ABSTRACT
Introduction The impact of the internet on our social and business lives meant that the use of typed text surged before much sense could be made of how or when it was appropriate. The need to meet face-to-face or make a telephone call was replaced with the speed and ease of sending an email. In addition, the use of mobile phone short message services (‘texting’) has also meant that the spoken word has found a back seat in our interaction with one another. The implications for the future of communication within society in the light of these technological developments is not the remit of this chapter, but it is worth noting how this has demanded a rush in development of electronic mental health provision and therapy in particular. The essential point is that the widespread use of text communication in internet therapy provision has happened despite concern with and lack of evidence about its appropriateness or efficacy.
