Communication Technology to Deliver Psychosexual Therapy - Essay Example

? The therapist’s perspective of using modern communication technology to deliver psychosexual therapy Most therapists have embraced the opportunities availed by modern communication technology; they use it to help clients deal with psychosexual issues. This paper will examine the therapist’s perspective of using modern communication technology to deliver psychosexual therapy. The paper will explore the perception of the therapist while working with couples in a synchronised environment using modern communication technology. Moreover, the paper will focus on the therapist’s perception of working with sexual issues using modern communication technology. The paper will also address the therapist’s perception of the challenges, strengths of process, and the effectiveness of psychosexual therapy delivered using modern communication technology. Examples of modern communication technology to be discussed in the paper include mobile phones and computers with the use of Skype, Internet, video conferences and video calls, social networking and instant text messaging. The therapist’s perspective of using modern communication technology to deliver psychosexual therapy Introduction The rapid advancement of technology over the last decades has heralded a significant change in the development of technological applications in psychotherapy. The use of modern technology in psychological counselling has become extremely common and popular in the world of today. This has seen widespread usage of modern technological devices in the world of psychotherapy. The various psychological devices used in the world of psychotherapy and psychological counselling include computer-administered therapy, self-help Internet sites, virtual reality therapy, adjunctive palmtop computer therapy, and the use of biofeedback through physiological monitoring (Gladding, 2004). Therapists prefer to use technology owing to the various advantages and benefits that it offers. Technology contributes significantly to giving clients feedback regarding what causes or contributes to their problems and their response to the therapy administered by the practitioner. Therapists have employed the use of technology such as computers, video calls, instant text messaging, among others in counselling couples who have psychosexual problems. What is Psychosexual Therapy? According to Evans (2008), psychosexual therapy is part of marriage counselling where the therapist works with two people in a relationship. As part of marriage counselling, psychosexual therapy aims at assisting couples to understand their conflicts and resolve them with an aim of improving their relationship. At the end of the counselling sessions, the couples should have gained the ability for better communication, problem solving capacities, and know how they can negotiate their differences. During the counselling sessions, the couples get help from the therapist about sexual issues and other essential issues in the relationship. Some of the issues addressed during marriage counselling encompass anger, sex problems, illness as well as problems in communication. To manage the resulting stress and conflicts, couple counselling through psychosexual therapy becomes very essential. Psychosexual therapy entails some form of treatment by qualified practitioners addressing emotional problems or sexual dysfunctions in a relationship. Psychosexual counselling helps solve the problems, which may be causing distress to a couple in a marriage or partners in a relationship. As a behavioural programme, psychosexual counselling explores and discusses the sexual problems openly and dwells on the emotional blocks that the couple has. Some of the issues addressed through psychosexual therapy in men include premature ejaculation, erectile failure, as well as retarded ejaculation. The key dysfunctions encountered by women encompass orgasmic dysfunction, dyspareunia, and vaginismus (Mcleod, 2009). The therapists have their own perceptions while working with couples in a synchronised environment with the use of modern communication technology. What is a therapist’s perception of working with couples (two people) in a synchronised environment using modern communication technology? At first, psychosexual counsellors may not embrace the idea of communication technology in administering therapy to clients; they may feel uncomfortable with the idea. They may encounter discomfort arising from the perception that technology can affect the development of a professional relationship. However, therapists have realized the need to incorporate modern communication technology while helping couples deal with sexual problems (Evans, 2008). While working with couples using communication technology, therapists perceive that many clients are likely to participate. For instance, research shows that computer-administered sexual therapy has proven to be efficient and effective since it helps clients who may encounter panic in the counselling process. Gladding (2004) contends that psychosexual counselling/therapy calls for the handling of clients with a lot of professionalism as well as sensitivity. As such, therapists have to take the necessary measures to address the needs of the couple in an appropriate manner. Through the use of modern communication technology, the counsellor may arrange for sessions that will allow the collection of questions regarding the personal history, behaviour, as well as sexual feelings of the couple in order to help in the assessment. To therapists, couples in a synchronised environment can speak about difficult sexual issues when modern communication technology is employed in marriage counselling. Thus, therapists perceive that the use of modern communication technology allows couples to speak about issues that may be causing them embarrassment or even shame. As Lester (2002) notes, therapists also perceive that the use of modern communication technology helps clients to receive adequate information on sexual functioning. Internet counselling and online platforms provide more information regarding how best one can deal with their relationship issues. For instance, through modern communication technology, some therapists provide information on sexual functioning and how a couple can improve their lives and overcome sexual issues. This helps to solve the problems in a relationship through the various resources that counsellors provide online. Therapists agree that online counselling serves to link the couple with physicians who can offer help on sexual difficulties and relationship issues. Psychosexual counsellors have the perception that couples have a high likelihood for compliance while using communication technology in administering psychosexual therapy. Since the clients link with the therapists through the media such as Internet, Skype, and use of mobile phones, the couple will have more confidence to explain their issues to the therapist. This means that the couple will most likely comply with the therapy administered by the therapist. As such, therapists perceive that the use of communication technology in psychosexual therapy creates an avenue for couples to accept and embrace full compliance to the therapy recommended (Kraus, Sticker & Preyer, 2010). Psychosexual therapy calls for confidence on the part of the couple, failure to which the counselling process may not be successful. The therapist perceives that the use of communication technology to deal with problems faced by a couple allows them to have confidence in the counselling process. In cases where the therapist uses direct approach with the couple, the couple may lack the courage to speak about their issues. Some couples may feel ashamed to visit the therapist’s office and expose their problems to the therapists (Kock, 2010). To therapists, this shortcoming can be addressed through the use of communication technology. Therapists contend that communication technology offers a perfect opportunity for couples undergoing psychosexual therapy to feel free while speaking about their problems. Therefore, therapists perceive that communication technology allows couples to reveal all the information needed in the psychosexual counselling process without hiding any information from the therapist (Pachis et al., 2001). Lundberg (2000) notes that therapists are of the opinion that the use of modern communication technology in psychosexual therapy heralds equal rates of satisfaction as the use of traditional approaches. Couples talk about what is ailing their relationship to the therapist while the therapist recommends the best therapy that can be of assistance to the couple. As the therapy progresses, the couple gets to know how they can deal with their issues using the assistance they get from the therapist. The therapist can evaluate the couple and know the progress they are making in dealing with their problems. In addition, the therapist gets to know what has not taken place as recommended and helps couples to follow the suggestions appropriately. As the therapy comes to an end, the couple will have gained what they wanted to gain from the counselling process. The other perception that a therapist has while working with a couple using modern communication technology encompasses the fact that they will collect information of high quality and quantity. The use of technology such as the Internet and exchanging information through emails provides an opportunity for couples to hide their identity. Some couples may not want to reveal their identity to the therapist for fear of feeling ashamed. In addition, some may fear getting noticed by other internet users, especially in the social media. In such an instance, therapists believe that the use of social networking sites enables couples to speak more about their problems. Therefore, the therapists will be armed with more comprehensive information about the couple than it would be the case if the clients have fear and cannot come out to talk openly about their problems (Nelson, 2008). While using modern communication technology to solve problems faced by couples in a synchronised environment, therapists perceive that they can be able to offer immediate and quick responses to their clients. Platforms that avail such chances encompass the use social networking media such as Skype and Video conferencing. The counsellors offer one-on-one solutions to problems faced by the couples while using these platforms. In addition, it becomes possible for therapists to set up web pages, which can be used as reference guides by couples (Suler, 2000). The couple will have the opportunity to borrow information that can be of assistance to them from other people. This stems from the fact that other couples may post about their experiences in marriage. Therapists also have the perception that the use of modern communication technology in counselling of couples helps in the management of the records. Modern information and communication technology has availed opportunities for the introduction of software programs. According to therapists, this aids in the documentation as well as the managing of the clients’ records. As a result, this plays an essential role in the conceptualization of cases, planning of the intervention method, and the overall treatment of the problems faced by the couple. To therapists, the use of modern technology in psychosexual therapy is perceived as one of the ways through which there can be generation of quick interventions (Tyler & Sabella, 2004). Therapists are of the perception that psychosexual therapy using the telephone encompasses a successful interaction between the therapist and the couple. This enables the couple and the therapist to communicate by hearing, especially through audio devices. The counselling of couples using modern communication technology may also involve the use of chats in the Internet. Therapists have the perception that this enables the couples and the therapists to communicate through the use of texts, which can be read with a lot of ease (Phil, 2011). Psychosexual therapists also use video-based counselling of couples through the internet; this allows for the interaction in a synchronous distance by the use of what can be heard and seen through video. Counsellors contend that the use of modern communication technology in counselling involves confidentiality. The perception of the therapists is that they do follow appropriate procedures while dealing with couples. This ensures that information regarding the couple cannot be accessed by other internet users (Finn, 2002). What is a therapist’s perception of working with sexual issues using modern communication technology? The use of modern communication technology to address sexual issues heralds some perceptions in the therapists who use these modern forms of technology. First, addressing sexual issues using modern communication technology heralds some revolution in psychosexual therapy. According to therapists, communication technology revolutionalizes the provision of services to clients. The communication systems mushroom and spread all over the world, with the use of computers, electronic mail, and long distance phone calls become common in today’s psychosexual therapy. Therapists contend that, unlike the past, most of the sexual issues faced by people today can be addressed through the use of modern communication technologies (Bond, 2000). A therapist also perceives that the use of modern communication technology while dealing with sexual issues helps in cognitive behavioural therapy. This stems from the fact the input of the client helps to come up with treatment decisions, which are based on the sexual issues faced by the clients. Addressing sexual issues using modern communication technology brings out these issues comprehensively. Sexual issues can be easily explained through the use of modern communication technology, which avails ample chances for communication between the clients and the therapist (Evans, 2008). Communication can be regarded as an essential component of any psychological counselling, inclusive of psychosexual counselling while dealing with sexual issues. As such, therapists perceive modern communication technology as necessary in addressing sexual issues faced by the clients. According to studies conducted by Bond (2000), therapist also perceives that working with sexual issues using modern communication technology serves as an indication of how many people have embraced modernity. Communication technology has become an essential part of every aspect of life; almost all human interactions are based on modern communication technology. Therefore, a therapist has the perception that psychosexual counselling should not be exempted from the use of modern technology. To therapists, the use of the Internet, Skype, video conferencing, as well as instant text messaging can be regarded as reliable avenues of addressing sexual issues. The ease of reach accorded by these modern communication technologies enables therapists to deliver psychosexual therapy with a lot of effectiveness. Thus, therapists have the perception that the use of modern communication technology in delivering therapy on sexual issues is of absolute necessity. The other perception that therapists have about the use of modern communication technology to address sexual issues is that, in the world of today, people have gained courage to speak about their sexual issues through such platforms as the social media. Unlike the past when the use of communication technology was not common in counselling, nowadays people can talk about their sexual issues through communication forums. As such, it becomes appropriate to use platforms such as Skype, Internet and e-mail, and text messaging in sexual therapy (Day & Schneider, 2002). Nowadays, people can interact with therapists and talk about their sexual issues for longer hours through the use of modern technology as compared with face to face communication. According to therapists, this creates a great opportunity for people to speak more about their sexual issues, thus aiding the therapist to come up with the most comprehensive therapy and solutions to the problems faced by the clients. A therapist also has the perception that the use of modern communication technology in counselling aligns with the need of the clients served. For therapists, addressing sexual issues by counselling through information technology supplements the dependence on face-to-face communication. As a result, this provides an avenue for access to therapy based on convenience as well as the necessity. To therapists, the use of modern communication technology in counselling enables the elimination of barriers related to long distance from services offered by counsellors (Khosrow-Pour, 2006). In helping clients deal with their sexual issues, the geographical separation of a couple, disability, as well as the lack of physical mobility due to disability enables a therapist to provide therapy even from a distance. Moreover, a therapist views that dealing with sexual issues through modern communication technology will enable the counsellor to undertake sessions of counselling outside service delivery hours as compared to traditional modes of counselling. Therapists are of the perception that this enhances convenience as the client does not have to travel to the counsellor’s premises. Sexual issues can disturb clients at odd hours of the night or at a time when they cannot book an appointment with the therapist. The use of modern communication technology in psychosexual counselling ensures that such clients can access the services of the therapist when need arises (Childress, 2000). The sensitivity of sexual issues calls for the use of modern communication technology to solve them, as opposed to high reliance on traditional counselling methods. According to Goss & Antony (2003), a therapist perceives that the use of modern communication technology to address sexual issues enables clients to explain every detail of their problem. For instance, through the internet or text messaging, people can reveal more about their sexual issues. This emanates from the fact that people can freely and fully express themselves in writing, a thing that may not be possible when they interact one on one with the therapist. Sometimes, clients may shy away to talk about their sexual issues in the physical presence of the therapist. However, when given an opportunity to speak about these issues using modern communication technology, they tend to talk more about themselves. This way, the therapist knows more about the underlying causes of the sexual issues of clients and can develop the appropriate strategies to deal with these issues. The therapist’s perception of working with sexual issues using modern communication technology encompasses the fact technology is a requirement, especially in today’s society. As a requirement in counselling, modern communication technology enables therapists to maintain a viable position while dealing with sexual issues. Therapists are of the opinion that the practice of psychosexual therapy online can be regarded as inevitable. Online psychosexual therapy and use of other modern communication technology devices in counselling enables clients, especially those who may be unwilling to meet the counsellor, to have access to counselling on sexual issues. Therefore, a therapist views that the practice of psychotherapy in the modern world should incorporate the inclusion of modern communication technology in counselling (Gail, 2008). Zack (2002) conducted studies, which revealed that a therapist also perceives that the reliance on modern communication technology in dealing with sexual issues can be used by first-time clients. This may include cases of clients who fear the stigma associated with psychotherapy, anxiety in addressing sexual issues, and the physical inconveniences of therapy sessions. Therapists argue that the anonymity provided by modern communication technology necessitates addressing sexual issues using technology. The initial therapeutic relationship accorded by modern communication technology serves to facilitate entry into in-person treatment of sexual issues. What is a therapist’s perception of the challenges and strengths of process and the effectiveness of psychosexual therapy delivered by using modern communication technology? Therapists agree that there may be some challenges encountered while using modern communication technology in delivering psychosexual therapy. This occurs amid the benefits derived while using modern communication technology, as well as the effectiveness of psychosexual therapy delivered using modern communication technology (Zack, 2002). The challenges, strengths of the process while using communication technology and effectiveness are as discussed below. Challenges of psychosexual therapy delivered using modern communication technology The process of delivering psychosexual therapy using modern communication technology may encounter some challenges, which may emanate from several factors. One of the challenges that therapists perceive may be encountered includes the breach of confidentiality, especially while using emails. Email may be intercepted while in transit, thus affecting the content of the message intended to reach either the therapist or the client (Abney & Maddux, 2004). Clients should, therefore, need to understand and evaluate the breach in confidentiality before they choose to engage in online psychosexual therapy. This breach of confidentiality may also result from the failure to adopt encryption technology, which plays a significant role in improving email communication security. Another challenge of couple counselling using modern communication technology emanates from couple fit. While using modern communication technology to deliver psychosexual therapy, the counsellor seeks to know how the couple got attracted to one another. A couple can only get attracted to the other if there happens to be some fit in their worlds. Couple fit is what makes a partner to involuntarily choose the other. Couple fit calls for intimacy between two people in a relationship; an intimate relationship means that each of the partners likes what the other does. As such, psychosexual therapy using modern communication can only be successful when there is couple fit. Lack of couple fit hinders the success of the therapeutic process (Tidwell & Walther, 2002). The incompatibility between the couple may make it hard for the counsellor to deliver psychosexual therapy using modern communication technology. Psychosexual therapy through modern communication technology has high chances of success when the couple share much in common. The mutual blocks among a couple such as lack of cooperation can herald numerous difficulties while offering psychosexual therapy (Branney & Barkham, 2006). Another challenge that may be encountered while using modern communication technology to deliver psychosexual therapy encompasses the loss of non-verbal cues. The ability of the therapist to make a full assessment, as well as diagnosis of the client, may be impeded by the lack of non-verbal communication, which plays an essential role in delivering psychosexual therapy. Some of the most crucial nonverbal cues lost in psychosexual therapy using modern communication technology include characteristics such as memory function, speech, as well as medical conditions that may relate to psychological symptoms. The impairment of the ability to come up with adequate diagnosis has adverse effects. The online therapists cannot develop appropriate plans for the treatment of the clients. As a result, the resulting treatment interventions may have detrimental impacts on the clients (Carlino, 2011). A notable challenge posed by the use of modern communication technologies in psychosexual therapy, as perceived by therapists, includes the potential for miscommunication in the therapy based on texts. This increases the risks of causing harm to clients and reminds them of the emotional injuries, which may have impacts of traumatizing the clients. Another challenge related to miscommunication entails the fact that there is no interpersonal communication in text messaging. According to Abney & Maddux (2004), another challenge that may be encountered while using modern communication technology in psychosexual therapy includes harshness, which is associated with the use interactive text-based communication. As a result, it may be challenging and extremely difficult to address the conflicting motivations of the clients. Lack of a clear understanding between the client and the therapist may make the client feel hurt. This results from the fact that clients of psychosexual therapy may perceive the response of the therapist as rejecting. It is vital that the client visits the therapist, failure to which may make it difficult for the client to integrate and interpret the comments from the therapist. This may even make clients withdraw from the psychosexual therapy process, leaving their issues unsolved (Abney & Maddux, 2004). Strengths and effectiveness of the process of psychosexual therapy using modern communication technology Apart from the challenges of delivering psychosexual therapy using modern communication technology, there are strengths that the use of modern communication technology in psychotherapy has. First, psychotherapy delivered through modern communication technology allows for flexibility in delivering services. Clients benefit from the online guidance offered by therapists despite minimal contact with the therapist. Clients need not visit the therapist at the therapist's workplace; this means that therapists can offer the necessary help at the convenience of the clients. Clients can receive therapy while at their own homes, and they do not have to travel all the way to the offices of the therapist for help (Chandra, 2003). The other strength of psychosexual therapy using modern communication technology is that it provides several systems of communication, which tend to be similar to in-person psychosexual therapy. For instance, video technology enhances interaction between the clients and the therapist just like in instances when the client and the therapist meet face to face. Moreover, the variety of services offered by modern communication technology encompasses web pages, email and chat; these media tend to offer solutions to clients just like in-person counselling. The variety of platforms available to offer psychosexual therapy through modern communication technology allows for the overall success of the process. It also provides clients with diverse ways through which they can seek help from the practitioner (Carlino, 2011). A notable strength, which accompanies the use of modern communication technology in counselling, comprises the fact that couples will most likely cooperate (Smaby & Maddux, 2010). With the advent of modern communication technologies, compliance to therapy delivered through technology has become common. Most couples will view therapy delivered online as essential since they can receive it at the comfort of their homes. The ease with which they can contact the therapists enables them to fully comply with the requirements of the therapy. Couples can freely express their demands to the therapist through the use of modern communication technology as opposed to face-to-face counselling sessions. As a result, they will comply with therapy more than they would comply if they visited the therapist (Abney & Maddux, 2004). The effectiveness of using modern communication technology in delivering psychosexual therapy stems from the fact that clients do not need to have prior experience in order to incorporate the use of technology in treatment. When they experience the advantages of using modern communication technology, clients will most likely adopt the use of the devices even without any prior experience (Bernard & Goodyear, 2004). Clients who have undergone severe damages may incorporate the use of technological devices since they may not want to face the therapist. Research shows that even those clients who fear technology can be able to master and use these technologies regularly. This happens with ease when the psychotherapist shows the clients how they can use these devices. Therefore, the ease of use serves as some strength that facilitates the incorporation of modern communication technology in psychosexual therapy (Abney & Maddux, 2004). Text-based communication also allows both the therapist and the client to consider as well as edit their communication, which serves as a significant advantage over the use of in-person psychosexual therapy. Text communication encompasses the writing of essays of small scale; this can be equated to the traditional writing of letters. The use of communication technology in psychosexual therapy minimizes the visits of clients to the psychotherapists. This ensures that clients who may be located further away from where the therapists can access the services without having to go to the workplace of the therapist. As a result, there is no wastage of time, which could result from making regular visits to the therapist (Branney & Barkham, 2006). Conclusion In conclusion, the use of modern communication technology has become a common phenomenon in today’s psychosexual therapy. Therapists perceive that the inclusion of modern forms of communication in therapy is crucial as well as essential. 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