How might the persons computer skills, knowledge, platform, and internet access affect the therapy?
The ability to benefit from online therapy will be partly determined by the client’s computer skills and knowledge, especially if the communication setting involves installing and learning new software and/or hardware. If the person seems to communicating efficiently and accurately within the setting of choice, no further assessment of the person’s skills may be necessary. If therapy will move to another setting, it is important to assess the extent to which an online client is able to effectively use the computer hardware and software at his/her disposal to communicate in a manner which feels natural and allows for nuance in describing and expressing oneself. Part of the assessment process might involve a trial stage in which the therapist and client test out the communication pathway between them, without yet having established a commitment to the therapy.
