Practical study in e-mail consultation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to introduce an attempt for electronic mail (e-mail) consultation. E-mail consultation may be applicable for people who are afraid of visiting counseling center, or who can’t visit it for some reasons.

The author set up home page of e-mail consultation service for clients and their family, or friends. This service aimed to “think together” for solving their problem. Through the e-mail communication, the author attempted to clarify how clients were feeling.

Fisty six people sent e-mail and their problems were divided in 6 categories: (a) psychiatric issues (paranoid, care of schizophrenic patient, etc.), (b)psychosomatic problems (headache, pain in stomach, etc.), (c) problems on personality and behavior (phobia, withdrawal, etc.), (d) interpersonal relationship (being divorced, trouble in organization, etc.), (e)life goals (being tired of college life, wondering what life is, etc.), (f) others (how to be clinical psychologist, etc.). Half of them has changed their feelings with e-mail consultation.

Usage of e-mail consultation, some effects, and issue of introducing to other facilities were discussed.