Pros and cons of internet based assessments in MHC

Running Head : Internet Counseling

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Many people who are depressed for one reason or the other looks for someone or something that can help them relieve their pain . The counselors have played a very important role in the society in helping the depressed to overcome this , and be able to live a normal life However , there are many other people who need to be counseled , yet they are afraid to face the counselors . This has left many deserving people to continue suffering with the

problems that would have been averted by counseling

The use of the computer and especially the internet has played a big role in the counseling . Many people especially the youth are using the internet frequently , and are ready to open up while chatting and express their feelings . Therefore , the internet provides a good opportunity to help those suffering and feeling lonely (Rochlen , Beretvas Zack 2004 . The lonely people more so can find the chatting and emailing to be their lifeline . These kinds of people usually prefer this mode of communication . There are cases when a counselor can receive emails from a desperate person concerning the life they are going through , openly However , the moment the counselor asks these people that they meet face to face , many stops communicating . Therefore , this shows how important these people take the internet communication (Rochlen , Beretvas Zack 2004

There are many advantages that come with the use of the internet in counseling . First , since the people communicating do not see each other the person will feel free to talk about their problems without holding back . This anonymity is what many people who are depressed seek to have while looking for the solution of their problems . Furthermore , a person may feel more comfortable receiving the counseling with a lot of privacy . This can be attained in a person 's house via the use of the internet . At many times , many people feel more comfortable when they write about their problems like in the emails or chatting , rather than verbally talking about them . This is a very important aspect as it will enable the counselor to be able to get all the required information from the patient , hence bringing the solution to the problems the patient is facing in a quicker way than having to wait until the time they have to talk

The emails and chat transcripts are not immediately deleted , hence this can give a patient the chance of re-reading the communication they had with the counselor , making them to understand and take up what has been passed forward . Furthermore , there are other problems that are considered by the patient as being an embarrassment and they can not thus look the counselor in the eyes while talking . This can make the patient feel uncomfortable , and not be open with the problem . However this cannot be the case in the emailing or chatting

Despite these many advantages there are still many problems that are associated with using the...