for Non-Members:
£115 as above.
Participants:
For relationship counsellors, sex therapists, and managers of services.
