Internet-psychotherapie: Wirksamkeit und besonderheiten der therapeutischen beziehung

Abstract

In the present article, online therapy is defined as ongoing, asynchronous, interactive and text-based communication between patient and therapist aimed at a behavioural-based improvement of health. This definition corresponds to the most widely used mode of Internet-based psychological interventions. After a short overview of controlled empirical studies of internet-based interventions, unique features and application modalities are presented. Unique aspects of the therapeutic relationship that are of special interest and potential advantages of the online therapy are considered. Finally, limits and challenges of online therapy are discussed.