ann. behav. med. (2009) 38:4-17 DOI 10.1007/s12160-009-9130-7 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Defining Internet-Supported Therapeutic Interventions Azy Barak, Ph.D. . Britt Klein, D.Psych. (Clinical) . Judith G. Proudfoot, Ph.D. Published online: 29 September 2009 C The Society of Behavioral Medicine 2009 Abstract Background The field of Internet-supported therapeutic interventions has suffered from a lack of clarity and consistency. The absence of professional leadership and of accepted governing approaches, terminology, professional standards, and methodologies has caused this field to be diffused and unstructured. Numerous terms have been used to label and describe the activities conducted over the Internet for mental and physical health purposes: web-based therapy, e-therapy, cybertherapy, eHealth, e-Interventions, computer-mediated interventions, and online therapy (or counseling), among others. Methods Following a comprehensive review, we concep- tualized Internet-supported interventions, using four cate- gories based on prime practice approaches: web-based interventions, online counseling and therapy, Internet- operated therapeutic software, and other online activities (e.g., as supplements to face-to-face therapy). We provide a working definition and detailed description of each category, accompanied by numerous examples. A. Barak (X) Department of Counseling and Human Development, Faculty of Education, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel e-mail: azy@construct.haifa.ac.il B. Klein Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia J. G. Proudfoot University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia Conclusions These categories may now serve as guiding definitions and related terminologies for further research and development in this emerging field. Introduction The emergence of the Internet and its presence in society- including homes, workplaces, schools, and government- beginning in the mid-1990s introduced great opportunities for the helping professions. More than ever before, professionals in these areas can offer their helping services from a distance with much flexibility in terms of time and methods, and even provide treatment to anonymous people in need, as already documented a decade ago [1-4]. Although the provision of therapeutic interventions through the Internet has encountered considerable amount of oppo- sition, especially on the grounds of ethical-related issues, this means of seeking and obtaining help has flourished. It seems that several factors have been responsible for the growth: increasing acceptability of the Internet as a legitimate social tool; continuous improvement of computer hardware and software (especially in relation to ease of use, privacy protection, and online communication capabilities); develop- ment of specific ethical guidelines by various professional organizations; growing research; and establishment of online training opportunities for professionals. Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/abm/article/38/1/4/4569461 by Swinburne University of Technology user on 23 June 2022 Despite its expansion, the field of Internet-supported interventions has suffered from a lack of clarity and consistency. Scientists and professionals have operated mostly independently with little intercommunication or accepted standards, which has brought about the use of numerous rival terms and applications alike-all of this typical of a pioneering area. Moreover, because of the lack of professional leadership and of accepted governing Springer
ann. behav. med. (2009) 38:4-17 5 approaches, terminology, professional standards, and methodologies, the area has been described as being inconsistent, diffuse, incoherent, and sometimes even perplexing. Numerous terms have been applied to label/describe the