[The therapeutic alliance in internet-based therapy procedures: an overview]

Nervenarzt. 2013 Jul;84(7):823-31. doi: 10.1007/s00115-012-3659-6.
[Article in German]

Abstract

There has been an increased use of modern information and communication technology in healthcare services in recent years; however, little is yet known about the nature of the therapeutic alliance in internet-based interventions. This review aims to give a systematic overview of controlled evaluation studies with a focus on the nature and impact of the therapeutic alliance in internet-based interventions available to date. The results of internet-based randomized controlled trials indicate that a positive therapeutic alliance can be established regardless of the medium of communication. The therapeutic alliance was rated equally satisfying as in conventional face-to-face therapy.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Evidence-Based Medicine*
  • Humans
  • Internet*
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*
  • Psychotherapy / methods*
  • Telemedicine / methods*
  • Therapy, Computer-Assisted / methods*