ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part explores the similarities and differences and provides different online applications of online therapy groups. It suggests ways to increase the impact of the online group therapist’s presence to compensate for the absence of the body. The part draws the attention of the readers to how much we ignore important events that happen in the background in online groups. It focuses on the fact that the therapist is not controlling the setting as in-person groups, and wonders what it means for the dynamic administration of the group. The part describes two different kinds of online groups. The first is a three years long-term therapy group using an Internet forum. The second group used online video games to treat children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The game helped these children to learn how to collaborate with others.
