ABSTRACT
In historical perspective, people have sought advice from books and mutual aid societies going back many centuries. Erudite discussion of how to live wisely and healthily has ancient origins. Present-day exhortations of a similar nature still have mass appeal. Do-it-yourself (DIY) therapy falls on a continuum with philosophy, religion, and entertainment. There is a weak link in the argument that stepped care, beginning with low-cost interventions, ultimately saves costs for healthcare providers. T. Haug and colleagues found that face-to-face contact showed the greatest advantage for overcoming specific phobias and post-traumatic stress. Communication in e-therapy is indirect, and in this way it differs from face-to-face therapy. An alternative interpretation of the effectiveness of e-therapy is that the educational material supplied is capable of providing insight into the nature of a problem. The research evidence tends to show that a guiding hand from an actual professional produces a better outcome than pure self-help alone.
