An Investigation of the Use of Internet Based Resources in Support of the Therapeutic Alliance

As the use of multiple methods of communication have become more common experiences in everyday therapeutic practice, the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has emerged as a supportive tactic to strengthen the social presence involved in therapeutic alliance. Traditionally, mental health therapists have had little preparation involving the use of ICT as a part of their practice; the focus has remained on face-to-face interactions. This has led to a belief among many practitioners that the therapeutic alliance cannot be built or maintained in any manner other than face-to-face contact. Investigations have found that relationships can be built and maintained through many varieties of ICT supported affordances that promote social presence. To better understand the role of Internet-based resources as an adjunct to traditional therapy services in the context of therapeutic alliance, fifteen therapists at a community mental health center were offered the opportunity to use a dialect behavior therapy website with their clients to intentionally vary and expand the opportunities for social presence. Qualitative data was collected from clients and therapists to explore how the website was used to support the therapeutic relationship. In this study, the use of the website was found to be a positive influence on therapeutic alliance. Implications from this study indicate that variations in social presence as an adjunct to traditional treatment services may benefit the therapeutic alliance.