Frequently Asked Questions

1.  How can you treat Internet addiction using the Internet?

Many question the utility of offering on-line counseling to those addicted to the Internet. The common argument is "Isn’t it like holding an AA meeting at a bar."  It is important to emphasize that Internet addicts and their families complain that they have been unsuccessful in finding local treatment programs, support groups, or individual therapists who are familiar with Internet addiction.  Since this is a relatively new and unrecognized disorder, many therapists minimize the impact the Internet has on an individual and therefore do not address this issue as part of the treatment. Therefore, our Virtual Clinic makes access to knowledgeable professionals immediately available no matter where you live.

2.  How do you treat Internet addiction?

The treatment for Internet addiction isn’t to totally eliminate it from your life. Use of the Internet is legitimate in business and home practice. Therefore, traditional abstinence models are not practical interventions when they prescribe banned Internet use, especially if you need to use the Internet for work or school.  Interventions focus on finding ways to moderate and control your (or a loved one’s) use of the Internet. Counseling identifies the underlying emotional and behavioral triggers which compel you (or a loved one) to compulsively use the Internet and teaches new ways of coping.  Therefore, our counseling service does not reinforce your need to be on-line but rather it helps to empower you to take control over your Internet habit.

3.  What are the advantages of using the Internet-based counseling?

There are several advantages for email and live chat counseling. First, it is a convenient mental health service as you do not need to leave your home or office in order to coordinate an appointment around your busy schedule.  This service allows you to arrange chat sessions when its most convenient for you and you can respond to email sessions at your leisure.  Second, many people find that the act of writing lends itself to a more honest exploration of one's feelings than speaking to someone in person.  Therefore, clients are less self-conscious making online sessions more effective.  Finally, both the online and telephone counseling sessions are completely private, therefore you need not fear that someone will see you come out of a psychotherapy clinic.

4.  What if I can't find a local therapist to help me?

Our Virtual Clinic has helped many to sort out a messy-cyberaffair, control their compulsive chatting, or deal with an addiction to online pornography.  At first, many of our clients struggled to find local mental health professionals familiar with Internet-related issues before discovering our clinic.  Some lived in rural areas without access to many professionals while others were too embarrassed to seek help for "being addicted to their computer."   They feared being laughed at by their therapist.  We are proud to say that our Virtual Clinic has been helping people like yourself to find the professional guidance they need without fear of such embarrassment.   

5.  What are the limits to client-confidentiality?

Although the Internet is not a completely secure environment, session data is kept confidential.  The law requires that all mental health professionals report incidences of child and elder abuse and the intent to harm self or others.

6.  Is online counseling the same as psychotherapy?

The practice of online counseling is not meant to replace face-to-face psychotherapy.  Counseling is defined more generally as guidance and direct advice with a focus on brief, solution-oriented treatment.   Psychotherapy tends to involve a more intensive interaction and a long-term commitments from both parties.  

7.  What if I need help, but I am a minor?

Minors can seek help at the Virtual Clinic, but written parental permission is required.

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