Discuss the various types of distant therapies, including how they can be helpful and harmful to the public, the APA's recommendation for media psychologists, and the advantages and limitations of the different types

What will be an ideal response?

Answer will include that on a typical phone-in radio or television show, participants describe
common problems, such as child abuse, marriage, or depression. The media psychologist then
offers reassurance, advice, or suggestions for getting help. This raises the question of whether
it is reasonable to give advice without knowing anything about a person's background. Media
psychologists point out that listeners and viewers may learn solutions to their problems by
hearing others talk. Many mass media therapist also stress that their work is educational, not therapeutic. The American Psychological Association urges media psychologists to discuss problems only of a general nature, instead of actually counseling anyone. For example, if a caller complains about insomnia, the radio psychologist should talk about insomnia in general, not probe the caller's personal life. Of course mass media psychologists must entertain as well as educate. Therefore, most distance therapy is conducted one-on-one via the telephone and the Internet. Regardless of how a therapist and client communicate, the key feature of successful therapy is the establishment of an effective therapeutic alliance, which is a continuing relationship between two people. In this regard, distance therapies are limited by a lack of interpersonal cues, such as facial expressions and body language. For example, brief e-mail messages are no way to make a diagnosis, and facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice cannot reach the e-mail therapist. Typing emotional icons (called emoticons) like little smiley faces or frowns is a poor substitute for real human interaction. However, the Internet continues to provide new communication tools. Widely available and inexpensive technologies, such as Skype, make it easy to create two-way audio-video links that allow a client and therapist to see one another on computer monitors and to talk via speakerphones. Doing therapy this way still lacks the close personal contact of face-to-face interaction. However, the Internet therapist is able to read body language and hear the client's tone of voice. It's very likely that distance services will continue to evolve and become a major source of mental health care in coming years. It is worth noting that distance therapy does have some distinct advantages and disadvantages. For one thing, clients can more easily remain anonymous so that a person who might hesitate to see a psychologist can seek help privately by phone or online. However, e-mail counseling may not be completely confidential since e-mails can be intercepted and misused. In addition, people who live great distances or cannot easily see a therapist in a traditional setting might benefit from distance therapy. Of special concern is the fact that distance therapists may or may not be trained professionals. And even if they are, questions exist about whether a psychologist licensed in one state can legally do therapy in another state via the telephone or the Internet. Lastly, distance therapies are less expensive than traditional therapy and have also shown success in several areas. For example, telephone counseling has helped people quit smoking. Other studies have shown that depressed people benefit from Internet therapy as well as people with social phobias and panic disorders.