Online counseling: The good, the bad, and the possibilities

Online counseling is becoming more and more pervasive. Some see this trend as positive while others are concerned with the quality and ethical issues related to providing counseling online. This article reviews the pros and cons of providing counseling services online, and whether practitioners and researchers are for or against such practice. It recognizes that it is not only occurring, but it also will likely increase in prevalence regardless of the potential drawbacks. The case is made that since it is here to stay, we should study the phenomenon because, good or bad, it provides a unique opportunity to study counseling and psychotherapy.